Life Beyond Business

How an entrepreneurial couple used the creative process
to redefine their lives

by Gary Ralston

Owning 5 businesses between them, Troy and Erin Treleaven, from Toronto, Canada, are true entrepreneurs. Up until this summer, life for them was busy, stressful, and at times overwhelmed by the details of keeping the businesses going. Business was life. But in June of 2003, all that changed...

Just before their annual retreat to review their businesses, Troy completed "The Fundamentals of Structural Thinking" course with Robert and Rosalind Fritz. There, he learned about the creative process, and how the principles applied to business, and to life.

At their retreat, Troy and Erin immediately applied the creative process in re-thinking and planning not only their businesses, but also their lives together. Business took a back seat as they agreed the time had come for the family they wanted. They created a 5 year plan for their life, then created plans (or structural tension charts) for each business to succeed while supporting the family plan.

So the first step was complete. They returned from the retreat with life and business in a new priority, armed with plans on paper, but despite the best of intentions, a question remained: how to manage the changes? Erin knew from experience her best goals often got lost amid the details and circumstances of daily operations. Troy knew he could stay focused on the goals, but sometimes had trouble factoring in changes in the current situation. Troy also knew the way he managed projects had to be easy and automated. As he puts it: "If I were trying to manage with paper and pencil - no way. I'd be on to something else."

Erin and Troy turned to "Alisar Charting" (www.alisarcharting.com), software for project and change management based on the work of Robert Fritz. They quickly entered their plans into the software along with their e-mail addresses, and started using it to drive their daily actions. The results were immediate and dramatic.

Each day, the Alisar Charting software e-mails Erin and Troy about pending action steps, and each evening they check off what has been accomplished that day. "It's great - my plans come and remind me," notes Erin. "I don't like to take orders from anyone, but I will take cues from my own plans in the software."

In the year leading up to The Fundamentals and Alisar Charting, Troy had a concept for a book on real estate - www.straightoptions.com - but never got around to it. He created a chart in the end of June. By the end of July the book and the supporting website were published, and are now contributing to their growing revenues across the businesses.

Troy observed: "Taking time to look at Current Reality in relation to my plan can be sobering AND enabling. This software lets me see it, manage it and make adjustments to it."

Erin also saw her procrastination fall away: "We truly have been able to accomplish things that 3 to 4 years ago, I never would have dreamed of. Before our retreat, we saw an opportunity - a local mobile sign-renting company was up for sale - but we did nothing about it.

"With the creative process using Alisar Charting, we clarified what we wanted the business to become AND brought the right team together to make it happen in short order. We came back from the retreat and bought the company in August. We worked with the business for a few months, growing it according to the plans laid out in the software."

Erin's management by the charts led her to a brand new venture - franchising the business across Canada. This possibility was not even on the radar when she first bought it. It occurred as a result of advancing the business, getting the short-term plans accomplished, and then seeing new possibilities. The first few franchises will be operational in January 2004

Troy is also a Dale Carnegie coach, and uses Alisar Charting to plan courses and projects and then to manage others. He can easily delegate the work, and since others clearly know what he wants, they can pretty much manage themselves. Beyond projects, Troy has found a place for the software in his primary work. "The charts are a great framework for coaching - helping others set goals, see reality and take action."

Troy and Erin still love building businesses, but the creative process and the planning software has given them a new perspective of their bigger dreams.

"We spend so much time together," says Erin. "These tools help us free up time and focus to build the life we want. It's really helping us live our shared goals for our marriage, our family and our lives."


[Robert's Notes:] Gary Ralston (gary@ralstonconsulting.com) is a structural consultant living in Ohio. His wife, Ann, is a member of Alisar Charting, a company that offers the best structural tension charting software available.


article (c) 2003 Gary Ralston