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"I appreciate being a member
of the Advisory Council since 1999. Very often I
am invited to attend a meeting that ends up being
another networking or sales group - but this group
is unique. The council is a group of business owners
that understand and share problems, opportunities
and responsibilities. Being a CEO means there is
no peer group or disinterested parties within your
company so it is difficult to get feedback or views
of your own organization. To be able to channel this
collective intelligence is incredible. The feedback
is unbiased, challenging, and allows for a top-down
view of your business.
You are an amazing guy - energetic,
focused and giving. Quite often you have been able
to pull together resources from both inside and outside
of the council to assist me and other council members.
You are an "invisible catalyst" and have
helped me to learn how to keep proper perspective
24 hours a day. You have become a key mentor to me."
S.B
"With all of today's demands it is imperative
to make effective use of our most precious resource,
time. Fortunately for me, I accepted your offer to
participate in the Advisory Council which I found
to be a powerful and unique forum for business professionals
to help one another create success, while expanding
ones own personal knowledge and network. Being a
management consultant myself, I naturally took a
critical look at the approach used to capture and
focus the wisdom and expertise of professionals from
diverse backgrounds for the purpose of creating value
and I was duly impressed. John, thank you for the
rare opportunity to participate in the Advisory Council.
I very much look forward to our next meeting and
all of the possibilities that await. In summary this
has been an excellent use of my time!"
B.P.
"Incredible, I must say, having hosted my
first meeting I now even more fully appreciate the
value provided. Every meeting I've attended over
the last several months has provided a wealth of
insights and practical ideas. In fact, in the last
twelve months I have implemented no less than five
of those ideas.
You might be interested to know that I've recently
completed an analysis of the economic impact of these
ideas. Conservatively in the last twelve months they
reduced my expenses by 3% (which is over $50,000),
increased sales by 5% and has produced a positive,
tangible but unquantifiable impact on morale and
productivity. We estimate that the meetings have
increased our bottom line by no less than $100,000.
Though now that I've hosted my own meeting, I believe
these last twelve months will be nothing compared
to the next twelve. Thank you. I expect to be involved
for many more years to come."
P.A.K.
“When I first heard about the Advisory Council,
I assumed it was the same concept as a similar organization
I was in several years ago. While it is similar, you
focus on helping the members of your councils. I think
you really try to be a friend: someone I can talk to
about things that I can't discuss with many other people.
I was a little overwhelmed at the first meeting. I
was asked for input from people I did not know and
about problems that I did not fully understand. I am
still not completely comfortable with this process,
but as I get to know people better, I am confident
this will change. Plus, you believe in the process,
and I have grown to respect your opinions.
I have only been in the Advisory Council for three
or four months, during which time I have attended about
three meetings. I usually leave the meeting with at
least one or two ideas. I also presented one Mini MasterMind
and got a few ideas.
I think a great deal of the benefit from the Advisory
Council comes from developing relationships with you
and the other members. This will take time, but I have
already benefited tremendously from my association
with you.
When I first attended a council meeting, my business
was (and still is) experiencing a down turn. There
have been times during this particular down cycle that
I have been at the brink of giving up and quitting.
John, you have been there to listen to my worries and
talk me through them. You have given me a "shoulder-to-cry-on." You
encourage, motivate and ask questions and help me think
through the challenges. In addition, sometimes you
simply call to check on me, see how I am doing, and
try to lift my spirits, or suggest what to do with
a particular situation.
CEOs deal with a lot of different people in different
roles. While it is important to be honest, you also
have to present the right image as a leader, boss,
or shareholder, etc. I can talk to you openly, without
worrying about some other role you play that could
come back to haunt me if I say the wrong thing. What
an asset!
Over the last 17 years, I have built a $12,000,000
business. You and your Advisory Council may very well
make the difference between this business continued
success or failure. Like I mentioned above, I have
been very near the point where I was ready to give
up. Without you this might have already happened, and
that would have been a monumental mistake. I would
have thrown away 17 years of work, and negatively impacted
the lives of the people who work for me.
With you, John, I know that I have someone to
call that will listen, help if you can, and encourage
me
to continue to find a way to achieve my goals. Thank
you for inspiring me to be, and do, my best.”
M.R.
President/CEO
“When I received the first invitation to
the Advisory Council several things came to mind.
At first,
I was curious as to what an Advisory Council really
was. I also wondered how or why I had been selected
for a group that was doing some kind of "advising.” I
felt honored that someone actually thought I had some
value to share with other like-minded people in an
advisory capacity. But I was also somewhat skeptical.
As I attended my first Advisory Council meeting I
was impressed, awestruck and could not believe I was
actually surrounded by the events that were happening.
For me, this was a meeting of a type of group that
had existed only in my imagination for quite some time.
I thought such a forum might be out there somewhere
but had no idea how to find this kind of organization,
who to ask, or what exactly to ask for.
Through the collective intelligence of those at the
Advisory Council meetings, I learned ways to solve
some of my business problems that were not really projects.
I developed ways to approach them as projects in order
to overcome the issues preventing my success.
The Advisory Council process is a fabulous way to
network with a group of people at your own level who
have only your best interest and well being in mind.
There are no hidden agendas and no political reasons
to not be open, honest and helpful with each other.
Knowing that I can truly express myself with no strings
attached is the greatest benefit of all. I consider
the Advisory Council one of the most valuable tools
I have ever come across in over 20 years of my professional
life.
And on a personal note, John, you have a heart of
pure gold. You provide each client with devoted personal
attention. You have been available absolutely every
time I have called upon you and always have so much
wisdom that perfectly matches the current situation.
Thank you for introducing me to the Advisory Councils.
I am truly thankful for them and you.”
L.E.
“A colleague introduced me to the Advisory
Council by saying that it was one of the premier
executive
networking groups in Dallas. She was especially complimentary
when describing you and her understanding of your influence
on the members of the individual councils.
The first impression I had was that the meetings were
run well. The format was productive and the membership
represented quality professionals at the top of their
games.
My experiences with the Advisory Council since
joining have instilled resolve in me to be more aggressive
in raising funds to capitalize my business. The Council
also provided me with an improved network of local
business professionals that help develop our company’s
relationship in the business community.
The Advisory Council has improved my confidence in
our company's message, offering, and value to our target
markets. I have become more focused on activities directly
related to revenue generation and make no excuses when
begging off on activities that are diversions.
The meetings offer Chief Executives a collegial environment
for peer review outside the formal leadership role
one plays in company culture. It is refreshing to not
have all the answers and to lean on accomplished professionals
for advice on threats and opportunities facing our
company. The process is productive in its underlying
structure: case study followed by question and answer
followed by comments and advice. And the recording
of the peer review comments on tape is a wonderfully
effective way of creating a lasting treasure that can
be called on over the years for refreshing insight
into business acumen.
John, you are a genuinely caring and generous person
who wants to be at the crossroads of great success
for your clients. You bring an extraordinary wealth
of experience, perspective and tools to bear on your
client's professional and personal challenges and opportunities.
You are unique in business today in that you are genuine
in your value and principal based approach to personal
and professional development. John, your care for your
clients and that single-minded agenda permeates all
of your actions and is a testament to your words of
the same.
Knowing you and believing in your spirit and intention
has impressed upon me that you are an accurate reflection
of the light and truth that we all aspire to shine
in our lives.”
C.M.
“To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t
quite sure what to make of the offer to join one
of your
Advisory Councils. The individual that referred me
to you told me they were a type of peer group made
up of CEOs who shared experiences and wisdom together.
I was intrigued when I received the personal profile
offer and I was hooked when I saw the level of personal
involvement that you took in going through my profile
discussion with the consultant.
When I actually attended a meeting I was completely
floored at the level of openness and honesty that people
exhibited. It is unusual to see people who have ascended
to the CEO position open up themselves to such blunt
and honest critique by people they knew only on a professional
level.
As a newcomer, this group has been a blessing
to help me actually meet peers who were trying to
solve the
very same problems that I was facing on a daily basis.
The personality profile was very insightful for me
and helped me to understand my management style better.
The group meetings have helped to reinforce the idea
that there are many different answers to the same problem
and often there is no “right” answer.
Through the Advisory Council I have developed professional/business
relationships with several fellow members and have
turned to other members for advice and council on business
issues. On a personal level, it has helped me to better
understand my personal management style and critique
my own decision making process.
When I recommend the Advisory Councils to others I
tell them this is a good way to develop introspective
analytical habits. Personally, I have started to think
over some of the decisions I make each day in the framework
of how decisions are analyzed in the Council meetings.
The Advisory Councils are a valuable tool in my
business. I use the skills I learn from the Council
meetings
in my everyday business life. Most CEOs are taught
along the way up the ladder of responsibility that
they must shoulder the entire burden of difficult decisions.
My interactions with the Advisory Council have made
me aware that it is okay to seek out help and accept
the criticism of others who have “been there
- done that” before me.
Without a doubt the greatest benefit of the Advisory
Council is my greater self-awareness when making decisions.
I have learned the art/skill of seeking out help to
tackle difficult situations and in sharing the load.
John, you have taught me the importance of caring about
other people’s problems and the blessings that
you receive in return.
I am constantly amazed at your ability to personally
interact with each member of the various councils and
your gift of relating on a human level with the issues
that CEO level executives face every day. You are one
of only a few people that I have met in the 20 years
that I have been in the business world who genuinely
care more about other people’s success more than
your own.
Thank you for your help, friendship and encouragement.”
J.M.
“Prior to meeting you and attending an Advisory
Council, I knew nothing about either, except that,
being a Dallas resident, I was acquainted with the
Dealey name.
A friend of mine and I were discussing the fate
of a mutual acquaintance who had some problems. My
friend
said the acquaintance became involved with a powerful
group of people who changed his life. I told my friend, “I
want that, too.” A few weeks later, I received
an e-mail with your contact information.
During our first conversation you mentioned the
Advisory Council and said it was difficult to describe.
I remember
you saying it is like having one’s own private
Board of Directors. Your challenge to me was that I
must see it to understand it. I was intrigued, of course.
More than that, though, the motivating factor was the
depth of the focused conversation I had with you during
that first telephone call. I thought it strange that
I was so immediately willing to be forthright about
my life and my business with a virtual stranger. In
some sense, it seemed to me that you weren’t
a stranger. When I attended my first meeting, I quickly
realized, and it was obvious, that you commanded the
absolute trust and respect of every person in attendance.
I can think of no stronger commendation.
For some time, I fantasized about being involved
in a comfortable, collegial, consortium of business
persons
committed, not only to personal and business excellence,
but also to listening, advice and counsel on a genuine
basis. My fantasy was that this group would somehow
be apart from, yet a part of, my own business life.
When I attended my first Advisory Council, I knew this
was it. I couldn’t believe such a group was in
existence. Where had I been? I told you that you would
have to get a court order to keep me from being a participant.
My first problem solved through the Advisory Council
was that, before the meeting, I was mired in a negative
process of understanding the problem. Needless to say,
I was stuck. I quickly learned, and am learning, to
focus, and to stay focused, on solutions.
By participating in the Advisory Council, I’ve
experienced a 180-degree change in myself. I feel a
strength, a confidence and a clarity I have never felt
in my 32 years of business life. The impact is an “inside
job” for me, which has beneficially impacted
my partners and my family.
Thank you, John, for introducing me to a way I
can participate in a real personal growth process
in which
I not only have complete confidence, but also is fun
at the same time.”
D.C.
“I had always wanted an outside Board of
Directors for my company, but could not see how I
would ever
be able to accomplish this due to company size and
economy. When you first presented the idea to me, the
Advisory Council sounded like a good possibility.
On my first visit to an Advisory Council, I was
impressed with how intent and willing everyone was
to participate
and how “from the heart” his or her recommendations
and responses were.
My first problem presented to the council was
a recommended source of cash management in lieu of
a bank’s
line of credit. The council presented several solutions
and I am using all of the suggested methods now.
The relationships I’ve made during the year
I have been in the Advisory Council have made me more
confident in business and life. I now have a new group
of friends that will help me through any situation.
And I tell my longtime friends to join the Advisory
Council as soon as possible.
John, you have an amazing talent for keeping a room
full of exceptional people focused, on schedule and
happy. The Advisory Council is a must for a sole ownership
operation and is an incredible assistance to all others.
The greatest benefit I have received during my
time with the Advisory Council has been the new friends
and fellowship that have been created. Thank you for
the opportunity to make my dream of having an outside
Board of Directors for my company come true.”
R.T.
“Winston Churchill was an avid subscriber to
the belief that letters of encouragement sent to those
people that are critical in our lives is a must do
activity. In the spirit of following Churchill’s
lead may I offer a few words of encouragement to you
John for all the good work you have fostered through
the Advisory Councils. I can remember very vividly
my first meeting with the Council many years ago. At
that particular meeting the challenge voiced by the
host was not his challenge at all rather his personal
challenges needed immediate attention and the group
would not politely soft pedal the message the host
needed to hear. The hard hitting and often self-effacing
comments by the other business people made clear that
this group was a different type of association and
one that I could not afford miss.
Since that first meeting I have hosted several
times and what stands out is the notable maturity
I sense
in myself. I directly attribute my improvement as a
leader to the power of the group that is always present
at the meetings. The council is amazing in its ability
to drill down on my blind spots and offer various ways
to think about my situation and better ways to “slay
the dragon.” John your skillful approach keeps
the meetings on track and meaningful to all involved.
I suppose should you share this letter with prospective
council members that a word or two should be shared
about the economic benefits.
Let’s just say that last year my company
made a significant profit and I was advised by my
CPA to
take out what amounts to more than twice what I have
been making over the last many years. Our enterprises
have multiplied and recently we set up our own finance
company bringing the total enterprises we have to seven.
Please note there was only one when I joined the council.
We have fewer employees since that time and our sales
exceed $30,000,000.00 (and counting). The amazing part
is my approach to work is healthier and I am closer
to my family and staff. I even sleep better too!
Our council has subsequently provided deepening
friendships with “like and kind” entrepreneurs
wanting to be the best they can be. Many of our group
has formed
a Leaders Bible Study hosted by another member at our
facility. The combination of the Advisory and the Bible
Study has forever changed my perspective for the better.
Just ask my family and employees.
Know that those you serve love you!”
M.S.
President/CEO
“The first impression I had when hearing
of your Advisory Councils was it sounded like a useless
bunch of guys, sitting around having a nice lunch.
I figured it would be a waste of time. Nothing could
be that good. But I agreed to attend one meeting as
an invited guest. To be perfectly honest, the main
reason I showed up was because the meeting was being
held at The Ballpark in Arlington and I had not been
there yet and wanted to see the new facility.
When I arrived I realized the host of the meeting
was talking about real problems in his business that
I also had. He was sharing intimate details about the
difficulties he faced that most would never reveal
to others. I saw the value of the Advisory Councils
right away. These people were tearing the meat away
from the bone and giving each other their best wisdom
in a straightforward way.
Being an executive is like walking a lonely tightrope.
You don’t ask for help because you don’t
want to seem like you don’t already know the
answer. The Advisory Council allows me to truly express
my fears, goals and desires in a private setting with
other executives who are experiencing or have experienced
the same level of difficulties and successes. And by
developing and nurturing friendships with my fellow
members outside the council meetings I have also gained
a vault of extremely valuable information that is now
available at my fingertips.
The council is a tremendous source of contacts.
I couldn’t meet those kinds of people in years.
There is no time. But the council gives me relationships
and assets in my back pocket for whenever I need it.
And if no one in my council can help with a specific
problem then all I have to do is turn to you, John.
You are an amazing source who never hesitates to help.
You are plugged into all the councils and it seems
like your primary source in life is to assist others.
Your tireless commitment to connecting executives with
one another is beyond impressive. I know I could not
get this type of advice and council anywhere else.
Please allow me to thank you for your continued
support and encouragement. I am proud to be apart
of such a
wonderful council.”
J.S.
“Like many people, I rarely stop and take
the time to thank those who are important in life
and in
business. Today I want to take time to thank you for
my many years in the Advisory Council. You first caught
my attention when you visited my CEO Network six or
seven years ago and you spoke about Napoleon Hill's
Mastermind concepts and how you utilize them in the
Advisory Councils.
Being familiar with the Mastermind concepts, I thought
it sounded like an excellent idea worth exploring.
When I visited my first meeting, I can remember how
overwhelming the power of the group was for the person
presenting. Collectively, the members were sharing
intimate details of their companies with other like-minded
leaders. Many problems were discussed and many solutions
were offered. Your facilitation kept everything right
on track.
After joining, my first real problem that I brought
to the Advisory Council process was an expansion plan
for my company to open an Austin facility by acquiring
an existing company that was for sale. At the time,
all I was looking for was a confirmation for what I
was ready to do - to buy the Austin business.
By discussing my strategy with the fellow Council
members, it became very clear that we were not ready
for any type of expansion. I walked out knowing that
I should not move forward. Soon thereafter, it became
obvious that it would have been a large mistake. The
way I look at that meeting - I saved at least $50,000
by not doing the deal! That solidified my decision
to belong to the Council on a long-term basis.
The relationships and friends I have made through
the Advisory Council are priceless. The men and women
I have met truly believe in the power of helping each
other reach their highest potential, both personally
and professionally. I consider the Advisory Council
one of my most valuable resources. Every owner should
have a group they can trust like the one I belong to
with you.
It is with great pride that I tell my friends
about the Advisory Councils. You approach your clients
and
their businesses with an open mind and good heart.
If they own their business, I tell them to go visit
a meeting and experience first-hand what I am talking
about. The ideas that are shared in those meetings
truly assist everyone’s decision-making. Thank
you again for the Advisory Council.”
B.S.
President/CEO
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