Solving tough dilemmas with informal peer advisors: Whom do you turn to for advice, counsel, wisdom, insights, best practices and answers to tough questions? The benefits of joining are to solve dilemmas, have a sounding board of peers to answer your questions confidentially, receive informal advice and counsel as needed, review posted “best practices” from other business owners, learn about the “hall of fame professional athletes of the business world” (private equity backed executives) who may be available to help you with value creation, explain value creation steps for your business, as well as the steps involved in prepping your company for a potential sale.
Solving “lonely at the top” syndrome with content: As a leader, you regularly encounter new challenges, opportunities, and issues that are both complex and consequential. While employees, clients, vendors, family, and friends may have good intentions, they often lack the experience, perspective, or objectivity needed to provide meaningful advice. Insiders, meanwhile, can be influenced by their own biases or conflicts of interest, making it hard to rely on their judgment fully.
A group of true peers—CEOs and business leaders who run companies of a similar size and scope—understand exactly what you’re facing. They’ve been there and done that. They speak your language yet bring fresh perspectives informed by their own experiences.
These peers can offer:
By surrounding yourself with a trusted circle of experienced business leaders, you gain access to objective, practical, and invaluable advice that can transform your business and your decision-making process. The right peer network doesn’t just offer support—it accelerates your success.
Have you reached your full potential? If not, what are some things that could help move the needle forward? C-level executives listen to other business leaders for a reason – be challenged and up your game!
You can simply take advantage of the community of other business leaders (and search past posts for answers, or ask a question, or read the articles and other content), or join our peer advisory group, Maximum Value Council, or decide to start searching for experienced Operators to help you executive on a higher level.
Join a peer advisory group of other business owners: A peer advisory council is a hand-picked group of 8 to 12 business owners who help each other identify and capitalize upon their opportunities, and discover insights into their toughest challenges.
Council members must be 1) from non-competing industries, 2) unbiased, with no conflicts of interest, and 3) committed to confidentiality and accountability.
Each council meets once per month for half a day, and creates deep, trusting relationships that one member described as “the best friends I see only four hours per month.” There truly is nothing like the relationship that quickly develops with people who are going through exactly what you are.
As an option, you may choose to join Maximum Value Council. We do the legwork, considering dozens of factors during a discovery interview to decide if a CEO or business owner is even eligible for membership and, if so, on which individual council they would best fit.
When the optimal members are identified, the council begins meeting once a month for half a day. All you have to do is to commit to being open, honest, and prepared each month with non-urgent, vision-based needs ready for your council members’ insight.
Do I Really Have Time For This? It’s ROI – Return on Involvement. An Hour Spent in the Meeting Typically Generates 3 to 4 hours of time saved in the office. Resources, answers, new looks, efficiency…
What Could a CEO From Another Industry Know About My Business? Possibly Nothing! But it is not simply about your company, your industry, your customers and competitors, your operations.
It is About Solving Problems, Opportunities Challenges and Ideas – Universally. And You May be able to weigh in and help your peers, as well! Career success often depends on having the right network, and perhaps a safe space to ask questions and benefit from the experience and judgment of others.
Attend our Virtual Events and Participate in Interactive Learning Sessions and Conversations About Business Growth and Value Creation – with Experts, Trusted Advisors and Peer Business Owners
When it comes to making critical decisions about growing your business, enhancing its value, or preparing it for a future sale, do you have access to an impartial, objective, and experienced group of advisors? While your accountant and attorney may be talented professionals, they’re not entirely neutral—they have their own services to sell and may lack deep expertise in the practical strategies required to scale a business, increase its value, or position it for a successful exit.
The best guidance often comes from peers—fellow business owners who are a step or several steps ahead of you. They’ve faced similar challenges, tackled similar questions, and navigated similar complexities. Some have even sold multiple businesses, providing them with unique, hard-earned insights that can directly benefit you.
After all, as Mark Carmichael writes in The Intelligent Exit,
Think about how well you are performing across the above recommendations. Is there one area you can knock out of the park? One area that is a clear and obvious area for improvement. Perhaps focus only on those two for the time being. But refer to this brief guide as your career transition continues. It may be helpful to experiment with the effectiveness of multiple strategies or process steps simultaneously. The success of your career transition may depend on how healthy you maintain your mind and body during this period!