ActionCOACH selected as top franchise opportunity.

ActionCOACH, the world’s number one business coaching franchise, has been selected for the 2008 Franchise Business Review Franchise 50.

“We are pleased to have been recognized as one of the Franchise 50 by Franchise Business Review,” ActionCOACH CEO Brad Sugars said. “ActionCOACH prides itself on achieving business success by providing world-class franchisee support, and we look forward to continuing to work with franchise owners towards future goals.”

ActionCOACH is one of the world’s largest business coaching firms. Started by entrepreneur and CEO Brad Sugars in 1993, the company has more than 1,000 offices in 26 countries.

To learn more go to actioncoach.com.

Small Business Guru interviews Ilise Benu, founder of Marketing Mentor.

The web site, “Small Business Guru” recently interviewed Ilise Benu, founder of “Marketing Mentor.”

Available as a podcast, the interview “takeaways” include:

* Look for opportunities in the problems others around your are experiencing.
* Follow up is a fundamental – many sales have been lost due to poor follow up practices
* Marketing and self-promotion are disciplines. A practiced approach with a mentor will greatly increase your chances for success.
* Marketing should be integrated into your day to day activities — not done once a month or once a quarter.
* It’s best to focus your time and energy on a few strategic marketing activities – this will give you your best chance for success

To listen to the interview, click here.

Manera Group board member company under investigation for torturing animals.

Manera Group, a Dallas-based company that provides customized on-site executive coaching as well as assessment and talent management, has established an advisory board made up of some of the world’s leading experts in the field. The board’s role will be to advise the company on major issues affecting business strategy and direction.

Unfortunately, one of the new members is vice president for PetSmart, a company which is under investigation for torturing animals.

The new advisors include:

** Leni Wildflower, Ph.D., an executive coach, consultant, author and educator with more than 30 years experience designing programs and coaching interventions for schools, businesses and non-profits.

** Larry W. Norton, Ph.D. has been PetSmart’s vice president of organizational development since 2004 with responsibility over all levels of employee development and training, talent selection and management, succession planning and large-scale organizational change.

** Rick Fletcher is the founder and president of HRchitect, a Dallas-based Human Capital Management systems consulting firm and the market leader in Talent Management System consulting.

** Rhonda Britten, an Emmy Award-winner and repeat Oprah guest, is the founder of the Fearless Living Institute, an organization dedicated to giving anyone the tools they need to master their emotional fears.

PetSmart is being investigated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) for torturing animals. Larry Norton is one of PetSmart’s vice presidents. More information about PETA’s investigation can be found here.