Andrew Marsh is chair of Vistage North East and Northumberland. He currently runs a number of peer groups in the region with members ranging from business owners to CEO's and senior leaders in organisations of all sizes.
Here he talks about the impact membership is having on the region, and the benefits enjoyed by members.
“Vistage is a global organisation that provides peer advisory groups for CEOs, business owners, and executives to help them make better decisions, achieve better results, and become better leaders. Members of Vistage typically receive a range of benefits designed to support their personal and professional growth. We also have some exciting events with world class speakers.
“Vistage members meet monthly in small, confidential groups with other business leaders. These groups offer a safe space to discuss challenges, share experiences, and provide insights. The diversity of industries and experiences amongst members allows for unique perspectives and solutions.
“We do a monthly sign in which encourages members to share in Chatham House rules as the peer groups operate on a foundation of confidentiality and trust, allowing members to discuss sensitive issues that may not be suitable for other settings, such as board meetings or with employees. This approach fosters collaborations, and the opportunity to learn from others facing similar business challenges as well as members set goals and action plans and report back to their groups on their progress. This accountability helps them stay focused, motivated, and on track toward achieving their business and personal objectives.
“Vistage members benefit from the collective wisdom of their peer group and the guidance of their Chair. This leads to better decision-making, as members can discuss their decisions, get feedback, and explore alternative perspectives before taking action. Vistage groups also provide a sounding board for strategic and operational decisions, reducing the isolation that many business leaders face.
“Alongside all of these benefits of the peer group, members receive personalised coaching, helping members navigate challenges, set goals, and develop strategies for personal and business success. This coaching is designed to foster leadership growth and business effectiveness.
“Every quarter I bring my members from my peer groups together for a joint meeting, where we enjoy a world class speaker. They have ranged from speakers who inject fun into the working day, to those who make us think seriously about strategy, finance, marketing, industry trends, best practice, growth and people. We have even had a hostage negotiator talk to us about negotiation in business! Many members say these sessions are invaluable as they can take back their learnings to the rest of their team.
“Members also get access to leadership development resources and frameworks that help members grow as leaders. This includes learning new decision-making techniques, improving team leadership, enhancing communication skills, and managing company culture effectively. Leadership development programs are designed to help members grow not just as business owners or executives, but as individuals, fostering both professional and personal growth.
“As well building stronger local relationships with likeminded people, Vistage also provides access to a global network of over 24,000 CEOs, executives, and business owners, creating opportunities for cross-industry networking and partnerships, which can lead to new business opportunities and insights.
“Online, Vistage provides a wealth of resources, including articles, research reports, webinars, and tools that can be used to enhance decision-making and improve business operations. These resources help members stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices in business management. And members often gain exclusive access to proprietary Vistage content.
Members feedback include:
“My imposter syndrome has completely disappeared since joining Vistage.”
“We enjoy the best speakers, who ignite us into making positive change.”
“The monthly 1-2-1 are invaluable and keep me on track.”
“As a leader we often forget our own wellbeing but the peer groups check in and it makes all the difference.”
“In conclusion, Vistage provides a comprehensive support system for business leaders through peer advisory groups, executive coaching, leadership development, and access to an exclusive network of industry professionals. This combination helps members enhance their decisionmaking, improve their leadership abilities, and achieve both business and personal growth. Sound like what is missing in your leadership journey? Then get in touch to discuss the opportunities to join!”
Andrew also runs independent peer groups for emerging leaders so if someone in your team would benefit then get in touch for more information.
Andrew.marsh@vistagechair.co.uk