Page 180 - The UnCaptive Agent

CHIEF COOK AND BOTTLE WASHER 153

harder for the people I want to keep from leaving our
company. These things have also fueled our growth.
I currently participate in three coaching and mas-
termind group activities. Two meet each quarter. I have
committed fifteen business days a year (plus travel time!)
to these group activities because what I learn and try to
apply to our business is very helpful. I couldn’t spend
nearly that much time in the beginning, so I won’t
recommend that you do, but I’ve always tried to find a
few days a year and someone to stimulate my thinking
about the business.
Another particularly useful way I find helpful in
working on the business is brainstorming with other
entrepreneurs. I have benefited greatly from both
formal and informal sessions like this. Entrepreneur
Organization (EO) makes this a part of its core pro-
gram known as Forum, which I have participated in
for several years. Brainstorming is also a regular part
of The Strategic Coach® Program, which I’ve been a
member of for over a decade. But as in mentoring and
coaching, I find that it is especially helpful to routinely
spitball ideas with others who benefit directly from
the exercise. Two of my favorite and most productive
partners in these kinds of things include Matt Masiello,
CEO of SIAA, and my partner in Oklahoma Business
Insurors Agency, Ken Anderson.
I also regularly spend time reviewing the numbers,
ratios, KPIs, and financials of the business. When I do
that, I compare our performance against peers as well
as those who are performing at the highest levels. This
helps me to focus on working to improve those areas
where we can be doing better.
I have learned to have a high regard for my com-
petitors and made a discipline of asking myself what
happened when I lose to them. Some people have disdain