The most important lesson I learned as a life-long consultant to management is that the success of an engagement always hinged on my client's willingness to change. So, if I was going to do a good job I had to be sure I could get them to change - something rarely easy.
After all they had been successful, got to where they are right now, doing it their way. For many the old adage, 'if it isn't broken...' was their mantra.
Experience demonstrated that for change to be real and long lasting people have to change themselves! It became clear that change was only sustainable if it was their decision. It was more effective for them when they could work things out for themselves - perhaps with a little help from their friends.
For decades business owners have told me they have all the advice they can stand - but that getting someone to actually help them address the challenges they face is often very difficult.
The most successful business owners I've met are those who regularly tap into the knowledge and experience of their peers. Often these unstructured conversations are simply an extension of a discussion they've been having at a recent trade association event.
For over a decade I watched these do-it-yourself strategic planning groups develop and saw their members flourish. I saw succession strategies unfold, marketing plans implemented, and leadership development programs take shape - with very little input from outside experts.
These business owners were just making up the process as they went along. How much more effective could they be if they had a tried and true road map for developing and managing their peer group process to follow? What if they had the same tools and resources the experts use?
In early 2007, based on a decade of active participation and research, I created a do-it-yourself peer group report containing all of the what-to, why-to, and how-to details for creating and managing your own process for growth - along with your peers.
These are the same tools I am using as a professional CEO peer group facilitator and coach. The same resources, strategic planning strategies,leadership development insights,and tactics for growing a business without the cost and without the middleman.
