The Good, the Bad and the INTERNET …
You know that the Internet is an amazing tool, it's allowed us to do life and business in an entirely new way, it's made many aspects of life so much easier ...
There are so many great points, BUT ... and it's a big but ...
Unlike other forms of media, there are no journalistic controls, no ethics and totally anonymous posts that can be totally fraudulent, totally defamatory and also just plain downright disgraceful ...
From personal experience, I have had things posted about my family, about me privately, even my home address and phone number, people called me a fraud, a conman, a ripoff guy and so much more ... ALL ANONYMOUSLY and I cannot get it taken down ...
If you think it gets me mad, it used to ... not anymore ... because while it seems you cannot fight back, you can ...
Here's what do you do if you are attacked on the Internet ... ?
5 things that are vital ...
1. Answer EVERY allegation with total transparency but only do it on a site that YOU CONTROL ... never answer on their site, put a link from their site to a site you control ...
2. Give your good customers, team members and clients a place to speak up, a place to be heard and seen, allow them to post their own replies ... get the positive voices out there ... hope you can comment here and do just that ...
3. Make sure you control the search and domain of your name, build strength in your site and many other sites with your name in them, for example, I have not just www.bradsugars.com, but also www.aboutbradsugars.com, www.askbradsugars.com and www.actionspeakslouderthanwords.com ...
4. Make sure you are linked to from as many other sites as possible ... get other people writing about you and talking about you and linking to your sites ...
5. Blog, Facebook, Tweet, LinkedIN and get yourself out there and let people know who you really are ...
If you are one of my coaches, franchisees or clients, or one of the entrepreneurs I have trained, or a reader of my books, let people know the truth about ActionCOACH ...
Have a great day ... Brad Sugars
I have known Brad and been part of this amazing business coaching business for almost 10 years. You and ActionCoach have not only changed the lives of my wife & I, but the way we relate to our kids & now grandkids!
I am truly grateful to Brad for the opportunity to be part of this business and to help change the lives of thousands of people we have contact with every year. In our other lives we are associate pastors of a growing positive church.
As the leader of ActionCoach, you have many more raving fans than you have knockers…… so keep going with the vision. That’s what will change the world isn’t it?
Hi Brad, I have been with Action for 5.5 years now. My decision to start as a coach was made with total transparency and Action has simply got better and better with each pasing month. After 4 years …to quote Victor Kyam..” i loved the product so much , I bought the company” and I invested heavily to become a Master Licensee. This is a great business with a fantastic purpose. How many businesses can truely say they add value to peoples lives on the scale that Action does? Not many.
Losers knock and criticise with anonymity, leaders stand up and get on with the business in hand. Keep up the “great” work Brad and Action Team.
From Portugal – Europe.
A very small country in the corner of Europe with less habitants than a big city in the USA and with 20 BusinessActionCOACH’es – Words for what?
Go get them!
I started to work with Brad 3.5 years ago. It was a decision that changed my life for the best and forever. It has been a journey of personal and financial growth.
I will always be gratefull to Brad and to the impact that himself and Action had in my life.
Hi Brad,
Good tips.
Any anonymous post/mail has to be immediately disregarded. Internet should not be different from real life, if somebody has something to complain about, there are a bunch of channels to do it straight with you, Action is quite a transparent organization in that sense. Anybody not using those channels is losing any credibility
As the initiator of ACTIONCOACH in France, I can confirm that to practice as a part of ActionCOACH franchise means that we are in a very professionnal business helping business owners to live better and to do always better and the fact that Mr Brad Sugars is always focussed in improving and helping his franchisees to do better, with great success, proves that personnal ethic and business are closely linked together in his mind. As somebody helping to build a new and positive activity in France, I am proud of being part of actioncoach team here and to be a proactive actor in SME’s developement. When somebody, as Brad does, creates something great, there are always people contesting, which is somewhere a sign of something significant and changing the life is happening… Thousand of coaches and clients are able to confirm this…Thank you again to Brad Sugars and his team from France…
Brad thank you for the advice.
The internet is a valuable means of communication and marketing. As with any means of communication and deliverable of information there are positives, negatives, and varying opinions disseminated. That’s a good thing because it stimulates discussion and hopefully the best resolutions to issues and problems. However information that is unfounded or not substantiated and propagated by nameless individuals who hide behind their right to voice their opinions; criticize, lie, and demean yet won’t give their names; how can their opinion be even considered or believed. Why should they be afraid.
I have been an Action Coach since 2002. I have seen the organization grow and help 1000’s of businesses improve and the owners now have better lives as a result of being coached. Has it always been smooth sailing? No! That is not the fault of Brad Sugars, ActionCOACH, or other members of the ActionCOACH Team. That is my fault for choosing not to use the resources and to not reach out to the Members of the Team at different times, who are always willing to help contribute to my success and the success of my clients. It seems as though those who were not successful and who may now be trying to discredit ActionCOACH are those who made a choice to not be successful, have a scarcity mentality, and it was all about them instead of the people and businesses who need us to achieve their goals and Vision.
Thank you Brad and continued success and quest toward our Vision.
I have been with ActionCOACH for a little over 5 years now and just renewed my license for another 5 years! Being part of the Action community has been the best thing I have done for myself and the clients I have worked with. This company is built on continuous growth both personally and professionally. I know from personal experience that it pays off in every aspect of my life. Unfortunately some people never understand that to have a better life you have to learn and grow. My guess is people who complain about Action or any other company that does what we do is that they are stuck and until they become unstuck their lives are going to be unfulfilling. I wish them the best. I must say however if you don’t have the balls to put you name to your complaint then it really has no validity.
I thank you Brad for your continuous pushing for all of us to be the best we can be.
I will attest that my experience with action Coach has been fantastic.The culture and the personal growth has enable me to create a new business with substantial growth opportunities. I am grateful to have met the people associated with Action Coach and am fulfilled with the knowledge of the clients I have been able to help and the coaches I have met and recruited to positively changed their lives!
I have been with ActionCOACH since 2001. This has been a fantastic business for me and an absolutely amazing experience – long may it continue. The ActionCOACH Business, the people in it, the culture, the clients and the suppliers and supporters of ActionCOACH has been phenominal. Through the ActionCOACH business I have stepped onto the Entreprenuerial Ladder, I have coached dozens and dozens business owners, changing their lives for the better, as part of this I have massively grown both professionally and personally and an even more amazing side-effect of being part of ActionCOACH is the transformation of my whole family, including my wife and my two daughters. All of my immediate family have worked in the ActionCOACH business at some stage and they all have been exposed to the success principles we adopt and teach – what more could a husband and father offer his family…the knowledge and wisdom how to succeed in life.
In addition to these experiences, the Global travel that we have been exposed to as part of our own training and development to regional and global conferences have been real family adventures that we have all loved.
We love this business – Thank You to Brad Sugars for starting the company and ‘Thank You’ to all the people in the ActionCOACH Business on a Global level whom collectively make this business the amazing journey it is.
Great post. Brought up some interesting memories for me . . .
Over the years I’ve worked with Olympic Gold Medallists, well known performers, authors and individuals who have built huge organisations.
At one stage I only worked with millionaires.
What was interesting was that, despite all the great work that these people did, there were always some who would criticise them or who just didn’t like them or their results.
In each case I knew each of these people personally and well. I saw them in personal and professional situations and in a number of cases met and mixed with their families. Their willingness to share was (initially) surprising and refreshing.
I was surprised initially as I really didn’t know what to expect from those who really are in the 1% of the 1%.
The biggest difference I always noticed was that millionaires and leaders always looked for a way to make something work. It was always a “how can we make this happen?” approach.
Conversely, I’ve dealt with people who don’t like the honesty and the openness that comes with dealing with such successful individuals.
And it’s far easier to criticise than to truly look within and see what needs to change internally. The alternative approach here was “That won’t work . . .”
I first met you 6 years ago Brad when I came along to the Action International (as it used to be named) conferences as the partner of one of your Coaches. I was thrilled by the welcome I got from everyone, including you. Since then I’ve been so impressed that I got involved in my partner’s business and – more recently – bought into ActionCOACH myself.
Having set up a training and consultancy company in 1997 I saw what you were delivering to business owners around the world and realised it was far superior to anything I could offer as an individual.
I have always appreciated your honesty and directness. Thank you.
What a great environment you have created around the world.
It’s not for everyone and some will prefer to criticise . . . so be it.
Doesn’t mean we have to drop to their level.
It is frustrating though . . . but in the end everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
The great news is that with a growing team, a growing organisation, and your positive approach then there will be more people with positive opinions who are being impacted by you in their businesses and their lives.
So my favourite quote to share with you now is “live long and prosper!”
With every good wish to you Brad.
Brad Sugars is an inspiration. I got involved with ActionCOACH very early in their development over here in Australia and have seen the business grow from strength to strength over the years. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Results speak louder than words.
I started my business with ActionCOACH 8 years ago, and I’ve know Brad Sugars since then. It’s the best business desicion I’ve ever made.
In Mexico we say “No soy monedita de oro” (I’m not a gold coin) to be liked by everyone. When you’re number one, there´s always the guy that talks bad about you without probes, and keeps anonymous because he has no probes.
Good advice Brad, thanks.
I have personally known Brad Sugars for the past seven years. I not only have a very successful business with ActionCoach, I have both renewed and expanded my businesses within Action. In my entire career, I have chosen to be associated with #1 organizations. Examples of that include flying rescue helicopters with the U.S. Air Force, a 23 year very successful career with Procter & Gamble and now 7 years with ActionCOACH. All three #1 organizations who have chosen to give back to their countries, communities and many charities. Brad Sugars does all three. I also choose to associate with people who choose to enroll and inspire. Brad Sugars is a true leader and I am very happy to be part of a coaching community that is truly #1
I joined ActionCOACH 5 years ago this week, and it is the best business decision I have ever made. I have learned not just about business, but about life, from Brad Sugars and all of the wonderful franchise owners that make up this amazing business.
It is a shame that there are jealous petty people out there, but our culture and values teach us to stay above the line and get the results instead of going below the line and complaining about our lack of results.
The results in my life have been amazing – Thanks Brad!
I really think that Brad Sugars is someone who has been contributing many great things to this world. Espesially in Indonesia where I live. The system he invented within ActionCOACH has been helping hundreds, even thousands, of business owners here in Indonesia to have a better business, better self, and therefore better life!
Thank you Brad for your contribution to our nation’s progress, and keep changing lives of people out there!
I joined Action when there were 19 coaches in the US and less than 200 world wide. Since then, we have helped more than a thousand business owners (just in NC & CT) become more successful based on what Brad Sugars started in Brisbane and which grew over time.
The business is great for the right people – ones who want to help others achieve great things as well as themselves. The business is also great for people that are willing to put in the effort needed to run a business. That rule applies to any business.
My thanks to Brad and the team for continuing to improve the ActionCOACH offering to the marketplace so that we can help more owners succeed.
The internet is a mirror reflecting life, and that reflection contains both the good and the bad. It seems logical that the mirror would also reflect some negativity, as there always seem to be negative people around. I am taught that “what other people think of me is none of my business”, but it takes courage to apply that principal when I am forced to see it spelled out in the internet.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have to change the lives of others using ActionCOACH as my platform. I am grateful for Brad Sugars’ “invention” and the Action system. Thank you Brad for these tips.
This has been an amazing journey for me and my business partner, Bill McLaughlin. If you are fed up with the whims and whacks of the corporate world or you have been consulting and find the income inconsistent…ActionCOACH is a perfect landing for you.
Brad Sugars and his team have built a culture of abundance that supports the concept of the more you give the more you get. Therefore the environment is positive and supportive and allows you to succeed to the extent that you can dream and have the commitment to achieve.
I have been with ActionCOACH since 2003. Being part of this community has taken me to a business and personal growth that I would not have seen being in the corporate world for over 20 years. This company continues to reinvent itself and add new innovations to the business world all the time. It surrounds itself and takes up alliances with great business leaders and icons in the world which in itself has a lot to say about Brad Sugars and ActionCOACH already.
This has and continues to enrich my life my family and friends around me. Thanks Brad for your leadership and the growth of ActionCOACH that has global presence and growing.
After 6 years with Action Coach I still have not got used to the challenges that come my way from my clients and coaches, but most of all from my colleagues. The highest level of accountability will always make the cream rise to the top, and to work and play inside this culture brings out the best in me. It’s not for everyone, but if you think you’d like to go to places you’ve never been before in you personal and professional life, come check it out.
I have been an Action Business Coach and known Brad Sugars for 6 years now. The personal journey I have been on during that time has been fantastic. Wish I’d done this 20 years ago! The ride hasn’t always been smooth, but isn’t that the same in many aspects of life. The people who win in life are the people with the right attitide and the hard working.
I have only known Brad to be a fair and honest person. And the new material that comes out of his mind and the R&D dept is difficult to keep up with.
As a franchise I would say ActionCOACH is up there with the best on the world, however, you have to reach out and take what’s offered.
I guess some people don’t do that.
Keep going Brad, I love it when you’re involved!
I am constantly thrilled with the talented people that ActionCOACH attracts. Doctors, lawyers, acccountants, bankers, senior executives, successful business owners … people who have incredible business acumen and coaching skills. Just ask their clients!
I was coached by an ActionCOACH 9 years ago and joined the organization quite soon afterward. The past 8 years have been a journey of education, enlightenment and joy. I can’t imagine any other organization having such incredible tools available to them. The true gratification comes from seeing clients have more success and satisfaction in their businesses and lives.
How many businesses are now thriving because of what Brad Sugars has created?
Being part of ActionCOACH we get to make such an amazing difference for people. The positive principles that Brad Sugars established keep growing and help business owners achieve anything from sleeping better at night to accomplishing larger life goals.
Personally we are always challenged to learn, grow and overcome in a positive way. It is an exciting journey and brings great rewards.
I have been with ActionCOACH for over 5 years and have made the choice to spend the next few years with this amazing and constructive organization.
Hi Brad, some interesting comments.
I am not a student, franchisee, member or what ever. I have read one of your books and have met people who have implemented the teachings you gave them. Their lives have made massive transformation.
My comments are a result of meeting those people.
People’s opinion about you is their opinion. There is strength and power in not responding to negativity or having to justify who you are and what you have done. Your professionalism, truth and integrity speaks for itself.
Allow those who believe in you speak for you from their hearts. You have touched so many people around the world and have helped hundreds of thousands improve their lives. That is your legacy.
The Truth will make itself known to those who seek it.
I have been with ActionCoach since October 2007. Both as a nominated operator attached to an ActionCoach Firm and as an Independent ActionCoach. During this time I have been mentored by Brad Sugars through the ActionCoach Business Coaching Franchise System. Developed by Brad Sugars, ActionCoach has enabled me, a mother of two young children and living in a remote location, to transform my life, that of my family and more importantly the lives of my clients. Through Brad’s books, coaching system, leadership, entrepreneurial example and network of professional business coaches – I am continually presented with learning opportunities and find myself growing both personally and professionally.
As other people did, when I decided to join Actioncoach at the end of 2007 ,it was because this company developed quickly and seriously a very usefull and amazing business.
Helping business owners to grow both personnally and professionally is a great opportunity, a business of course but also a choice in our life. We have this challenge in France too.
I met great personalities in Actioncoach community around the world . Thanks to its creator :Brad Sugars
I have been around ActionCOACH since I was 12 when my Dad became a business coach with the organisation. I would not have got the opportunities that I have had without my family joining ActionCOACH. We moved to the UK when I was 14 and went to seven different countries in our first year, we have been able to shout my extended family from New Zealand over to the UK and also to disneyland in L.A. We have achieved all of this and much more through ActionCOACH. My dad was recieving presents and postcards every month from his clients to say thankyou for his coaching sessions and for the opportunities that he has given them. I’m now 20 and work in the ML office and recruit Coaches like my dad so that I can help them to give their families and their community the opportunities that my family had.
The use of the internet can be an abuse or opportunity to speak out on issues that impact lives positively. It should not be a platform for rumors and vendettas, it should be news worthy and truthful. I know that is the ideal not what is realistic. No one is trained on proper use of communication on the internet and we do live in a free speech nation. Brad Sugars has developed the most successful coaching business model on the planet and because this is the truth, want a be duplicators take every opportunity to tear him down. As my grandpa used to say you can never build yourself up by tearing good people down. The cream will always rise to the top and no one likes sour milk.
Great tips on how to protect your image and reputation on the internet. I have watched what has happened to Brad Sugars on the internet over the last couple of years and it has been very apparent to me that anyone including myself or my family can also become a victim. Brad has built one of the most incredible organizations for personal and professional growth in the world. ActionCOACH has been breaking down walls and blazing a trail for other Coaching companies to follow for the last 15 years. There is no doubt that this business is one of the most challenging professions to enter but the pay off whether it is financial or in personal growth is well worth the investment.
The environment that ActionCoach (Brad Sugars) has provided is one of the most stimulating that I have found in my working life (30+years).I have had the pleasure of knowing Brad on both a professional and personal level for the last 8 years. Six of those years as the Global CEO of ActionCoach. In that time I have heard every rumour, inuendo and lie printed about Brad and it is quite disappointing how low some people are prepared to go.
Brad’s aim has always been to help his coaches, and their clients get the best from themselves and their business’s,and I must also acknowledge that there has been plenty of support for Brad from coaches and business owners alike. Is he perfect, well no, but who is????
I am now back with ActionCoach after 18 months of pursuing other interests and I am proud to be back in this environment, and I now look forward to leading the Australian network of great business coaches.
I joined ActionCOACH 3 years ago in 2006 as a BDM (part of the Master Licensee team recruiting coaches) Since then I have introduced 26 coaches to ActionCOACH. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing ActionCOACH change the new coaches lives for the better and then see them change their clients lives. Brad Sugars is a fantastic guy who is so passinate about business coaching, extremely clever, very hands on, inspirational, and has helped me personally with my role and to motivate me to achieve my goals. I would never look back and in 2010 I will become an ActionCOACH.
Pieter Scholtz and I brought ActionCOACH into South Africa in mid-2007 after having done our proper due diligence locally and internationally. The open and honest way in which the ‘bad publicity’ is managed continues to amaze me and I encourage anyone to talk to coaches, here and around the world, and get a sense for themselves what the business is like. As part of my due diligence I even spoke to coaches who were leaving the franchise but praised the system and business nevertheless.
We continued with the sizeable investment and task of taking on the Master License for a developing economy and haven’t regretted the decision even once. The journey has been a fascinating one with ActionCOACH across the board having a genuine commitment to making everyone within the franchise a success in ‘their’ individual franchised business.
The renewed energy and focus as well as the growth over the past two years since I’ve joined has been truly remarkable.
I am aware of the discussion on this topic and happy to say I have neither come across the offensive material nor has anyone else brought it to my attention. That being said, I am reminded of what my Mother told me many years ago regarding how I respond to criticism of any type (constructive or otherwise): Consider the source. Someone who REALLY cares about my success, well-being, and challenges AND whom I respect will always have my ear. The others who believe that they build themselves up by tearing someone else down have no credibility and if they compound their malice by expressing it anonymously, they position themselves as cowards.
Business coaching is the perfect profession for me and joining ActionCOACH was the absolute right decision. Brad Sugars has delivered on his vision and a day never goes by that I don’t see new ways that he is working to help coaches and their customers be more successful. My only regret is that I didn’t discover ActionCOACH earlier in my career.
Brad Sugars is the real deal.
You’re right Brad, transparency is key. I know first hand what you’re talking about but thankfully the people that matter and have a clue know better than to trust some anonymous random flake posting lies to benefit their own personal interests.
You are appreciated my friend – serving others is the highest calling.
Hey Brad, Great tips indeed and a powerful lesson for us all to follow.
Lots of jealous people out there who look on success as a bad thing and believe it is incorrect for people to be successful and therefore bringing them down is all they know.
My experience of ActionCOACH and you, Brad Sugars, as an individual are all highly positive. The lessons I have learned from you and the company vehicle I’m now part of have enriched not only myself but the business people I have the pleasure to coach.
That journey started in Sep 07 and continues to be the single best career/business related decision I’ve ever made in my life and was certainly a defining moment.
Thanks and keep up all the good work to drown out and sink those that choose to put down the successes
Brad Sugars is an amazing character. Focused straight forward and quick in pursuing his goals. I met him in person 2 years ago and since I have learn´t more about business mechanics and mind setting than in my previously 35 yrs of work. How I wish I´ve met ActionCOACH 10 yrs ago when I had a prosperous business with a team of in excess of 140 people.
His devotion to his team and to the development of his ActionCOACH system franchise should be an example to many public figures. I believe in Brad Sugars !
It happens in a snap!
A life changing event like a wake up call.
That’s what an evening at Brad Sugars seminar did for me and my wife.
After 15+ years of running our own business slogging 7 days a week long hours not much reward we have prospered and grown to own an actioncoach franchise and other interests which allow us a privelleged life style.
We are greatful every day for the life we have and I can say with my hand on my heart that Brad Sugars is our mentor and inspiration to achieve this and much more.
To the nay sayers (which I have not seen or heard) call me or email me, I am not alone in my success through Brad’s vehicle.
Working with my wife Lynn in the ActionCOACH Business in the UK was transformational for me, my clients and my family.
After a very successful 5 years working in the UK, I was invited to work out of the Las Vegas Global Office for ActionCOACH in the position of Director of Training – a position I currently hold..
The common thread through all my decisions in my journey with ActionCOACH is one person – Brad Sugars. It has been my privilege to know Brad both personally and professionally for over 6 years now – there are only two people in the world I would relocate my family 6000 miles for, I’m married to one, and Brad Sugars is the other.
ActionCOACH is a unique community of Coaches, ML’s, Support Teams, and of course Clients – I have the best job in the world; the best team in the world to do it with; and a great leader inspiring us all the way – Brad Sugars…
The amazing thing about the world is its diversity, and this includes diversity of attitude and opinion. You’ve got to love it. History is replete with great and inspiring leaders … and liars, slanderers and victims. Can’t have one without the other. I’ve learn’t more in 10 years from Brad Sugars and his ActionCOACH knowledge system than I did in 30 years in great and respected Fortune 100 companies. And perhaps the most critical truth I got is that we can all choose to play either as victim or as leader. Leaders aren’t concerned with who plays victim or how they play. They’ve got inspiring things to do to change the world – which even eventually helps the same victims who want to pull them down. ActionCOACH is a company of leaders. Are you a leader or a victim? Leaders play in the real world in the full light of day, victims play in the obscure internet world in the shadows of their darkened computer rooms. Your choice. That’s diversity.
I am an Action coach in Galway, a small west of Ireland city of 70,000+ inhabitants,I have been an Action coach for almost 4yrs now and without a doubt both ActionCOACH and Brad Sugars has made a massive impact on my life and the lives of my clients throughout Ireland. Cowards and malcontents hide and blame others for their failures, often forgetting to review their own role in their failures, much easier to blame others than take positive action.
Some very good advice there. The internet can be a very useful tool but can be used to destroy reputations.
I agree that the social networking sites are a great way to get your point across when your reputation is being “dragged through mud”, but the social networking sites can be used by these same journalists to put a story together.
Use good judgement when posting anything on social network sites!
Very informative post, The internet is a very powerful tool that if not handled with the proper care can be very harmful. I have found it great tool for fast business start ups. Thanks for your sharing your SEO tips.
Brad Sugars hired me as his UK & Ireland General Manager in December 2001, exposing me to how Action’s teachings & methodology, coupled with the power of Action’s global network of great business coaches, was transforming the business and lives of its clients for the better. Within two months, I’d seen enough to want to invest everything I had and get started as an Action Master Licensee.
Over the last decade, I’ve got to know Brad as a family man, a friend, a business partner, a speaker, a writer, a trainer, a business coach, a mentor and a manager. I’ve played golf with Brad and visited his home and family in Las Vegas several times. My time with Brad Sugars and the team at ActionCOACH has led me to the majority of my most profound and profitable learnings. Yes, he’s made the occasional mistake (who hasn’t?), but he has always wanted the very best for his coaches’ businesses and lives and the very best for Action clients’ businesses and lives.
Ten years on, we have franchisees making more money than I thought possible. Critically, our business coaches’ rewards are both fulfilling and motivating and their income is sustainable, because the biggest winners are our clients, their employees and their families … even in the midst of this recession, we have clients more than doubling their business and more than halving the hours that they need to work in their business as a direct result of Action coaching.
Little wonder then, that some of the most successful organisations in the world, who have the business acumen to judge us by our results, want to partner and associate themselves with ActionCOACH.