Thursday 13 October 2011

A New Mastermind Group is Born! October 2011


A Mastermind Recipe:

  1. Take six business people (three men, three women).
  2. Lock them away for two solid days. With me.
  3. Show them how to healthcheck their businesses, define and set their personal, career and business goals.
  4. Get them to bring their key issues to the table.

This is a recipe for a high octane mix of:

  • results-focused decision-making,
  • breaking self-limiting beliefs and
  • creating the focus and drive that so many of us seek.

Chatham House Rules apply at such events. Names and identities will always be disguised to protect the innocent!!!

However, I can tell you that we had a vivacious mix of industries represented: media, e-learning, auctions, fitness, financial services and events.

The original issues were clearly defined as ‘GROWTH’ or ‘survival and growth’ and this manifested itself in many different ways.

At the heart of every conversation was an obsession with ‘deliverables’ and the actions required to achieve those results.

By results we meant increased profitability, better sales, and a better work-life balance. The subjects tackled were diverse and varied but the intensity and passion were second-to-none:

  • How to really make our clients feel loved-up!
  • How to create an out-sourced business model
  • How to introduce crowd-sourcing as an idea-generator
  • How to scale-up fast
  • How to switch director roles so that people do what they are best at
  • How to create/hit challenging sales/profit targets
  • How to put in place/create a scorecard process for highly effective monthly board meetings

Everyone left tired but invigorated to take on the exciting challenges that lay ahead. All condensed into three succinct action points to work on first thing Monday morning.

What is clear is that the formula works:

The right group of individuals
+

The right leader with the right knowledge/skills/attitude
+
An action orientation
+
Honesty, not politeness
+
Respect and the right chemistry
+
Accountability to deliver
=
Massive results for all the individuals concerned



RELATED LINKS

See Will a 'Mastermind' group accelerate business growth? Or blow up in your face?

8 comments:

Danny said...

Understand that we can't get/see more information but fascinating to see that the process has started. And by all accounts it looks like a good one.

Supporting our conversation last month it is often the standard businesses that have the most potential for growth. You waved the Telegraph article around with etc venues as the example (I think).

Can we talk some more.

Robert Craven said...

please email Tricia at rc@directorscentre
.com and set up a call.

Andrew said...

Thanks for the update. Understand fully about confidentiality  and delighted to see that you maintain it. Great thatth e programme has started and I am sure that the formula will work for your participants as it did back at Warwick Business School.

We met back then when we all had a bit more dark hair and a bit less gray. What I find amazing (in a nice way) is that the basics need to be covered rigorously and that such programmes are not about launching the latest sexiest thing on to the audience. Quite the reverse.

Cover the basics. Do it thoroughly.

Robert Craven said...

Danny,
Contact me via the office rc@directorscentre.com and we'll get back to you.

Andrew,
More often than not it is all about the basics and doing them well (unlike the England rugby team). The businesses I worked with at Warwick have gone on to do some amazing things and I am flattered to still be associated with their success.

Robert Craven said...

Interestigly enough (or not) I am back at Wrawick at the start of December doign a slot for high growth businesses.
RC

Paula said...

True to form, Robert led the Group from a place of genuine experience,
deep knowledge and with a genuine heart felt desire to grow the members'
businesses, fast. Robert is a pleasure to work with.

Karl said...

Roberts diverse real life business experience mixed with academic
research makes his perspective and consultancy highly valuable. I would
recommend to anyone who can take the opportunity to have him consult on
your business. I've witnessed and experienced Robert’s professional
approach with people as a presenter, facilitator and coach.

Unknown said...

... and now we have another group starting ion late Autumn 2012. Contact me for further details +44 (0)1225 851044 rc@directorscentre.com