It doesn't have to be lonely at the top

Over the last few years, I’ve been spending a lot of my time supporting entrepreneurs, as a coach and mentor, a partner in Sutcliffe+Whalen, and a business adviser at Invest Ottawa. I hear over and over again how CEOs and business owners want to make better decisions, expand their companies smarter and faster, and become better leaders. They’re tired of feeling isolated and they want support and feedback.

There is a solution: peer advisory groups. These groups are a powerful tool that give entrepreneurs, CEOs and business owners agenda-free, unbiased feedback from a group of non-competitive peers. Independent research shows members of these groups make better decisions, expand their companies faster, have better relationships, experience less stress, and work fewer hours. I’ve talked to people who have been members for 10, 15, even 25 years. They expanded their companies beyond their expectations, sold their businesses for more money than they imagined possible, and also resolved issues in their personal lives.

That’s why I’m excited to be leading a peer group for start-ups at Invest Ottawa, and now to be launching a peer group with TEC Canada, the established leader in the field for more than 50 years. I’m looking for a small number of entrepreneurs and business owners to join each group: leaders who are open-minded, and want to learn, grow and help others.

It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top. A peer advisory group could be the difference between good and great for you and your business. Reach out if you’re interested.