Q and A Section updated 01/2007)

 

The following answers and questions are ones that I typically get over and over again. I have tried to arrange them in logical order – but it is best if you just skim over the questions and see which ones interest you.

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How much should I charge a client for an assessment?

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This is a complex question based on many variables and uses. We discuss this in classes and on other teleclasses all the time. I can’t speak for others but here are some rules of thumb:

· Never charge more than retail

· if used as part of your coaching – build it into you price or first month fees or as a package including the debriefing session (based on your fees for your area)

· if part of training or for a group, pass on the savings to the client or at least discount it some. It wins good favour and this is a tool to enhance your service and should not be viewed as a money making product.

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What does the client have to have access to, to take the assessment?

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Each person must have his or her own email account (or access to one) to take the assessment. An email address can be used twice for more than one individual member. All observers that will be chosen need an email address and again that email address can be used by different members, but only sent out once by each member. Individuals should also have access to a computer and printer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can I take back a credit (assessment) if a client does not take the assessment?

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YES. Go into your associate site, go to distributed assessments, look for the person’s name. Click on modify and then click on delete . . . the credit will go back into your account.

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My client isn’t completing the assessment. What could be the reason?

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Sometimes clients need reminders and sometimes they may not have received the notification. Go to the View Distributed Assessments page and check to make sure that you put in the right email address. You are always able to send numerous reminders if a client does not complete the assessment. The letter is the same but it is marked “reminder”. Sometimes, emails from our system are blocked by the ISP or there may be a fire wall. If it was not received the first time, and you resend it – it might go through or be blocked by the client’s ISP. That is why the member site now has direct links to mail out if the ISP is blocking. More often, however, the browser needs to be a certain level and that IS explained in the letter. I do have people on Netscape in the government who ask me to send it to their home email. One person in the very same section couldn’t get it to work but the other three could. The most “Technical” difficulties I have encountered are those sent to the big organizations like the government, IBM is another and is due to their own systems. It is rarely an issue with the site although it may appear to be.

Check with your client and if they still have not received the notification you will need to send the link out manually. Go to view assessments distributed in your admin panel and look for the link that says “members not getting email?” Then you find the appropriate link for the person and send it is a separate email from you personally.

 

The 30 days (and 60 days) does NOT start until they complete the assessment – so there is no need to reset the date.

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Is there a mechanism with the site that shows me whether the members have selected people to send the assessment to, how many people they asked, and what is happening with those assessments being done?

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Absolutely not – this is standard in any multi-rater or should be. It is an issue of confidentiality. All you can do is check the e-Graph and see if any observers have actually completed it and then if necessary – contact your client to find out what is happening. The client controls all info about the observers.
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Is there a reminder letter that can be sent to those people invited to do the assessment as requested by the member, if it looks like not many responses are coming in?

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Yes – but the client sends it. You can only encourage them to do so and / or send out more invitations. By the way, they too can modify their invitation letter to suit their needs just as you modify your own letter that you distribute to your own clients. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My client isn’t getting observer feedback what should I do?

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First you need to determine if the client has sent out any requests for observers. Socializers will do it a lot – they love this sort of thing. Relaters tend to send out a few to close acquaintances and will need to be encouraged to send more as a few come in. They tend to be more reserved about it until they see some results. Directors will send it out to quite a lot of observers or not at all. Some don’t see the practicality of the exercise while other love the task and data orientation of the eGraph. Don’t be surprised it you have trouble getting Thinkers to send out any – even though they love data they are the most skeptical and suspicious quadrant. I have discovered that regardless of the prep work – 33% of observers will not complete the assessment on a person. I am very clear to let clients know this and to encourage them to send reminders. One third do it right away, one third need to be reminded and one third just won’t do it. Some observers will give various excuses but I find it boils down to these three reasons (and sometimes all):

1 They hate or are intimidated by technology.

2 They don’t feel that they know the person well enough. (Socializers will generally do this EVEN if they don’t know you all that well. Thinkers generally NEVER feel that they have enough info to give an opinion. I am constantly researching various assessments and always ask different styles to “try it out”. I have a dear friend who is a Thinker who I continual have to beg to fill these things out on me as he does know me extremely well but hates assessments. Sometimes he will and sometimes he never quite has the time to get around to it!)

3 They don’t “trust” anything to do with assessments, confidentiality or giving out of any info.

This percentage of non-completion tends to increase as you invite a greater number of observers. Why? Because you increase the amount of people who actually do not know you as well.

Finally there must also be three observers in EACH sub category for a composite average to be marked on the eGraph.

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How long does a member have access to the data?

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Clients have 30 days to send out observers – at any time they can send more. Then another 30 days to access the data. To send them out, a client needs to log in. That can be done that from any computer by going to www.AssessmentsNow.com clicking on Member Login button and putting in the username and password.

There is NO data held on any computer at all. If someone has forgotten the login data – there is a place to request it from the system.

When the 60 days are up – clients are given an option of extending the time for an additional $9.95 for 60 days with full observer capability or $5.95 for 30 days to just access the data.

Associate and Corporate accounts have permanent access to each client’s eGraph and Report.

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How does the affiliate program work?

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The affiliate program has been discontinued but there are some other options.

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How do I get statistics for people who have taken the assessment?

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You can now get your own style breakdown for your own Associate Account – total users. Log into your administrative page and click on the Plot Assessments link. Look for the following right under the title page: FEATURE: Click here for a style breakdown These statistics include ALL members who have completed the assessment from your account.

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How secure is the site?

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It is very secure. There is an icon at the bottom of the direct sales page – it is secure through GeoTrust.

Every PLS has an SSL – secure certificate – associated with it. When an Assoc. or Corp account goes to the ORDER ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS pop-up order box, it is encrypted with the https:

Try it. When the box comes up, right click – then click on properties – then under the Address (URL) it will show the https:

On a related issue, we do not “collect” email addresses unless they have purchased items or subscribed. Any one can see the privacy policy from the link at the bottom of EACH page:https://assessmentsnow.com/privacy.asp?privacy=platinum

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What are your plans regarding translations?

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The assessment is now available on line in French, German and Swedish – ONLY at Assessments Now and only through an Associate. The translated assessments are not available to “end users”. Individuals interested in taking the assessment in another language must contact an Associate or Roberta directly. Both the member assessment and the observer assessment are in the language of choice. The reports and interactive site remains in English. (The French Canadian version does have the reports available in French as well as English.) Costs for proper translation and interpretation of an assessment can be expensive. While all efforts are taken to ensure a valid interpreted version, there is no guarantee. Should ANY Associate or Corporate Account wish to develop their own translated versions and they intend to be regular users of The Platinum Rule, Assessments Now will split the costs for coding and loading it up onto the server. Since two versions of the instrument are required (client and observer) this usually requires quite some time for the technical people to program. Average costs are around $1,000 USD. Future changes will be charged separately but start at $100 for any modification or correction.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to get posted on the site and stay current?

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Many of you are listed on the “find a coach” page and I look forward to the rest of you getting listed. I do have some requirements to remain active that you might want to check out. ( http://www.wghill.com/coaching.htm )

To be listed on the web site “Find a Coach”

· be an independent adjunct associate

· complete the training

· use the assessment with four or five with clients

· have a brief conversation with me – letting me know that you are ready. You will be – but I like to have the option of seeing how it is going and continue to show support

· once you have used it with a group or two totaling 15 assessments, you will get an asterisk by your name which means you are fully qualified to train with the instrument.

To remain on the site once listed:

· as a coach, purchase and use a minimum of 5 per year – I feel that it is important to be using the tool in order to properly maintain a level of competence and understanding

· as a trainer, purchase and use a minimum of 10 – per year (hopefully at least with a group) AND once a year come and share some of your learning and tricks with the rest of the team for 15 minutes or more on one of our group teleclasses.

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Why do I like the Platinum Rule so much?

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In truth, on the surface, the Platinum may not appear to be much different from other traditional DISC type tools. There are lots of reasons why I went with it but it isn’t perfect nor is it right for lots of situations. I liked it because it was simple and clients wanted something they could easily understand and immediately apply. All my theory and complexity only irritated most of them (not all). I have loved Merrill and Reid’s Social Styles since the early 80′s but it wasn’t affordable. I had great success with the model over and over again in all sorts of organizations. I wanted a quick easy tool that was online, easy to use and good for groups. For years I had used MBTI in training but felt that I wasn’t being given the time anymore to do it justice.

When I found Tony’s online Platinum I was excited. I knew of his work and material for years. Once I worked with it, I decided that this would be a great tool for coaches – new and old a like. I was tired of them being pushed the MBTI or the DISC without other options. As an assessment on its own, it is quite simple but elegant. It wasn’t just the model that sold me but all the capabilities of the online system.

How the administration and features have been set up sets it far apart from the others for the cost:

· It is easy to administer from both the coach and the client. I would like to say it is idiot proof – close but not entirely.

· Emails can be customized and completion tracked.

· It is 24/7 It is not key code driven (cookies on the other hand do create their own challenges sometimes).

· Start-up costs are minimal and there are not on-going fees

· Wholesales a little more but it is more of a system

· Although it has a self rating, it has full 3 group multi-rater. This is the real power of it.

· There is now a “follow-up” category to be used in the future

· The coach / administrator has permanent access to the results and can group individual clients into groups and create various Team Charts automatically – no extra cost.

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What do I say when clients say this looks like the PCSI or the DISC?

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We do cover this in the training quite extensively. The PSCI is very similar. I have about a half dozen associates who are familiar with or use to use the PSCI and have “converted” over. What that means, is that you can basically apply your knowledge of the PSCI to The Platinum Rule and get up to speed very quickly. Technically the PSCI is drawn from the DISC. The Platinum is not BUT does have some strong comparisons and for simplicity, I usually say that it is based on Marston’s work and is a more pragmatic approach to the DISC.

However, the PSCI:

· has not (nor will be) considered reliable or valid due to its design and lack of research studies

· both paper and online – it is hard to really draw personal distinctions and although behavioral in nature, it may not really reflect true core type

· on-line version is VERY cumbersome to administer (it is getting a little easier)

· support documentation is limited

· has a coaching focus

One of the things I like to stress that this is a 4 fold model. In the training we go over the fact that the individual has the right to say what does and does not fit, and there are some generalizations. Also, these are behaviors and we learn to adapt and be flexible. We are all unique and more complex that a four box model. Remember, an assessment simply tries to measure what a model is partially representing of the real world.

We do cover other comparisons in the training.
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What is this Observer Upgrade Order on the Modify Account Pop-up?

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If you have the observer upgrade feature turned to “yes” the observer goes to the assessmentorder.asp page for the retail version. If you have the observer upgrade feature turned to “no”, they take a free version and then have the ability to upgrade to 3 different paid versions. They will take the assessment and as long as they give a valid email address, a link is sent to then for them to see a brief overview of their style. The page will also include the following script (may have been modified since this posting): So now you know your primary style. Were you surprised? But that’s only a tiny fraction of what I have to share with you. By clicking the UPGRADE BUTTON, you can register to get all of these additional tools that will show you how to apply the benefits of using The AssessmentsNow with others… 1) The Platinum Rule eWorkbook

The Platinum Rule eWorkbook helps you reinforce three keys to your success:

Understand your own style so you leverage your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.

Identify other people’s styles so you can treat them the way THEY want to be treated.

Know when and how to make tiny shifts to your own behavior so people feel warm and relaxed around you. They rapidly develop a sense of openness and trust with you.

2) Your 33-page in-depth AssessmentsNow Report

Discover your tendencies, growth opportunities, and personal empowerment pointers.

See you style and substyle on the Platinum Grid

Learn about your strengths and use them to your advantage.

Learn about your weaknesses and end much of your self-sabotage.

Find out what motivates you and unleash your own driving ambition, so you get more done with less effort.

Become aware of how you work best and put yourself in the best working environment, whether at home or in the office.

Recognize your preferred business situations so you only get involved in situations that are congruent with who you are and that support your values.

Learn how to identify the behavioral patterns of others so you can interact with them more effectively

Utilize the bullet-point suggestions on how others can treat YOU more effectively on the job and in social interactions.

Learn how to identify the styles of others and how to adapt to other styles to improve rapport

Access to both the eWorkbook and Report PLUS the ability to view your AssessmentsNow eGraph and invite observers for $29.95 You might be quite surprised because people frequently see themselves differently than how others see them. With The AssessmentsNow Behavioral Style Observer Assessment, you can acquire a unique 360 degree view of yourself by inviting an unlimited number of observers within the next 30 days to complete an assessment on you, as they see you. Invite your friends and family to take the same assessment you just took, on your behalf. You will enjoy seeing the difference in how your family and friends see you versus how your co-workers see you versus how you see yourself. And here’s the best news!You have my ironclad, unconditional 30-day money back guarantee.If you don’t feel what you get is worth many times what you paid, I want you to get your money back. I want you to be overwhelmed and overjoyed or pay nothing. You simply can’t lose here!

Click on the upgrade link below. It could positively change the rest of your life! It’s worth its weight in Platinum.