Last week we co-hosted an event with Gateway Financial Group “Celebrate what’s right with the world”.  We had such a fantastic turnout that we have decided to hold the event again, actually 3 more times. 

Event Details:

When: 5:30–7:30 PM

Tues. Dec. 1st

Wed. Dec. 2nd or

Thurs. Dec. 3rd

Where: 500 Winding Brook

Blvd., 2nd floor Glastonbury, CT 06033

Why are hosting 3 more events?

We recognized that this has been a particularly stressful year for many business owners and wanted to do something to lift everyone’s spirits and help them see new opportunities for their companies. Our goal for this event is to help fellow entrepreneurs recognize possibilities and find solutions for the challenges we face. By showing Dewitt Jones’ video and facilitating conversation around what is right in the business world, we think people will see that there is always more than one answer and that there are still plenty of opportunities to create a business of enduring value. It will also be a great opportunity for business owners to discuss solutions, strategy, and to network with one another. The basis of this event program is to help people see that there are possibilities available, even under adverse conditions, and to help them find the vision that inspires them to approach their businesses with confidence, celebration, and grace. Appetizers and refreshments will also be provided.

To RSVP call 860-432-4490, or email info@theecircle.com

To recap over the past few months we have been talking about how to assemble a Peer Advisory Board.  We discussed choosing the members, commitment, the importance of a pre-set agenda, and discussion protocol.  This post will discuss the different roles that are important to your board.

Every board is started by someone.  This person took the initiative to put the group together.  Although, possible for the individual to continue to take responsibility for the group, it isn’t beneficial to the leader or the group.

The board benefits all participants, therefore all participants should take responsibility for some part of the work.

When one person is doing all the work, they can start to feel underappreciated.  The group may become less committed or interested in it’s success, not to mention the load of the responsibilites are much easier to bear when everyone helps.

Below is a breakdown of the roles we have found work.

Facilitator:

      1.  Facilitate the meeting

                   A. Meeting Opener

                   B. Keep conversation on track

                  C. Keep all members participating

                  D. Make sure all members have the opportunity to present

                  E. Talk to members who resist presenting or causing disturbances

                  F. Create comfortable environment for all

                                    a. Member attitude

                                    b. Member participation

2.  Meeting location

3. Meeting Schedule

4. Check in with Presenter

5.  Prepare meeting agenda

6.  Bring Charter and signed confidentialty agreements to the meetings

Facilitator Elect:  takes on the role of facilitator at the meeting when the current facilitator is presenting.

Presenter: (All members)Prior to the meeting: Prepare their topic to discuss with the group. Meet with their buddy/coach, by phone or in person.

Buddy/Coach: (All Members) Meet with presenter before meeting.  The role of the buddy is NOT to offer any advice to the presenter during the preparation meeting.  Help them prepare for the discussion and clarify their issue.

Time Keeper:  Give warnings as time elapses and notices when time is up.  Keep meeting running on schedule.

Discussion Protocol Observer: Give notice and assistance when the discussion protocol is violated.

Secretary:  Take notes on any changes to the schedule, charter, agenda, location, etc…  Please note, confidential conversation should not be documented, published or distributed due to risk of confidentiality breach.

Treasurer:  Collect monies from the group.  Money may be collected for expenses, dues, charter breaches, ect…

The presenter and coach are ongoing roles for all members.  The other roles should be assigned term limits and rotated evenly.

Next time we will discuss confidentiality.

No one can master all of the issues demanding attention from a business owner today. There are just too many issues and they change too fast for one person to stay current:   marketing, employment issues, IT issues, changes in competition, and sales, just to name a few.

Where are you currently getting your ideas and solutions?

Who do you talk to when you have to make an important decision? Who helps you through your difficult challenges?

Peer Advisory Boards are a carefully selected group of people that will provide for you:

 - Accountability

- Brainstorm ideas ·

- Introduce new concepts

- Work through business challenges in a secure confidential environment

The Entrepreneur Circle will host an introductory session to answer your questions regarding participation on our Peer Advisory Boards and how they may help you grow your business.

Event Details:

 When:  Friday 12/18/09

Where:  500 Winding Brook Drive 2^nd Floor, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Time:  8:00 – 9:30 AM

 For more information on The Entrepreneur Circle please visit us at www.TheEcircle.com or Check out our Video Brochure

“The Entrepreneur Circle has provided an environment that allows me to continually think outside the box and then pursue those thoughts and goals with mutual support and accountability. We drastically improved our marketing programs and substantially grew our firm in our first year as E-Circle members. I strongly encourage any business person to make this commitment a priority item in their business plan.”  Bill McCloskey Founder of Stateline Senior Services

In order for your Peer Advisory Board to be effective, 3 very important things need to occur:

1. Communication
2. Listening
3. Action

This becomes a delicate balancing act.  In order for true change to occur all three must take place. 

 com·mu·ni·ca·tion (k -my n -k sh n)

n. 1. The act of communicating; transmission.  2. a. The exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior .b. Interpersonal rapport.

lis·ten (l s n) intr.v.

1. To make an effort to hear something    2. To pay attention; heed

ac·tion ( k sh n) 

1.  The state or process of acting or doing  2.  Something done or accomplished; a deed.  3.  Organized activity to accomplish an objective  4. The causation of change by the exertion of power or a natural process

Communication is relevant for both the individual presenting his/her situation and the board members contributing to him/her. 

The Presenter

The Presenter should be clear on his or her objectives and outcome.  They should come to the meeting prepared to state his/her challenge or opportunity.  We recommend that the presenter write out their situation, then meet with someone from their board (buddy) to help them clarify the issue at hand.  Preparation in advance allows the most success for the presenter.  Once the presenter has presented their issue, their job is to listen, create an action plan, and take action.  Without action, the presenter will not be able to affect change, and attain results.

The Group

It is essential that the group come prepared to help the presenter create an action plan.  They should also come with the understanding that the presenter is the focal point of the discussion and may start to feel overwhelmed, defensive, or uncomfortable if they are given too much information or advice.  We find the best results occur when the board communicates through sharing experiences, and asking questions.  It is also important for the board members to intently listen to the presenter through their verbal and non-verbal clues.   It is the job of the Board participants to support and help the presenter feel secure enough to present their situation.  The group is not there to judge the presenter or “fix” the problem.  They are there to listen and provide useful information so that he/she may form their own plan of action on their terms.  We have been given advice and told what to do our whole lives, we have a book shelf full of books, and have had encountered many folks that are more than willing to tell us how we should do something.  In my experience the true change comes from the personal decision to take the action, the best action plan is the plan created by the individual.  Therefore it is the responsibility of the board to help the presenter create his/her own action plan, and hold them accountable to take the necessary steps.

All parties come to the table with the intention to help one another grow, change and see their business in a different way.  This can and does occur when the parties involved come to the table ready to communicate, listen, and take action.

Next time we will discuss the importance of assigning roles.

Previous entries

Choosing the members of your Board

Commitment

Organization

We have been providing the step by step guide to creating your own peer advisory board.  This post is dedicated to the importance of a pre-set agenda.  The last post was dedicated to commitment

Important meetings have an agenda.  Your Peer Advisory Board meeting is an important meeting.  The Agenda is the guide to how the time will be spent at the meeting.  Going into the meeting without one may lead to time spent unproductively.

Coffee Klatches have their place in the world; they are usually social in nature, a place where there isn’t a pre-set defined result in mind.  Peer Advisory Boards are all about results.

Having a pre-set agenda gives the members boundaries: A start time, end time, and in between time.

As a busy business owner it would become frustrating to rush to a meeting that frequently starts late, ends late, or doesn’t accomplish the intended goal.  Time is not a commodity and should not be wasted.  The time the business owner sets aside to attend a meeting must accomplish something.  Therefore, assign and stick to the meeting schedule.  Don’t over plan or under plan the meeting. 

Time limits in the agenda will force the group to concentrate on the task at hand and not stray in the conversation.  Assign the role of timer to someone in the group.

Be respectful of your time and the time of your board mates.  Having a pre-set agenda at your meeting will keep the group healthy and together.  Groups that are disorganized will eventually fall apart.

Next time we will discuss Discussion Protocol

09/02/09 The Entrepreneur Circle Lunch and LearnWealth Building:  Getting to $1 Million in Business Revenue. 

Presenter Ted Hsu President Horizon Services Company

Summary:  If you would like to build a company that is not dependent every day upon the owner, marketable for sale, and generates personal wealth: then growth is the answer.  Business growth is always the lowest risk option when compared to now growth or retracement.  The first challenge is generating your first million dollars in revenue. 

To Listen click links below

Part one 

Part Two

Part three

Part Four

We have been providing the step by step guide to creating your own peer advisory board.  This post is dedicated to commitment.  The last post was dedicated to choosing the members of your board

To recap, a Peer Advisory Board is a team of carefully selected team of like-minded peers that will provide for you:

• Accountability
• Brainstorm ideas, introduce new concepts
• Guidance
• Work through business challenges

A team is a group of people that work together to accomplish something.  What would a baseball team be without someone at first base?  How could a football team function without it’s quarterback? 

The Peer Advisory Board is no different.  Without all members present, the group cannot accomplish it’s mission.  All members are critical to the success of the meeting.  The group was deliberately chosen to provide insight, experience, and wisdom to each other. Without them, everyone will miss out, including the member not present.  Each member has a role to play at the meeting.  The presenter (individual with the challenge) is looking to the group to provide information to help them create a solution. Without their team, they won’t have the benefit of collaboration.  The other members of the group also benefit from the presenter and feedback shared at the meeting.  If anyone isn’t present, that person’s contribution is missed. 

How do you create a committed team?

There are 2 ways:

First, upon conception of the group,  each person you choose must understand what they are committing to and the value of participation.  Some red flags would be someone who tells you that they can’t  predict their schedule and they will do the best they can.  Or, “I’ll be there unless I have a chance to meet with a prospect.”  These are not qualified board members.   Every member needs to be at every meeting.  Reschedule when a conflict arises, rather than conduct the meeting without them.

Second, fulfill on the value of the group.  Stick to the agenda. Begin and end on time. Keep conversations on track. Assign responsibilities to other members in the group and make sure members come to the meeting prepared. 

A committed group will thrive and grow together.  When commitment isn’t present, the group will eventually lose interest and cease to exist.

Next time we will discuss the importance of the pre-set schedule.