Why Have And How To Run A Mastermind Group.

After two years and two different mastermind group I finally figured out how to run an effective mastermind group. This articles talks about why a mastermind group and what process to use when you create one.

Why a Mastermind Group

We all know that two heads are better than one when it comes to solving a problem or creating a result. So imagine having a permanent group of 8-15 people who meet at least monthly for the purpose of problem solving, brainstorming, networking, and encouraging and motivating each other!

This process is called masterminding and is one of the most effective success tools you can adopt! It is a powerful way to support your dreams and bring unlimited resources to your business and personal life.

Participating in a mastermind group has been critical to me. Every breakthrough I have in my business has been the results of two mastermind groups I participate in. I can’t imagine achieving all I have without one, and it certainly made my goals happen much faster.

A Process for Accelerating Your Business and Personal Growth

I have taken the best of the two mastermind groups I created and merged them into one powerful educational and success driven mastermind group. The basic philosophy of a mastermind group is that more can be achieved in less time when people work together.

This group will be composed of people from your own industry or profession or people from all walks of life. The focus is on business growth through person growth. I found the more I grow personally the more I can grow my business.

Within your mastermind group, you benefit from the other members who empower you and draw out your full talents, resources and abilities. They trigger you, stimulate and motivate you to become all you are capable of being.

Ten Steps to Running an Effective Mastermind Group

The key is to choose people who are already where you’d like to be in your life – or who are at least a level above you. In joining your mastermind group, we will start by carefully enrolling another friendly, on-purpose, like-minded individual. As the group grows we will add others until the group reaches the desired size. The group will select and unanimously agreed-upon individuals who will work in total harmony for the good of each other and for the good of the group.

The entire purpose of the group will be to create more business and personal success using The Platinum Rule (Treating others the way the want to be treated), created by Dr. Tony Alessandra. Our success is directly related to our business skills (what we know) and our people skills (how we get things done). This Mastermind group will follow this format.

1. This group will consist of 8-15 people. This will allow a great cross section on ideas and concepts to be generated and shared.

2. The Mastermind group will meet monthly for three hours. This meeting must be held sacred as a priority and written in ink on your calendar. A one year commitment is required. This is not usually a problem but setting expectations before the group gets started is a powerful way to work through some difficult times that happen in every group. The meetings will be upbeat, encouraging and beneficial to each individual and focus on the group’s purposes. We will start each meeting with a prayer or an invocation or inspiring story.

3. Each member must agree to play all out — to openly share ideas, support, contacts, information, feedback, and anything else that will help advance the individual and group goals.

4. We have each member share something positive and good that happened since the last meeting.

5. Next, have each member share an opportunity or problem they have experienced since the last meeting and ask for whatever support they would like on it. We will appoint a time-keeper to make sure that everyone gets the same amount of time. This is important if you want your group to last. Everyone must get value at each meeting. This is typically very short less than five minutes per person to solicit feedback from the group on a specific issue. There will be plenty of time for further interaction on an issue.

6. We then have two members of the group take up to 45 minutes each to discuss in detail a specific opportunity or problem they want feedback from the group on. This could be a problem customer, review of a business plan, new business idea, a specific business problem, etc. This format can vary from group to group depending on the mastermind purpose and duration of the meeting.

7. We will then take a specific educational topic and study it, discuss how we can implement the idea in our business. The group will decide what topics they want to learn more about. Our focus is becoming The Platinum Rule experts.

8. At the end of the meeting each member will define a specific goal the Mastermind group will hold them accountable for accomplishing before the next meeting.

9. This is not a referral group. You will be asked not to sell to others in the group.

10. End by sharing appreciations and acknowledgements.

You’ll find one of the real values of a mastermind group is the accountability factor – other members checking up on you to make sure you meet your stated commitments. It’s one way to ensure you’ll accomplish a lot more!

We have Groups starting on a regularly. Call Ron Finklestein at 330-990-0788 (ron@akris.net) to learn more.

About AKRIS LLC

AKRIS LLC was founded by Ron Finklestein, President & CEO. Finklestein has published two books: Celebrating Success! Fourteen Ways to a Successful Company and The Platinum Rule to Small Business Mastery. He is the founder of Celebrating Success! NEO Business Conference www.neobusinessconference.org, formerly the Greater Akron Business Conference.

Ron Finklestein is available for speaking engagement, workshops, seminars and business coaching and consulting. His topics include: Attitudes and Behaviors of Success, Three Principles all Successful Companies Implement, Being Untouchable, and Celebrating Success! Fourteen Ways to a Successful Company, and Creating Passion in Your Life.