Life is a lot like skiing. Just when you think you've mastered your technique, you find yourself face-to-face with a new slope, a fresh set of challenges that test your resilience and grit.  I may be a seasoned entrepreneur but I’m also a fan of sliding down hills, and hopefully doing both in a controlled manner. Like life, both business and skiing are more pleasant when enjoyed with friends, and won more easily with a little help from your friends as guides to help you succeed. This article is about navigating the challenges we come across  in business, so let’s start with what was always my favourite, while strapped to planks of wood - the moguls. 

Moguls - The Constant Challenges of Business Ownership

For business owners and entrepreneurs, every day brings a new set of moguls to navigate. It's a life full of autonomy and creative fulfilment, but equally, it is one marked by pressure, isolation, and a constant struggle to stay in the game. From managing cash flow, adapting to market changes, to scaling operations and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the journey of entrepreneurship is like skiing down a never-ending, ever-changing slope. 

A survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) this year, again identified uncertainty about economic conditions, difficulty in finding qualified employees, and increased competition as significant challenges for business owners. And let's not forget the occasional avalanche, such as the 2020 pandemic, that reshapes the entire landscape overnight. 

Navigating the Slopes - The Need for a Guide 

Just like skiing, business ownership is not a journey you should undertake alone. A study published by the Journal of Corporate Finance in 2016 suggested that business owners who actively seek and utilise external support demonstrate higher growth rates and better financial performance. This support often comes from peers – those who've skied similar slopes and have unique insights and experiences to share. 

In the 2012 research study by the Kauffman Foundation titled "Making of a Successful Entrepreneur," it was found that 98% of entrepreneurs ranked "learning from failure" as an important element of success. But learning doesn’t always need to happen through personal failure. By pooling together the experiences of the many, and especially our peers, we can learn from others' failures and successes alike.

As Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, once said, "Succeeding in business is all about making connections. Business is all about personal contact. No matter how heavy your workload might be... Everyone can and should be a networker."

TableNetwork - Your Ski Guides 

Where does TableNetwork come in? 

Think of us as your seasoned ski guide, helping you navigate the complex and challenging slopes of business ownership. Only that with TableNetwork you obtain multiple guides who are there to watch out for your progress, and who help you to avoid those perilous routes. 

TableNetwork connects you with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders, creating a space for shared wisdom, mutual growth, and support. 

Why is such a platform necessary? We have to take a step back to understand the changing dynamics of the business world. In his book "Homo Deus," Yuval Noah Harari talks about the shifts in human society and their effect on systems and individuals. Just as farming societies gave way to industrial ones, we've moved into the information age, and the ground rules have changed. 

Business owners now operate in a hyper-connected world where local and global events can significantly impact their operations. A study from Deloitte in 2020 titled "Navigating the New Normal: A Skills Pathway for Business Turnaround" highlighted how businesses that adapted to the changing tides of this new normal have been the ones to thrive.

Moreover, TableNetwork is more than just a networking platform. As a Member you participate in regular mastermind groups, where you can share valuable information, discuss business strategies, share experiences, and gain insights from your peers in a supportive, confidential environment. 

Conquering the Slopes Together 

Consider this: you're a business owner in the tech industry grappling with the decision of whether to diversify your services or not. Who better to guide you than another business owner who has walked that path? Or a CEO who opted against it and can articulate why?

Several business owners have found success through their involvement with peer networks, including Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post, who attributes her success to her vast network of peers and mentors. 

Remember the words of Bill Gates: "We all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve." An opportunity to give and receive feedback amongst a group of peers, those who 'get' the struggles and triumphs of the business journey, can indeed be a game-changer. 

Peers can also provide accountability. A 2013 study published by the American Society of Training and Development revealed that committing to someone else can increase your chances of success by up to 65%. Ben Beitler, a member of the CANI Table at TableNetwork, found that accountability was key to the value gained from meetings and admitted that the bar against which he measured achievement had been raised significantly by regularly attending structured meetings with peers. 

Furthermore, a 2020 study by the Enterprise Research Centre found that firms participating in peer networks experienced an average 8.4% increase in productivity compared to non-participating firms. These tangible benefits of peer networking, both small and large, are what TableNetwork aims to provide its members. 

The Lodge Awaits 

As the day ends and the skiers make their way back to the lodge, there's a sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment. That's the essence of TableNetwork and it’s the reason we hold social events throughout the year, such as the ski week for real estate members. We understand the challenges you face as a business owner and provide regular spaces where you can share, learn, grow, have some fun and make genuine relationships that count. 

It's not about the sheer number of connections but the depth and value of these connections gained by sharing collective brilliance. And in these shared experiences, in these 

collective wins and losses, a unique bond forms, often transcending the professional realm and seeping into the personal. 

“Imagine a boardroom where the companies that are your greatest inspiration become your allies, their leaders working with you to achieve success. And spending quality time and having fun with other members of the CANI Table crystallised the good friendships we created. It’s a great support network and it’s a proven model that works.” - Tim Hodges, Vincit Group

The value of shared wisdom and collaborative problem-solving is indisputable. The success stories of countless business owners in this and other peer networks prove this. I invite you to join us at TableNetwork, to take on the challenges of business ownership together. Let's conquer the slopes, one mogul at a time. 

Remember, the journey of business ownership, much like skiing, is not about the destination but about the journey, the learnings, the shared experiences, how long you manage to stay in motion, and the relationships built along the way. In this journey, may you find in TableNetwork your ski guide, your fellow skiers, and your warm lodge at the end of a long day. 

Ed Fowkes

July 2023