Joining Vistage - An Honest Assesment

I've been a speaker for Vistage Worldwide, Inc. for more than 10 years, but it wasn't until recently that I started toying around with the idea of joining. It's not cheap, and I was worried about joining up with an older organization and getting stuck in an outdated way of thinking.?

After I took complete ownership of Volume Nine, I knew I needed mentorship and support to continue to take care of a growing business properly. So, I finally decided to give it a whirl.

Once I joined, I realized I couldn't have been more wrong about my concerns - it's some of the best money I've invested in myself and in Volume Nine.?

If you are running a company and could use some extra support & mentorship, consider #vistage. If you are in Denver, our group still has a few open spots. If you aren't, I'm happy to help you find a chair in your area. Either way, DM me :)?

Just reflecting on a few things I've gotten from Vistage in just a few short months I've been a part of it:

1. A Better Focus on the Numbers -?A lot of numbers go into running a company, and those numbers are moving around all the time. It is invaluable to have a financial coach that goes through the monthly PNL with you + gives you advice on what they're seeing and what numbers to focus on.?
2. A Group to Bounce Ideas Off Of -?When running a company, it can be challenging to find people who understand some of the decisions you are trying to make and can provide a lot of perspective on that.?
3. Access to Tremendous Advice -?I can't tell you how many new challenges have popped up in the past few months. Things like complicated international contracts, legal questions, etc. I had a situation where I needed complex support quickly, and within about 2 hours, my Vistage chair found someone in the Vistage network who could help.?
4. More Effective Communication Listening -??This has been one of the best speaker sessions I've ever participated in; I hope this woman writes a book soon!?https://culturecounts.biz/toolkit/?
5. Positive Energy & Momentum -?I was worried that taking an entire day out of my work month to sit with a Vistage group would be a huge time-suck. Instead, I realize now how much I look forward to the meeting every month, and it's my chance to get reenergized about personal development & developing the company.?
6. A Mentor - Vistage chairs are a lot more than someone who wrangles the group; my Vistage chair (shout out to Christiaan Vandenberg ) feels like the mentor I've always needed. He knows how to ask the right questions, understands many potential pitfalls in growing a business, and spends a lot of time with me each month to help me stay clear & focused.?
7. Friendships -?As we get to know each other and learn about each other businesses, families, successes, and challenges, we are forming new friendships and bonds.?

My only regret is probably that I waited so long to find some executive group to join. I now realize why so many CEOs / owners join groups like this and how helpful it can be to growing a business. I expect this to be a growth year for Volume Nine, and I feel more prepared than ever to take that on.?