I’ve been in marketing for a very long time and have had my business for over 25 years and yet, I still don’t know it all! And I realize that I never will.
I recognize that this has been discussed before, but I felt as we come to the end of the year (yes, we are heading into the fourth quarter – the year sure did go by fast) it was worth revisiting.
The World is Constantly Changing So Learning Never Stops
I am always looking for ways to learn. For many years I had an amazing advisory board that I could bounce ideas off and discuss a wide variety of issues that were facing my business. They helped me hone my vision and mission for my business as it changed over the years. They helped me with employee issues more than once (hiring and firing!). And they helped me to be accountable for the goals I set each month.
Unfortunately, circumstances changed and the advisory board had to disband (some moved out of the area, others got new jobs with bigger commitments) and our monthly discussions stopped.
Now, we have great industry resources to gain knowledge and information about promotional programs, products and technologies. We also have great supplier partner representatives that I make sure to meet with regularly to gain even further insights into how others are using various programs to support their clients and grow their businesses.
Yet, as an owner and the leader of my company, I felt that I needed more. I needed more feedback from people that understand the trials and tribulations of my business life.
Mastermind Groups Help You Grow and Learn
So, I just joined a new Mastermind group. If you are not aware of them, I encourage you to check it out.
A Mastermind group is basically a group of people with the similar desire to learn from each other and push one another. Typically the group determines the goals and structure of the group. Some have facilitators while others just take turns keeping notes and holding everyone accountable.
Recently I was invited to join four different Mastermind groups. I’m not sure why they all came up at the same time. Maybe I was sending signals out to the universe that I wanted to learn and grow more – that I needed help.
I seriously looked at each one and each one had different dynamics, experience and help to offer.
Choose a Mastermind that Fits Your Needs
I have to admit, it was difficult to choose. One was a group of high-powered business people from all industries and sizes. It was a large financial commitment and meetings would be held quarterly for two-three days away from the office. So, it was also a large commitment for me away from the office. I know, you get what you pay for and I was very tempted to join due to the caliber of others committed to the group. But in the end, I decided it wasn’t for me.
Another group was much smaller and I hate to say, too green for me. Many of the individuals had not been in business for themselves for very long (not that they had to be as the larger group many worked for other companies). But I have found that in those situations I am giving way more than I am receiving. Don’t get me wrong. I love to help others grow, but this time I was looking for more equal giving and taking.
So, I joined a group of other promotional professionals. The group has been meeting for about a year and felt they could use another member. I had met one of the members at a recent conference and we hit it off, so I was asked to join. It’s a group of seven promotional professionals. A few have been in business as long as I have, others just a few years. We speak via phone every other week for about an hour. We applaud each other’s successes and discuss goals that can be achieved over the next couple of weeks. We also discuss and share resources.
Mastermind Group is a Great Resource
For instance, how are other owners compensating salespeople? What type of CRM program are they using to track quotes and orders? How do they stay motivated? How are they growing? And so much more.
I was impacted by Hurricane Irma. I am on day 10 without power, and yet, I made sure to be on that call last week. With all the distractions, with all the mayhem around me, it was that important to me to be active with the group. Our call ran long because the discussion got so lively about business growth and goals and resources to help us achieve them. It was so worth my time.
As I said at the beginning. I don’t know it all. I never will. I want to hear how others are making it work for them. I want to be a cheerleader for their successes and them mine. I want to be held accountable for those stretch goals that otherwise seem out of reach.
Think about it. Would having a group pushing you to more success be a bad thing?
Danette Gossett is the founder of Gossett Marketing, co-founder of Promotions Rescource LLC and co-author of the best-selling book "Transform" with Brian Tracy. Danette utilizes her more than 30 years of advertising agency and corporate marketing experience to develop effective promotional campaigns and products for her clients. Visit GossettMktg.com or SalesPromo.org and follow us on twitter @MarketngTidbits.