For the duration of each session, you get to work on the business, not in the business, and gain valuable insights. You can also learn how the other group members make more time to work on growth. In my experience, business owners often make time for everybody else, but when it comes to making time for themselves, it always comes last on the list. Another strength of the programme is that it will give you the knowledge to take your business to the next level. Participants tend to come with a lot of experience, and they sometimes think there isn’t much that they don’t already know. Your current knowledge will take you so far, but then you hit a ceiling. You need extra information, that you might not know you don’t have, to get to the next level. The programme gives you access to ten other business leaders and all of their knowledge, plus the knowledge of the experts leading the sessions. For example, there have been people involved


in the programme who had a strategy in place that they’d been working with for some time. However, using what they’ve learnt on the programme, they realise that they’ve been going down the wrong route. As a result, they’ve then changed direction. If they hadn’t gone onto the Peer Networks programme, I don’t know where they’d be now, but


they wouldn’t be where they want to be! It also provides accountability. Sometimes you have to do something but fi nd it hard to get started or stay motivated. When you know you’re accountable to someone else for it though, you have to get it done. By being part of a peer group, you provide that accountability to each other. Lastly, the networking itself is incredibly important. It’s potentially


very useful from a business perspective; if you have ten other people in the group, each of those will have their own network already in place, and by participating you gain access to those, too. However, just as important are the human connections that are made along the way. It can be lonely at the top, even with a team of employees under you, and participants really value the bonds that they’ve created. By keeping the network going beyond the end of the course, every member continues to receive that knowledge, advice, accountability and encouragement. If the last year has taught us anything, it is the value of our contacts


and connections. As we come out of lockdown and life begins to get back to normal, people are looking to rebuild those connections, both commercial and personal, that have been put on hold over the last year and develop new relationships that they can carry forwards. With new cohorts of the Peer Networks programme starting, this is a perfect time to not only do this but learn new skills that can help you take your business to the next level.


To fi nd out more about the Peer Networks programme, and whether your business might be eligible, visit www.semlepgrowthhub.com/peer-networks


ALL THINGS BUSINESS 35


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