what's advisor support, anyways?

Part 2 of this 4 part series

In the first article in this series, you learned about the 3 Dimensions of Business Growth methodology. 

The methodology is great, it’s delivering results - not surprising, given that it’s distilled from working with hundreds of advisors on thousands of cases. This methodology is part of a three-part promise: Growth-Drive is investing Business Advisors and Exit Planners with the methodology, tools and support you need to drive successful client engagements. 

The most important of these three is support. 

Do you know how you often feel like sisyphus? Toiling away alone with only a small group of colleagues you can call on for support - if they’re not too busy to take your call. 

“Support.” Companies dangle the word like an “oh yeah, we know we need to do that, so let’s plop the word at the end of our promise to you like the proverbial red-headed stepchild.” With apologies to all of you beautiful reds out there. 

So what does dream-team support look like?

Effective support should have layers. You should get self help from articles, videos, and a knowledgebase. Group help from online forums, chat rooms, and open mic sessions (much of which is free). And powerful support from fellow senior pros who like you are committed to building a thriving advisory business by delivering killer client results. 

Here’s our promise to the Growth-Drive community: you’ll benefit from Methodology (training), Tools and Support. We think Support overlaps Training, that the two are inseparable. As in both are represented in our knowledgebase, videos, forum, chat rooms, Master Classes, discussion groups, Coffee Klatsches, class reunions, and more. 

And who is your best source for support? Is it folks who know exactly what it’s like working with clients like yours? Have you ever wondered how to get deep with other pros? How do you join a circle of trust and in a group where there is expertise, experience, trust and accountability? A group where you can work through the challenges, opportunities, problems and ideas arising from building your advisory business and leading your clients to success. 

You’ve heard of Vistage, TAB, and YPO etc. You know how successful they are, right? And you know how you feel when you go to chapter meetings and conferences, or just have a brain session with colleagues? It feels pretty great - it’s why we keep going back. But these are transitory.

That’s why we believe so strongly in Peer Groups. A group with whom you’ll dissect your biz dev and client engagement issues with a dream-team of folks with decades of experience, all of you at the top of your game, all of you working with similar clients, and with whom you are bound by confidentiality and a mutual commitment to success. Here at Growth-Drive, we call these Business Advisor Peer Groups. And if you qualify, we may have a spot for you.

I’m in a group. It’s awesome. My peers question my assumptions, force me to think from the other side of the box, and importantly call me on my shtuff. I am accountable to them, and they to me, for following through on the time and treasure we all invest. It’s transformative. It’s Support. And it’s only available in the Growth-Drive community. 

Here are the top characteristics that set a professionally moderated Business Advisor Peer Group above all other forms of Support:

• Vetted members - both for expertise, intent, commitment, and temperament
• Collectively >300 years of experience
• Professional moderator with +25 years in consulting and advisory
• Powerful methodology for running productive group meetings, delivering value, and making sure you are getting the results you want
• A common commitment to accountability and results
• Standing monthly meetings with a set agenda and additional 1:1 time with your group leader
• “Co-Op” access to coaching from the moderator and from your peers: unlike hiring a coach, in your Peer Group you are only paying your fraction of the time and getting advice from the group - like 12:1 not 1:1
• Collaborative perspectives: Business Advisor Peer Groups include Management Consultants, CPAs, Investment Bankers, Wealth Advisors, Exit Planners and Fractional CFOs, a dream team of pros supporting each other

Here’s what a Peer Group is NOT:

• A study group: one topic, ad-hoc, with little structure and accountability - and often not professionally led
• A chapter meeting; these can feel like speed dating, right?
• A conference session - fun but transitory
• A class - one and done, not a group

OK so let’s recap. Whether you’re a Growth-Driver^TM or not, any Business Advisor can get Support. Small investment, monster ROI. Biz Dev, skills development, collaboration on cases, and friendship. If you’re looking for the secret to building a thriving advisory business based on delivering killer client results, you should take the next step. We guarantee you’ll be thrilled or your money back, and the initial consultation is free. What do you have to lose?

We'd love to know what you think, please feel free to comment below: