Interview With Dr. Richard Harte, Developer of the National Guild of Hypnotists Training Program and the Harte System

 better you do.
Today I am excited to have the opportunity toI really like the way that you have arranged things.
interview Dr. Richard Harte, who is famous forI'm also curious if you think that this is something
putting together the National Guild of Hypnotists'that everyone should do, or if it is a better "fit" for
Train the Trainer program. But most do not knowsome people than others? Does a person need any
that he is one of THE most successful corporatespecial talent, education or experience to profit from
trainers and consultants in the profession ofThe Harte System?
hypnotism.Harte: I'd say there are three key success
I have known Dr. Harte for many years and actuallyingredients. The first is having a good imagination. If
went through his course to become a National Guildyou're the kind of person who's always looking for
of Hypnotists Certified Instructor back in 1999. Hebetter ways to do things; if you have an open mind
has influenced the development of the 5-PATH®when it comes to problem solving; if you view life's
System of Hypnotherapy by convincing me thatchallenges as opportunities for improvement instead
quality hypnotism comes from doing depth testing,of roadblocks, then you have the right mindset to be
and as a result I am a staunch advocate of this anda good trainer and corporate consultant.
have integrated testing, both covert and overt (inThe second is having a burning desire to make a
the form of convincers) into that process. 5-PATHersbetter life for you. Being a corporate consultant
around the world can thank him for making ameans being a self-starter. Although I'll be there with
substantial contribution to the success we have withyou during your first year, I can't do it for you. I will
our clients.guide you and advise you, but you will have to
Dr. Harte has probably trained more people on howactually do the work. Fortunately, my system has an
to train others to become hypnotists andaccountability component that makes success much
hypnotherapists than anyone else on Earth. However,more likely than just going it alone.
few know about the nature of his private practice,It also helps if you are intelligent, and have some
which is probably one of the most successful in themeaningful business experience. By that I mean,
profession. And, what makes his practice differenteither you've worked in a corporate or professional
from most is his approach to working withsetting for at least five years, or you've been an
corporations. I'm going to ask him about this uniqueindependent consultant, business or interpersonal
component to his professional practice that I thinkcoach, or freelance problem solver for at least five
you will find of interest.years.
Cal Banyan: So, Dr. Harte thanks for doing thisLearning the skills of assessment, goal setting and
interview. I think we are all going to learn a lot. Now Ireinforcement and encouragement, and learning how
want to tell the readers that you and I have talkedto become a good listener are taught during the
many times in the past, and you have contributed totraining. This gives people the confidence they need
the Banyan Hypnosis Mall website in so many ways,to profit from a corporate training and consulting
including doing a couple of live Meet the Pros Audiocareer.
Program mini-seminars and writing for the BanyanCal: I know that at least one of our graduates has
E-Zine. I appreciate your willingness to share so muchgone through your course and she rated it very
of what you know.highly. I also mention your program in my NGH
By the way, I want to recommend that everyoneApproved Hypnotherapy Certification courses, as well
go and listen to Dr. Harte's mini-seminars and checkas my Week of Power Advanced Hypnotherapy
out his articles as well. And, the best part is theycourses. It seems to me that now is a great time to
are all packed with information that you can use rightbecome a corporate consultant. Is that right?
now, and it is all there free for you to access at yourHarte: You are right, Cal. Today's business
convenience. You'll also see several other contributorsenvironment is a godsend for consultants. Many
as well.companies have downsized and don't want to rehire
Ok, now let me get right into this interview; I knowemployees because they realize they can get
that you have been very successful by working withqualified consultants to do a better job without
corporations, and you call the kind of work that youhaving to pay salaries, medical care, pension benefits
do with these companies "consulting." What exactly isand other overhead expenses associated with
a corporate consultant in the context of what youmaintaining employees.
do and teach?Companies are discovering that hiring a retainer-based
Dr. Richard Harte: A corporate consultant works withconsultant can be a lot more productive than hiring an
small to medium size companies offering trainingemployee even though the per-hour rate for
programs in sales persistence training, executiveconsultants is much higher than it would be for an
coaching, stress management, establishingemployee. This is because consultants usually bring
accountability and organizational consulting.more specialized skills to the table and can often get
Cal: I can really see how a business can benefit frombetter results, faster, because they are much more
having a hypnotist as a consultant, especially when itfocused and yes, even more motivated to get the
comes to stress management, accountability, andjob done.
persistence. And, you say that you recommend thatThis outsourcing trend is here to stay, which makes
hypnotist consultants focus on small to medium sizednow the best time in history to get into corporate
companies. Can you tell us more about this, becauseconsulting.
it seems to me that knowing which companies toCal: I hadn't thought of that. I'm getting pretty
work with is a great place to start?excited about this and I'm going to convince you to
Harte: Start off by identifying the company by namecome to our center and bring this information to us
and industry and by the number of employees andout here on the west coast! Sometimes I think that
the nature of their business. For example, apeople like yourself, and those in the New York
manufacturing company with 10 employees wouldbusiness environment are a substantially "ahead of
not be as good a client as a service organization suchthe curve" so to speak, compared to most places.
as an Advertising or Public Relations agency would.So getting you out here to conduct a training at our
Cal: So, it is best if the company has enoughcenter here in California is especially exciting. I think
employees to be able to afford and utilize yourthat when the word gets out, hypnotists and
services but not so large that they arehypnotherapists who can come to our center will be
unapproachable. That makes perfect sense.excited as well. And, now that we can offer our
This all makes me curious about your background andclasses live, hands-on training over the Internet we
how you developed this idea and eventually becameare able to get this information out there even more
a corporate consultant.efficiently than ever before.
Harte: Before founding Harte Associates in 1982, IHarte: Some would say that you are "ahead of the
was President of Automated Labels and Formscurve" as well, Cal.
(ALFI) a mid-sized manufacturing company; served asCal: Thanks! I'm always trying to think of ways to
VP of sales for a division of W.R Grace and Co. anddo things better.
Reply-Q-Letter Company, a direct marketing agency.But back to you and consulting; so you have this
After selling ALFI in the late seventies I earned mysuccessful system. Can you tell us all how a
Ph.D. with a specialty in organizational psychology. Incorporate consultant like yourself finds clients?
the following years I designed and implemented salesHarte: There are a number of field-tested programs
and management training programs for a number ofthat gives consultants a strong "foot in the door."
America's largest and most successful companiesThese programs and techniques have been
including Motorola, Estee Lauder, Paxar, CMPimplemented in industries such as finance, real estate,
Publications, Mutual Benefit Life, Thomas Register,cosmetics, public relations, publishing,
Sanofi Beaute and Peppercom Public Relations. I wastelecommunications and mortgage banking, to name a
placed on retainer for many of these companies. Myfew. The size of the companies varies from 10
years of hypnosis training enables me to teach theseemployees to several thousand.
skills in all my training and consulting programs.Cal: Super, can you describe examples of the types
Cal: I see now that it was important that you hadof projects you've done.
experience in business yourself. Then by going toHarte: The projects and retainers vary from sales
school and studying psychology you were able totraining at Motorola to stress management at Estee
bring something to small, medium and large sizedLauder to setting up accountability at Thomas
companies that they needed. That was a great fit.Register and executive coaching at Peppercom to
And, then when you add hypnosis to the mix itphone sales training at Greater Atlantic Mortgage.
makes you very different than most of theEach of these projects resulted in my eventually
corporate consultants out there. I can see howbecoming a management consultant to those
hypnotists and hypnotherapists have an advantagecompanies.
over most consultants when it comes to training andCal: I want to let the reader know that you go into
consulting.much more detail about some of the specific
So when you brought your programs to thesetechniques and how to get started in your Meet the
different companies; what did you hope toPros Audio Programs that you have done with me.
accomplish for your corporate clients?So, I won't ask you to go into too many specific
Harte: My initial years as a trainer and consultanttechniques here.
were geared toward increasing corporate sales. MyNow I'm wondering how this will affect a hypnotist's
doctorate dissertation, which measured persistence,income. How do you know how much to charge and
made me an expert in enabling salespeople tohow do you motivate potential clients to retain you
enhance their sales abilities using psychologicalmonthly? I really like the idea of being on a retainer,
techniques to grow their business. A stressand I don't hear anyone else talking about that.
management component existed in all my work and IHarte: Initially each project stands on its own. For
used this to my advantage with senior managementexample, I might charge anywhere from $1800 for a
who were all stressed out. In summary, my goals for6 hour stress management program to $40,000 for a
my clients were to increase sales and reduce stresscustomized sales persistence training program
levels in the workforce at all levels. I find this is whatdepending upon the number of participants and
corporations want now more than ever. Hypnosislogistics. My minimum consulting fee is $7500 per
training created added value to the programs Imonth (for one day per week or 4 days per month).
designed.This works out to be $90,000 annually for one
Cal: So you started off with a psychologicalcompany. I usually sign a one-year agreement and
approach and the hypnosis was a bonus that othersrenegotiate after the year.
didn't offer and still can't, unless they are like most ofCal: Hmmm, I see. Then after you have established
our readers, hypnotists and hypnotherapists! That isa relationship by doing shorter programs for the
great, how has the demand for corporatecompany, you move into doing longer programs that
consultants changed since you started and is there aprovide you with a continuous income. It sounds like
great deal of competition?it works out great all the way around.
Harte: I'm glad you asked that because it is anSo, when someone is new at this, and they go to a
important question. The demand for corporatecompany that they want to work with, how should
trainers and consultants is enormous at this time.they handle requests for references and such?
Corporate consulting is currently one of the fastestHarte: The beauty of The Harte System is that it
growing industries in the U.S. today. Total consultantcomes with ready-made client references. These are
billings have grown by more than 20% for each offrom executives who've worked with the System
the past 5 years. The projection for the next 3and I encourage all my apprentices to offer these
years is an annual growth rate of 22-25%. Naturally,published testimonials. If a potential client wants to
with this growth comes good competition, which Ispeak with a user of the System I will arrange a
view as a healthy sign. This is especially true whenphone discussion. To my knowledge, no other
independent consultants compete with largerconsultant training program offers ready-made client
consulting firms, because we can be veryreferences. This is a huge advantage.
competitive due to greater flexibility and very lowCal: That is great, so they can talk about the fact
overhead. Clients seem to respond to this.that they are using a demonstrably successful
Cal: That is really exciting news! That is a lot ofsystem that comes with testimonials. That is a very
growth, and it is also great news to hear thatoriginal way of overcoming what would be for some
independent consultants can compete successfullyfolks a problem. I can see that you have really
with "The Big Guys" so to speak.worked things out, but then that would not be
Now, I know that you have been doing this for asurprising to anyone who really knew you very well.
long time and that you have trained others to beSo, you have found a way to overcome that
successful as well. Because I have interviewed youchallenge, what do you think is the biggest challenge
before on our Meet the Pros Audio Programs I havea new consultant will face and how can you help
heard about your systematic approach and that youyour apprentices and our readers to overcome all
have taught others how to get into corporateobstacles?
training and consulting. Please explain to the readersHarte: One challenge a new consultant may have is
what exactly The Harte System is and how youdeveloping enough confidence to be a good advisor
came to develop it.at all levels in the corporation. Fortunately, building
Harte: The Harte System is a concept I developedconfidence is a process that feeds on itself. The
while training Motorola salespeople in the 1980's. It is amore experience you have the more confident you
system that emphasizes the utilization of yourwill be. The key is to take the time to really learn
imagination to sustain your ability to persist towardwhat you are doing. My students study the materials
agreed upon goals. In a corporate setting, all Thein the training manual until they make sense and it
Harte System programs, whether they stress salesbecomes second nature to them.
training, stress management or accountability,It is amazing that by completing the initial 4 day
concentrate on teaching management and employeestraining in The Harte System, for example, you'll have
how to develop their imaginations, and in turn, themore knowledge about solving corporate problems
importance of persistence. The process requiresthan most of the people you'll encounter. This alone
learning the skills of assessment and goal setting, aswill give you more confidence than most people have.
well as reinforcement and encouragement, as toolsCal: I want to tell you and the readers that I have a
to become successful. These skills, in addition tolot of people coming to me and asking me to
working with imagery, create a vivid goal image forpromote their products or courses and unfortunately
most organizations and their employees to focus onI have to turn many of them down. I have also done
for success.many different interviews with hypnotists and
Cal: That is very comprehensive. I believe that thehypnotherapists since I became involved in this
readers are generally familiar with assessment andprofession, and I have to say that if I had not come
goal setting. Could you tell us what you mean byto know you personally I would have found this all
reinforcement and encouragement?difficult to believe. And, I have to say that I am very
Harte: Many people talk about goal setting but don'tcareful about my reputation and so I am careful
get the entire picture of how it can be done in theabout who I am associated with in this profession,
most effective way. The goal setting plan shouldbut I am very happy to have had this time to learn
include a specific action plan. It's important to learnmore about your program because I know that if
certain skills that will reinforce one's behavior to stickyou say it works, then it does.
to the plan. Self encouragement techniques areI could go on and on, and this interview was a bit
taught in The Harte System as a means to insurelonger than I anticipated, but I suppose I just got
success in reaching goals. By the way, self-hypnosiscaught up in the topic. I really think that for some
works as reinforcement and encouragement with ourhypnotists and hypnotherapists, this can be a great
clients in the same way.way to substantially expand what they do and make
Cal: I think that is key. So many people just don'ttheir practice of hypnosis even more financially
know how to go from deciding what they want tosecure. I know that there are many full time
accomplish, to actually taking an appropriate actionhypnotists who work exclusively with client on a
that will head them in the right direction, and thenone-to-one manner, which is really great. But there
continue to do so in a successful manner.are also some people who would like to go full time in
You said that there are other consultants out there,the profession but have not found a way to do it
and I suppose that they also have theiryet, and this looks like a good way to do just that.
"how-to-be-a-consultant" programs. How is The HarteAlso there are those who are full time, and would
System different from the others?just like to tackle a new challenge and add some
Harte: The Harte System differs from othervariety to what they are doing now.
programs in that it gives participants specificLet's wrap this up for now. Is there anything else
field-tested training programs that have beenyou would like to expand on?
designed, implemented and proven by me for theHarte: Thank you, Cal. I also appreciate our
past 25 years at small, medium and large corporationsrelationship as well. You are doing a lot for the
in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Other programs teachprofession and yourself.
people to be generalists. The Harte System teachesI would like to add that the 4 day training is just a
you to be a specialist in areas that have proven tobeginning for The Harte System Apprentices. The
be what corporations want help with. Becoming anHarte System stresses "imagination and persistence"
expert in these areas gives my apprentices aas a working concept and holds all apprentices
significant advantage over other consultants trying toaccountable. The one-year mentoring that is part of
get in the door. In other words, they receive a "turnthe training program is geared toward building
key" system together with testimonials from theconfidence and self-esteem and teaching in a "train
companies themselves.the trainer" environment. Participants are expected
Cal: So, one of the big things is that it is not anot only learn the material but to be able to teach it
program that is based on theory. It is about learningto others in the corporate setting.
what really works in the "field" which you have doneCal: Well, that is it! Thank you so much for doing this
successfully. However you go beyond the classroominterview. I'm sure that we have created some
because The Harte System offers an apprenticeinterest in your program, and got some really useful
program for those who want to learn this from you.information about becoming a consultant out to our
I think that is unique.readers as well.
Tell us more about how you and the graduates ofIt's like Dr. Harte said, his course is not for everyone.
your program work so effectively with corporations.However, if you are a self-starter and you have
I think that everyone here is going to benefit fromsome business experience, then training in The Harte
knowing more about that.System may be just what you have been looking
Harte: Based on my 25 years of experience, I'vefor.
found that although corporate decision-makers knowIf you would like to learn more about Dr. Richard
they need help, they are often unable to identify theHarte's program he will talk to you personally about it
precise areas they need help with. The Harte Systemso that you will have all of the information that you
shows you how to identify a corporation's "painneed so that you can better determine if becoming a
points" quickly.corporate consultant is the best career move for
Then, you learn how to attach a bottom-lineyou!
significance to those pain points so you can monetizeDr. Harte's next course on The Harte System and
your solutions to those problems. Thishow to become a corporate consultant will be held at
monetization-getting prospects to realize how muchthe Banyan Hypnosis Center for Training & Services,
the problem is costing them and how much valueInc. here in Tustin, California on May 10 -13,
your solutions can have for them-is the key to2007.Here is a link directly to the course and
getting high fees. This is where most consultants fallenrollment information.
short and where my program excels.You can also learn more about becoming a corporate
A second advantage The Harte System offers isconsultant by listening to some of Dr. Harte's recent
that I mentor all participants personally for one yearMeet the Pros Audio Programs. These are mini
after the training. This mentoring includes phoneseminars on the topic.
discussions, email responses, accountability reports,- How to Approach Corporations, Hospitals and
assistance with designing proposals, and if theGovernment Agencies Using Your Hypnosis and NLP
assignment is large enough, personal assistance withSkills
closing if required. Participants are never left to fend 
for themselves after the training.- How Hypnotists Can Become Successful Corporate
Cal: I like that a lot. That is just the kind of trainingTrainers and Consultants
that this profession needs. I know that so many 
people out there would be so much more successfulIf you would like to learn more about this or any
with that continued ongoing supervision, and if Iupcoming training programs scheduled through the
understand you right, you work one-to-one with yourBanyan Hypnosis Center for Training & Services,
apprentices to make sure they succeed. That has toInc., just go to  call our office at (800) 965-3390 or
be reassuring. I'm not aware of any other program(714) 258-8380, and we will get you all the
where you actually get hands-on mentoring like that.information that you need or get you in contact with
In a way, I guess it's like you're partnering with yourDr. Harte and he can talk to you more about it.
apprentices and since you have a vested interest inFind more hypnosis information and hypnosis videos
their progress, you do everything in your power toon Hypnosis.ORG and CalBanyan.
help them be successful. The better they do, the