Program Provides Enriching Experience For All

Inner Circle Mid-South, a peer advisory group of business owners and executives, led by franchise owner, Michael Synk, recently sponsored a “Join the Inner Circle” scholarship program inviting nonprofit executives to submit entries articulating how a peer group could help them better achieve their organization’s mission. Out of the fifteen candidates, Bob Hoguet, Executive Director of the Mid-South Chapter of the American Red Cross, and David Jordan, Executive Director of AGAPE Child and Family Services were awarded a free annual membership and will begin attending Circle meetings this month.

“Both of them needed help, and I knew that a peer advisory group could provide them with the guidance necessary to overcome the obstacles ahead of them,” stated Synk. “They are going to be faced with an increased demand for the services they provide and less funds to do it with.”

The “Join the Inner Circle” scholarship committee consisted of Synk and Inner Circle Mid-South Members Jonathan Frase of Frase Protection, Jack Dewald of Agency Services, and Chris Bird of Dillard Door and Security. After reviewing each candidate’s video entry, the committee decided to award two, not just one scholarship as originally planned. “The committee was confident that both candidates would fit right in to the Inner Circle and both possess extensive knowledge and experience to share with their fellow Members,” stated Synk.

Hoguet, who currently participates in a peer group comprised solely of nonprofits, already attended his first Inner Circle meeting, and states, “This is better than I ever expected. It’s honest. It’s open. And we actually work on each other’s problems. That’s incredible!”

“I knew from the beginning that Bob brought a lot to the table and would have no trouble engaging in the group. His fellow Circle Members were all excited for him to start attending meetings and were eager to hear what advice and insight he could offer to the group,” stated Synk. “He is already making plans to work more efficiently based off feedback received during his first meeting, and Members have already stated they were able to takeaway solid advice and ideas from his input.”

Jordan will join his first Circle meeting in January, and Synk and Members are ready to welcome him to the group. “My Members were thrilled when I decided to sponsor this program. It is something I had been thinking about for years, and finally put the plan into action,” stated Synk. “My Members wanted to help the nonprofit sector, and this program has created good will and positive feedback amongst the Mid-South area.”

Michael Synk has been helping business owners in Memphis achieve new levels of success through Inner Circle peer groups for over seven years. He currently facilitates three Circles and is now accepting new Members for a fourth. In addition to Inner Circle, Michael owns In-Synk, providing strategic planning retreats, individual coaching, and monthly group strategy sessions called Strategic Huddles. He is also the author of How to Create Customers as Loyal as Norm Peterson, a book about leveraging customer loyalty to create growth that has been used by the FedEx Leadership Institute to teach customer loyalty to their management teams. For further information or questions, contact Michael Synk at msynk@theinnercircle.com or 901.276.0200.

About Inner Circle

Inner Circle is an international peer advisory group franchise. Each Circle serves as an interactive think tank, a place where its Members 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.