Getting Unstuck: The VACEOs Forum Experience
Let’s be honest: It’s not always business that causes the negative emotions you sometimes struggle with. Often, it’s life. To have a group of people who understand you as a human AND as a CEO is HUGE.
Imagine sitting around a table with several Inc. 5000 and RVA 25 business owners – each focused on your issue or opportunity – and finally realizing you’re not alone. Each VACEOs member has experienced this feeling during a Roundtable or Forum peer group session.
FORUM VERSUS ROUNDTABLE: WHAT’S THE DIFF?
All new VACEOs members are assigned to either a Roundtable or Forum peer group. Roundtable groups typically include 8-10 members and meet once a month for four hours. Forums, on the other hand, meet only once a quarter for a full day of discussion.
The biggest difference between a Roundtable and Forum is the type of CEOs sitting around the table. A typical Forum member leads a more complex business that may have multiple locations and 75 or more employees. Forum groups typically include only eight members and require the participation of a skilled facilitator to ensure these high-horsepower individuals stay on track.
“It’s a slightly different altitude because of the complexity or scope of the business,” he adds. “The management and hiring issues and competitive strategies are just a little bigger, but the business issues are remarkably similar,” explains Randy Wyckoff, VACEOs Forum Facilitator.
No matter the type of meeting – Roundtable or Forum – each calls for strict adherence to confidentiality and to the Gestalt Language Protocol. (The guiding principle of the Gestalt Language Protocol is to never give advice, but to share related experiences instead. (Read more.)
THE FORUM EXPERIENCE: BECOMING UNSTUCK
Forums quickly become a safe haven – a place to vent, ask questions, release fears and build lifelong friendships. During each quarterly day-long meeting, several members present personal or work challenges to the group.
It’s the facilitator’s responsibility to ensure the agenda is set well before the meeting occurs and to make sure the meeting and attendees follow Gestalt processes and principles. Another important role the facilitator may play is that of coach. The ultimate goal is to help the CEOs presenting their challenges get “unstuck.”
“The coach works with the presenter to set the tone for the discussion,” says Randy Wyckoff, who is also a non-profit strategy consultant and coach. “I help the presenter through the process of identifying and defining the issue. I also help them clarify anything they specifically don’t want brought up during the discussion; for example, they may have tried a specific solution to the challenge already, so they don’t want to hear about experiences that include that specific approach. I also help the presenter talk about their emotional reaction to the issue – how the issue makes them feel.”
Opening up emotionally and honestly is how members get the most out of the Forum experience. “If you come into a meeting guarded or not willing to open up, then you’re limiting your experience with the group,” says Tom Ficklin. He’s a VACEOs Forum Facilitator, a certified Christian Life Coach and a soon-to-be International Coach certificate holder.
“In the coaching world, we live for the ‘aha!’ moments,” he explains. “It’s tough for executives who are at a high level to talk about what they do with their spouse or accountant or attorney. When they get into a Forum and find out others have been down a similar path or share similar experiences, you see lights come on, and you see them think, ‘Ok, I’m not the only one.’ Then they begin to take in the experiences of the others and they begin to see how to get unstuck. They see the direction. They have a turn signal. It’s about finding the next step and taking it with a level of confidence.”
Mike Matthews, president of Hankins & Anderson and a longtime Forum member, has found confidence and friendship in his peer group.
“They all have the same responsibilities that I have – the same difficulty in making decisions,” says Matthews. “There’s something about being with a group of people who do what you do. You don’t often find that. It’s very rewarding. When you’re talking about something, you don’t have to explain it in context. They get it. It’s great to have those conversations. I think that being a part of a Forum and a member of the Council has made me more confident in my decision-making.”
Matthews says his group truly enjoys their time together. “One Forum member said, ‘You know what? Even if we didn’t have presentations, I would still want to meet every quarter.’ I think that speaks volumes about how close we are as a group and how much value we find in the peer group experience.”
What’s On Our Minds? Developing a “Success Virtuous Cycle”
“The ‘Best Place to Work’ companies are not fighting for the best talent out there. In fact, the best talent out there is in line, trying to get in,” said Willy Stewart during his recent VACEOs presentation. The author of Fire Yourself [as your own higher power] said a “Success Virtuous Cycle” – where your business is constantly becoming greater – is driven by leadership. To attract and keep the best, it’s essential to keep employees engaged.
The group before him was challenged to think about it and absorb his research.
During his presentation to Council members and their guests, Stewart shared experiences from his background in engineering and business consultancy. He also detailed his rigorous recruiting process, his 90-day on-boarding training process, and the management techniques he uses to keep employees engaged.
Afterward, several VACEOs members took an even deeper cycle dive with Stewart, spending an additional two hours in a workshop that followed his initial presentation. One CEO took full advantage of the opportunity by having one of his employees attend the session, as well.
“I really appreciate having the after-lunch workshops, especially when I can bring key employees along in order to get them thinking in a way that’s outside the box, too,” said David Staples, Managing Member, Appraise Sell, LLC / EbidLocal.com. “It’s a chance for them to learn how their thoughts and ideas can make a significant contribution to the business.”
How often do YOU think outside the box? Expand your mind AND your business, and come join us!
*This “What’s On Our Minds” moment from VACEOs Knowledge Network Luncheon “Success Virtuous Cycle,” presented by Willy Stewart, CEO of Stewart, Inc.
Your Picks: Favorite VACEOs Stories of 2015
What a year for the Virginia Council of CEOs! Our membership numbers are up, our CEOs are redefining success, and our organization has never been stronger. We had a lot of good news to share in 2015, and we found ourselves especially busy creating unique and original content for VACEOs.org.
From how-to articles to speaker recaps to book reviews and everything between, we’ve shared information to help you understand customer-centric marketing, discover business secrets for success and find inspiration through member profiles.
All told, we published 30 or so articles in 2015. Thanks for listening! (Our readership is up 60%. We brag.)
We plan to produce even more stellar content in 2016, including articles designed to help you become the most productive CEO you can be. If you’ve got a story idea please send it to info@vaceos.org.
Until then, here are a few of YOUR favorite stories of the year, in random order. See the full list here.
Becoming Unboxed Technology
*Editor’s Pick: Story of the Year and Winner: Most-Read Story*
Walk into the workspace of Unboxed Technology, and the walls are covered with quotes of varying sizes and lengths. In essence, these credos – carefully selected by Unboxed employees – tell the story of the vision, struggle and character of this young company led by co-founder Brian Leach, an entrepreneur who dared to think, “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”
UR MBA Capstone Project Gives VACEOs Members Fresh Perspective
As CEOs, we’re often so busy with the day-to-day details of running our business that we don’t see the big picture. Sometimes it helps to get a fresh perspective – and that’s exactly what two VACEOs members did when they participated in the University of Richmond MBA Capstone Project. This story examined how MBA students helped our CEOs find new answers to real-world questions – like where to find expansion opportunities and how to cope with a severe labor shortage.
How to Build a Winning Company Culture
The Fahrenheit Group, named twice to the “Best Places to Work in Virginia” list, is a successful multi-dimensional consulting firm with a client roster that reads like a Who’s Who of some of the most recognized large companies in the country. In this post, co-founder Rich Reinecke shares five tips to get your business on the right track by building a great company culture.
Engaging the Millennial Generation
*Editor’s Pick: One of the Year’s Best*
Says story writer Kat Hurst, “This story gave us the chance to report three unique perspectives about a very relevant topic in the business world: Millennials. I loved the fact that we heard from a recent college grad, a consultant and employer coach, AND a CEO — who also happens to be a Millennial managing employees from his own generation. This story answered some of the questions everyone is asking, including, “How do you manage Millennials?” and “‘Are we really that different?’”
No Matter Our Mission, We’re All Like-Minded Leaders
VACEOs members represent a wide range of industries and experiences. This story highlighted two of our members who work in the not-for-profit sector: Louise Bagwell-Robinson of Millwood Schools and Jennifer Boyden of Heart Havens. Through their experiences, we learned that no matter your mission – whether it’s to sell lots of products or lend support in matters of the heart – we’re all like-minded leaders.
GroundForce IT Shines During UCI Road World Championships
All the world was watching Richmond during the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, but in many ways, it was just another day at the office for VACEOs member Ethan Seltzer of GroundForce IT, the Official Technology Partner of the Championships. REALLY? We wondered: Did he have any reservations about putting his business out there in such a big way? Did he have any “OMG” kind of moments? Any regrets? Here’s what he had to say.
VACEOs Membership Grows in 2015
We’ve had a great 2015, and we are pleased to announce our membership is stronger than ever — thanks to our stellar core of entrepreneurs and these new members.
Imagine the possibilities and the hurdles you could overcome if you had an exclusive network of company leaders like these as your private think tank. Visit VACEOs membership to learn more!
VACEOs 2015 (New) Members
Juan Bialet / Productive AV
Ken Brown / Integra Realty Resources
Peter Cammarata / Northern Neck Insurance Company
Clarke Chase / Chase Dominion
Glenn Childress / Bizport
Jamie Christensen / WorldView Solutions
Billy Davis / Arborscapes, LLC
Mark Deutsch / Pediatric Partners of Virginia
Jim Edge / Cornerstone Valuation
Steve Fey / Proxios
Molly Fuller / Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of VA
Matt Holland / Super Radiator Coils
Ben Humphries / Simplicity VOIP
Dana Kuhn / Patient Services Inc.
John Lewis / The Lewis Group
Kim Mahan / Maxx Potential
Todd Mawyer / TK Promotions
Whit Morris / Morris Tile Distributors
Alex Murdock / BC Wood Products
Jon Newman / The Hodges Partnership
Joe Niemann / Acoustical Solutions, LLC
James Pickren / Sherex Fastening Solutions
Paul Poggi / Harris Williams
John Sims / Rainbow Station – The Boulders
Vijay Thomas / Teacup Systems
Scott Turner / TrueTimber Tree Service
Andy Williams / 3Sports
Nine Business Lessons from a Lifetime of Entrepreneurial Work, by Linda Nash
Linda Nash, successful serial entrepreneur and founder of PartnerMD, knows how to work a room full of business owners. “This is my favorite kind of group to speak to – entrepreneurs,” she said at the start of her VACEOs Quarterly Luncheon presentation. “I love talking to people who have figured it out, have taken risks and are out there doing it every single day. Entrepreneurs really, really get it. I believe down deep that most entrepreneurs are some of the happiest people on the planet.”
Nash was gracious and candid during her talk. She reminded the large group of CEOs eagerly waiting to hear her story that it’s NOT always best to grow as big as you can, but, rather, it’s about finding your mission and what makes you really happy. Nine business lessons later, it was clear that Nash’s mission is to be an entrepreneur.
Are you a passionate business owner? Most VACEOs luncheons and events are open to qualified guests. Come join us! You might just learn something that could profoundly impact your business.
Nine Business Lessons from a Lifetime of Entrepreneurial Work, by Linda Nash:
#1) Know that all investors are not equal. (Be sure to clarify everyone’s expectations.)
#2) Keep your eye on your Exit Plan. (And plan for life after you leave!)
#3) Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
#4) Know when it’s time to jump from a lifestyle to a valuable business idea.
#5) Find mentors.
#6) Do a lot more listening than talking – and ask really hard questions of your employees and customers.
#7) Address issues almost right away. (Sleep on the big ones. If they’re still bothering you, confront them and communicate clearly.)
#8) Don’t forget: The more successful you become, the more people want what you have.
#9) Take your temperature often. Are you still having fun?
About Linda Nash
Linda Nash is a serial entrepreneur who enjoys identifying business opportunities and growing those concepts from scratch into thriving enterprises. She started the first exclusively school-age childcare program in Richmond in 1983, which she grew to six locations. Nash ran the chain for 15 years, and then sold it to Nobel Education Dynamics. She then designed and started The Compass School, a private preschool and kindergarten, where she served as CEO and Chairman of the Board for three years.
In 2003, with 40 patients and one physician, Linda opened the doors to PartnerMD, a membership medical and executive physical practice that gives patients round-the-clock access to their doctors. She sold PartnerMD to Markel Ventures in 2011 and then grew the company to 13 locations, 28 physicians and 9,000 members coast to coast.
Linda left PartnerMD in 2015 to help other businesses and entrepreneurs pursue similar success stories.
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