Peer Groups Encourage Business Owners To “Hug The Monster”

CLEVELAND, OH – Monsters are those ugly, lurking, unpleasant issues that, consciously or unconsciously, business owners avoid – often by working on other, simpler tasks that give a false sense of accomplishment, while knowing deep down that the Monster is really the game-changer. And when left to linger, Monsters deplete energy and enthusiasm; each day is dreaded knowing “It” is waiting at the office, a glaring reoccurrence on the to-do list.

“The phrase, ‘Hug Your Monster’, was coined by Inner Circle’s founder, Norm Stoehr, and it is still used by our facilitators today, usually when a Member has a repeated issue on his or her action list,” stated Kylene Golubski, vice president of business development at Inner Circle’s corporate headquarters. ”It gives great imagery to this conceptual issue that is so prevalent amongst business owners, and lends an air of humor to the situation while acknowledging courage is required to tackle the ‘beast.’ I haven’t observed a Circle where there wasn’t at least one business owner with a Monster to slay.”

Inner Circle Members are CEOs/owners of non-competing businesses who meet monthly in a facilitated, confidential environment. Topics discussed during Inner Circle meetings are as varied as Members’ companies and include: surviving during an economic slowdown; product and service line diversification; dealing with the special dynamics of family-run businesses; re-branding a product/service; employee compensation plans; and marketing strategy development.

Golubski frequently observes Circle meetings across the country, and recalls a specific roundtable session where a Member’s relationship with an informal, yet highly influential, referral source for his business had gone sour and even ruined their friendship. “It progressed to the point where a logical, rational conversation between the two was impossible because the dialogue inevitably became emotionally charged. So the Member avoided the issue, even though doing so was having a negative impact on his business and emotional well being. It was his Monster.”

“When it came time for the Circle to provide feedback and advice, a fellow Member challenged him by asking, ‘Why are you the one dealing with this issue? Does it actually require your attention to be resolved? Is a third-party in a better position to address this?’ In reality, the Member hadn’t seen this very viable, simple option: it didn’t have to be his Monster.”

Business owners often assume unnecessary Monsters because of difficulty delegating, their sometimes obsessive compulsion to take responsibility for everything, or the inability to see alternatives because they are too close to the situation. Peer groups offer pointed, experience-driven perspectives that expose these core issues while providing practical solutions.

“Peer groups give business owners the courage, motivation and weapons needed to defeat the Monster,” stated Golubski. ”Instead of going it alone, you’ve suddenly got reinforcements behind you. That’s reassuring because for entrepreneurs, one thing is guaranteed: there will always be new Monsters to tackle.”

About Inner Circle

Inner Circle is a peer advisory franchise exclusively for CEOs and business owners of small to medium sized companies. Each Circle serves as an interactive think tank, a place where entrepreneurs come to challenge one another and be challenged. By tapping into the wisdom and objectivity of the Circle, Members find they are able to overcome obstacles faster and with greater confidence. Inner Circle’s proprietary Vision Quest process, focus on Member accountability and professional meeting facilitation strongly differentiate it from other peer group concepts. Founded in 1985, Inner Circle began franchising in 1997 and was acquired by Cleveland-based franchise investment firm, Merrymeeting, Inc. in 2008. For more information about Inner Circle and to access an online press kit, please visit www.theinnercircle.com. For more information about the Merrymeeting, Inc. family of franchised brands, please visit www.merrymtg.com.