Sample Counsel
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Remarkable Interaction
There is an extraordinary power in a group that has left its pride at the door, put down the masks and has begun to interact.
The Counsel members really listen, and try to understand a colleague's business and the challenges he or she faces, and then offer advice from proven experience.
The interaction is lively, candid and without pretense. Members are committed to hold other members accountable, and unlike professional vendors you may engage such as bankers, accountants or others’ services you use, Presidents' Counsel members are not rubber stamps who want to make you feel good, but rather are committed to your success even if that means saying the tough things that must be said.
The Presidents' Counsel in Action
The Presidents’ Counsel is comprised of a dedicated and determined closed group of businessmen and businesswomen who have committed a regular monthly block of time to work on their business (WOB) rather than just in it. They are serious about learning more, improving their leadership skills, placing balance in their lives to achieve more, and derive more satisfaction from life.
The Presidents’ Counsel can help you if you are a small business that wants to expand, an under-performing business that wants to increase profits, an unsuccessful business that wants to become successful or a successful business that wants to find significance not just dollars.
The power of the Presidents’ Counsel is derived from the people that make up membership. The synergy of this group working together creates results greater than the sum of the individuals coming together. The real world experience is incorporated into the boardroom setting and becomes far more powerful than seminars or other self-help products.
Real World Experience
The following is a sample of one of the Presidents’ Counsel Chapters. The facilitator is Sal Farinella Sr.
Kamill H. is the founder and president of an avionics company and an electronics company; two corporations employing over 150 employees. These two companies are involved in avionics testing for projects like the stealth bomber, F-15 fighter and C-17 Globe Master.
Michelle B. is one of the Area Directors for Network Professions (a national networking group) and partner in a start up venture that will launch later this year. You only have to talk to Michelle for a few minutes to realize that her perspective and outlook are a major contribution to any group.
Rick M. is the owner of an Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. His tenacity in starting businesses has led him to this business that is just now coming into its own. The progress Rick has made in developing his business skills is commendable, but his transparency and desire to improve as a businessman, not simply as a restaurateur, is his asset. His willingness, without pretense, needs to be bottled and sold to all business owners who would greatly profit from a dose of his knowledge and prospective.
Laurie D. is the district manager for a national bank. She supervises 22 branches and is in charge of growing this region for a national bank. Her experience in real estate and other segments are a few of the assets she possesses, but her true asset is that she is an over-producer and driven to be #1. To Laurie #2 is the 1st place loser. Her insights and drive are a tremendous influence to combat complacency in the lives of all who attend Counsel Meetings.
Dane B. is owner of a small computer company. Dane is determined to do what it takes to succeed. In Sal's analysis of well over 700 businesses in the Midwest and Eastern seaboard the # 1 problem of small business owners is pride and ego. Most have a lot to learn, but the facade of having it all together prevents most business owners from getting the help they need. Dane does not have that problem. Dane is humble, real and willing to roll up his sleeves to do what it takes. May more business people be infected with what he has.
Krister E. (Kris) is the founder and president of a manufacturing company that designs and manufactures equipment that reclaims energy for large institutions such as hospitals and corporate office buildings. His thermal recovery systems are state of the art. His business experience will take him to the top of his field and bring invaluable experience to the table.
Dawn G. owns a start up business providing products and services to the wedding industry. Her fresh approach to business is rich with innovative business models. Her willingness to learn and contribute are tremendous assets.
Even the contribution of guest members such as Angela C., a partner in an innovations company (currently in the testing and patent stage) of a device that will save the lives of countless infants and children, are significant. Her group has funded research and development that superior electronics has supplied. Her extensive business knowledge and experience were great contributions to one of our recent meetings.
This is just a sample of the caliber of people that are members of the Presidents’ Counsel. The proverb that says “Evil companions’ corrupt good manners” is true but the opposite is also true: Surround yourself with great people, successful professionals, men and women with a positive outlook and remarkable attitude and you will be positively influenced by them.
Availability and the Status Quo
The power of accountability: It is not how much we know that counts but how much we apply. Have you heard of the five-pound seminar? An owner, in an attempt to improve his business, goes to a seminar and gains tremendous insight into turning his failing business around. First thing Monday morning he gets his people together. He is on fire and motivated. He pounds on the desk five times and says in essence, “We are going to turn this company around!"
Then a strange thing happens... the phone rings and customers have problems, suppliers have issues and the day is spent in the tyranny of the urgent with little improvement to the status quo.
On Tuesday, the owner gets everyone together AGAIN and pounds on the desk four times and says, “Today, things are gonna change!” But... ( you guessed it), the phone rings, and the problems of the day take their toll, and so goes the rest of the week, until on Friday the owner pounds on the desk one time and says, "One day we are going to turn this company around."
What is the value of a good idea? Usually it is a great intellectual exercise and entertainment. It feels good and it is invigorating. Ahh... but the true value of an idea implemented has tremendous value. For example, one of our members shared that he has been a member of a health club for years but has not stepped foot into the club for well over two years. Every month he pays his dues with the intention of starting an exercise program that he is already convinced will benefit him in many ways, yet month after month he procrastinates. After making this one of his goals in a counsel meeting he was happy to report that for the last 30 days he has been to the gym three times a week. The reward and punishment system the group employs for accountability is a powerful way to get things off the drawing board into application.
He didn’t need to be convinced that regular exercise would give him more energy, make him feel better, live longer, achieve more in business and enjoy his sex life more. Those points were driven home when he joined the club. He only needed an effective way of implementing.
Shortly after your first meeting, you will notice a dramatic increase in your productive activity. In just thirty days, you will have accomplished things and started things you have intended to do for years. The power of accountability is awesome.
Balance
The difference between truth and heresy is mostly balance. To say God is only love makes Him a grandfather that winks at everything, holding no one accountable; while looking at God as a judge, makes Him a God just waiting to zap us the moment we err. Both of these views are a distortion of the truth because they are out of balance.
In the same way, a businessman who is profitable and successful at work but dies of a heart attack at age 37 or loses his family is not exactly my idea of a success and I’m sure it’s not yours either. The person who has all the toys, but can’t find time to play with them, or a business woman who has beautiful children and a great husband, but no time to spend with them, or even a business man who spends time with his kids, but his kids know that his mind is somewhere else, has lost at the game of life because his life is out of balance.
The Presidents’ Counsel is made up of businessmen and women who are striving to succeed in business, but more importantly, in life. In the first thirty days of membership one member began working out at his health club; another began a weekly exercise program; while another lost 18 pounds! One ambitious member accomplished three months worth of work in one month by interviewing over 20 branch managers. Books were read, programs started, long overdue dates with spouses were established, and even a few chairs were upholstered that had been on the “to do” list for a long time.
