As the saying goes, "leaders are learners." 

Successful business leaders know that in order to stay ahead of the curve, they must continuously improve their skills and knowledge. But with so many options for courses, training, team building, and networking events available, it can be difficult to determine which ones are worth the time and investment. 

The question many CEOs ask is, "Are there tangible or provable benefits for me if I attend these types of events?" The answer is a resounding yes. Although, and there’s always a caveat, with all the choice available, all are definitely not created equal. 

Investing in the development of the business leader can lead to a wide range of benefits, both for the individual and the company they lead. These benefits can include increased productivity, improved employee retention, better decision making, and perhaps most importantly higher revenue and profits.

In this article, we will explore the tangible benefits that business owners can expect to see when attending courses, training, team building, networking events and peer group masterminds. We will dive into specific studies and research to understand how these activities can impact an entrepreneur’s performance and bottom line.

Whether you are a seasoned CEO or just starting out, it's important to consider the value of investing in your own development. I know, we all think we’re pretty fabulous already… but the benefits really are too great to ignore. Moreover the benefits don’t just apply to you, but they spread to your team, and enhance your business. 

The Importance of Continuous Learning 

As the leader of a company, a CEO is responsible for making crucial decisions that can impact the success and growth of their organization. In order to make the best decisions possible, it is crucial for leaders to continually learn and improve their skills and knowledge. This is why continuous learning is so essential. 

Continuous learning relevant to business leaders involves the ongoing acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and competencies that are relevant to one's profession or industry. This can be accomplished through a variety of methods, from attending courses, to participating in regular peer group masterminds. By continuously learning, CEOs can stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices, while also developing new skills that can help them lead their organizations more effectively.

One of the most important reasons why continuous learning is crucial for us is that it helps us stay relevant and adaptable. In today's fast-paced business environment, things can change quickly, and organizations that fail to keep up risk falling behind their competitors. By continuously learning, we can stay informed about the latest trends and developments in our industry, and adapt our strategies accordingly. But the world does appear to change with increasing speed, and finding more expeditious methods to keep ahead of the learning curve is important. 

Continuous learning also helps us develop new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. When faced with a difficult challenge, we tend to fall back on familiar solutions or ways of thinking. However, by continuously learning and exposing ourselves to new ideas and approaches, we can broaden our perspective and develop new strategies for tackling problems. 

Becoming busy, and acting in urgency, has been found to reduce creativity within problem solving. Take time out of the hustle. Retiring to an environment created specifically for thought, especially with others to bounce off, can help business leaders stay adaptable, be creative, and in turn, stay ahead of the competition. 

Moreover, continuous learning by the business leader, helps foster a culture of learning and growth within their organization. When we model a commitment to learning, it sends a message to our employees that ongoing development and improvement are valued. This, in turn, can inspire employees to seek out opportunities for their own learning and development, which statistically leads to a more engaged and motivated workforce. And engagement is not the only value to be found. 

In addition, there is much evidence to suggest that continuous learning can have a positive impact on organizational performance, and the bottom line. A study by the Association for Talent Development found that companies that invest in employee training and development have 218% higher income per employee than companies that don't. That’s more than double the profits, and a more engaged workforce, from spending on education. I’ll take some of that please! 

Overall, the importance of continuous learning for us, the leaders, cannot be overstated. By continuously learning and developing our skills and knowledge, as business leaders, we stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing business environment, develop new perspectives and approaches to problem-solving, and foster a culture of learning and growth within our organisations. Moreover, investing in the leader’s development can have a positive impact on organisational performance, making it a sound investment for any organisation.

Peer Group Masterminds 

Increasingly, masterminding with peers is key to - providing solutions, increasing creativity in problem solving, the ability to stay ahead of changes, gaining advantage over the competition, increasing market share, reducing costs, increasing profit on revenue, and finding new avenues for marketing and sales. 

The business world is dynamic and staying static is the quickest route to obsolescence. Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business owners constantly seek avenues for growth and improvement, and an increasingly well-regarded avenue, rapidly gaining traction for its unparalleled advantages, is the engagement in peer group masterminds, like those practised by TableNetwork. 

Masterminds are not new of course, and I first came across the idea in a book written 75 years ago, but many still don’t practice them, or have even witnessed their power. The masterminds described in Think and Grow Rich were a figment of the imagination. We can all draw on iconic and influential figures and ask “what would he/she say?”, but this only allows us to access more of our own minds. Tables are real, and their power derives from more minds than your own coming to your aid, and the diversity of thought that lies within them. 

Harnessing Collective Wisdom

In a Table mastermind group, the combined knowledge of industry leaders can provide solutions to complex business challenges. Around a Table there’s 100’s of years of collective experience, and often 100’s of hours of experience in solving your one problem of that moment. 

Having multiple perspectives allows participants to draw from diverse experiences, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of a problem. An article in Forbes explains how peer masterminds, through collective intelligence, can provide actionable solutions to complex business problems.

Igniting Creative Sparks

Group brainstorming in face-to-face peer group masterminds can lead to innovative problem-solving approaches. The diversity of thought processes and experiences promotes a fusion of ideas, often resulting in creative solutions unattainable in isolation. I've mentioned creativity a fair bit so I won't rattle on, but I will take the opportunity to provide links to some third party comment.

The NHS cited the tangible benefits of brainstorming in its guide to innovation for leaders, and a report by the World Economic Forum lists critical thinking and creativity among the top skills needed at the current time, and in my experience they’re not wrong. 

Staying Ahead of the Curve

In a fast-evolving business landscape, a mastermind group can offer insights into emerging trends and shifts, helping CEOs anticipate and adapt to changes. By analysing trends and sharing insights, members gain a competitive edge. This proactive approach reduces reactionary strategies, ensuring businesses stay ahead rather than just catch up. 

Gaining the Competitive Edge

Having a trusted group to brainstorm with can lead to innovative strategies that provide a competitive advantage. Equally, by learning from peers' successes and mistakes, each can refine their own strategies, increasing market share. The Boston Consulting Group highlighted that companies that emphasize collaborative learning and innovation often outperform their competitors.

Boosting Profit Margins

A major concern for any business owner is the bottom line. Peer groups can share cost-saving strategies, efficient operational methods, and avenues for increasing revenue. And while the closer they are, the more like competition they may seem, they are also the most well placed to help. McKinsey & Company suggest that organizations that foster collaborative decision-making often see an improvement in their profit margins due to the shared expertise and innovative solutions they employ.

Expanding Marketing and Sales Horizons

With the digital age ushering in countless marketing avenues, it's easy for even the best leaders to feel overwhelmed. A mastermind group can provide clarity, sharing which strategies yield longer term results and which are mere fads. This streamlines efforts and resources, ensuring optimal returns on marketing investments.

Networking Opportunities

Beyond problem-solving and brainstorming, peer group masterminds also provide the most valuable networking. Building relationships with other influential business owners and leaders can lead to collaborations, partnerships, and even mergers. 

Maintaining Accountability

In a mastermind setting, and the Table method is no different, entrepreneurs set goals and check-in regularly with peers, fostering a sense of accountability within their community. This ongoing accountability ensures that they remain on track and committed to their strategic objectives, which many find hugely valuable. 

Mental and Emotional Support

Running a business can be isolating. Peer masterminds provide leaders with a supportive environment, where they can share challenges and successes alike, ensuring mental well-being alongside business growth. Being part of a trusted community is so important when you’re human! 

The benefits of participating in peer group masterminds, like those run by TableNetwork, are manifold. By fostering collaboration, creativity, and shared learning, they ensure that leaders are equipped with the tools, insights, and relationships to drive their businesses forward and keep leading. Investing in such a platform is, undeniably, investing in the future success of one's enterprise.

Benefits of Attending Courses

As the business world evolves, leaders must adapt to new challenges, technologies, and methods to remain competitive. Attending courses and training programs can help entrepreneurs and CEOs acquire the skills and knowledge they need to stay ahead of the curve. Below I provide some benefits of attending courses, and I will in part tell my own story of when I first embraced leadership development, and went on a year long course! 

Up-to-Date Knowledge 

Courses offer CEOs an opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in their field. The curriculum of courses is designed to provide practical and applicable information to participants, which can be applied in their day-to-day activities, and they will soon die if the information isn't up to date. 

In 2010 I enrolled in Simon Zutshi’s year-long property course. I had been in real estate for over 15 years at the time and I had had some good success, but with the financial crisis in 2009, lending rules changed dramatically. I had just taken two years off in what turned out to be a rather temporary early retirement, I knew I needed to keep up, and that my strategies needed to adapt. 

The course enlightened me to strategies I’d never imagined, and my first Option flip more than paid for the year’s course in just a couple of days work. So, I wasn’t going to let my development stop there. 

Networking Opportunities 

Courses provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to connect with peers in their industry. Interacting with other leaders and can generate new collaborations, partnerships, and friendships. These connections can be valuable when seeking new business opportunities or finding solutions to common problems. 

While on his course, Simon generously offered me the opportunity to launch a networking meeting for his brand in Canary Wharf. I’d never really networked before that, and talk about jumping in the deep end. But the experience was transformational. I met hundreds, probably thousands of people, many of whom were friendly, useful and well connected, and some I’m still in touch with. And, I increased my own credibility amongst my network dramatically. 

Increased Credibility 

By attending courses and training programs, leaders show their commitment to continuous learning and professional development. This can enhance their reputation as industry experts, and can help to build credibility with employees, investors, and customers. 

Aside from running Canary Wharf pin, I was also fortunate that I was invited to speak at others’ events, on subjects from landlord compliance to building businesses. Again, I was merely embracing the learning process. I wasn’t great at speaking, but I had knowledge to share. Over time I became better at speaking, and I now frequently find myself with invitations to do more of it and I really enjoy adding value for other by sharing. Tomorrow, for example, I’m speaking for a group of real estate developers, guiding them through the "What to do and What Not to do When Running a Development Business".

Enhanced Skills 

Courses offer leaders an opportunity to develop new skills or improve existing ones. Entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of specific topics, such as financial management, marketing, or leadership. By developing these skills, CEOs can make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and lead their organizations more efficiently.

Exposure to Different Perspectives 

Courses bring together CEOs from different organizations and industries. This exposure to different perspectives can broaden their horizons and help them to see things from a new point of view. It can also help leaders to identify new opportunities, and to adapt their strategies to changing market conditions. 

On Simon’s course with me was Mike Bristow, now CEO of Crowd Property, who had a very different background to my own. We appreciated the difference in each other and started working together, and I learned much from his way of looking at things that allowed me to appeal to a wider audience. 

I also learned about working with Housing Authority tenants from Mike Frisby, a mentor and speaker for Simon. My father was a lawyer, and because of that I sort of like rules, and I like to find loopholes. I used Mike's information to my advantage. I set a strategy that looked after less fortunate people who I’d grown up around in Hackney, but which allowed me to gain greatly improved yields in London Zone 2. Later I was able to use this knowledge to launch and run a social enterprise, housing women who were escaping violent relationships, and those who’d just been released from prison.

Improved Decision Making 

By attending courses, leaders learn to make better decisions by applying analytical frameworks and strategic thinking tools. This can help them make more informed decisions that are based on data and analysis rather than gut feelings or intuition. 

My experience is that a community of peers to help you, can be hugely valuable in the area of decision making and creativity. This is the essence of TableNetwork. I’m a born creative, and even so, having trusted people to bounce off, to discuss variations with, increases the creativity of outcome. It allows for varying perspectives to each problem, and points out things you’ve missed. 

Personal Growth 

Courses can help leaders to develop personally, by improving their communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. These skills are essential for effective management and can also enhance their personal relationships and social interactions. 

Simon’s course also introduced me to Tony Robbins, Think and Grow Rich, and a whole rabbit hole of both personal and business development strategies. I take everything with a very scientific and empirical view, as is my way, and I have managed to use much of it to my advantage over the years. 

Successful peers continuously introduce you to interesting and useful new avenues for improvement, growth, skills and opportunities. So finding a way to regularly interact with them is key to maintaining your own growth and success. 

Attending courses and training programs can offer entrepreneurs and business leaders a variety of benefits, including up-to-date knowledge, networking opportunities, increased credibility, enhanced skills, exposure to different perspectives, improved decision making, and personal growth. By investing in their own professional development, CEOs can position themselves and their organizations for success in a rapidly changing business landscape.

The Impact of Team Building

Team building is an essential component of any business, as it fosters a culture of collaboration, trust, and effective communication among employees. In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the business world of using team building activities to enhance the skills and abilities of senior executives and CEOs. In this section, we will explore the impact of team building on CEOs and the benefits it brings to their companies.

Improved Communication and Collaboration Skills 

Team building exercises help to improve communication and collaboration skills among CEOs and their teams. By participating in group activities, leaders learn how to communicate more effectively and listen actively to their colleagues. They also learn how to build trust, respect, and empathy among team members, which can improve collaboration and teamwork. 

Some friends have a team building retreat in California, where they get physical and spiritual to help businesses understand how they interact in some out of the box collaborative situations, and their processes have uncovered some interesting results from pinpointing failures in team leaders, to uncovering amazingly useful skills in apprentices. 

Buckso Dhillon runs a rather different experience, having noticed the shortfalls of more traditional team building exercises which often enhance the already set characteristics of participants. She instead helps people recognise their core essence, to become self-aware and to embrace their being. From participation, teams can genuinely become more, and the understanding gained from her system can be truly transformative. 

There are many ways and systems to help your team gel. Studies have shown that businesses that invest in almost any team building activities have better communication and collaboration skills, leading to higher employee engagement, job satisfaction, and improved productivity. A report by the Association for Talent Development found that companies with effective team-building strategies have a 60% higher success rate in achieving their goals than those without such strategies.

Enhanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills 

Team building activities can also help CEOs enhance their problem-solving and decision-making skills. In person meetings increase creativity over online equivalents. By working together to solve complex challenges, business leaders can learn how to think creatively and develop innovative solutions. They also learn how to make decisions in a collaborative and inclusive manner, which can lead to better outcomes for the company. 

One of the problems business leaders face, that I have written about before, and is one of the key drivers for TableNetwork, is the problem of becoming lonely at the top. I was talking about this only last night with an impressive young estate agency owner, Lila Selim, at an event at the rather lovely Home Grown, who realised that she now runs into fewer and fewer people that can actually help her at networking events. There are many advantages to sharing and collaborating with your team, including a freshness which leads to creativity. Doing so with peers has more elevated advantages - like challenging existing assumptions, introducing you to new concepts and strategies - and finding opportunities to spend intentional time brainstorming with peers proves very beneficial to CEOs and their businesses. 

A study by Deloitte found that companies that invest in team building activities have a 21% higher profitability rate than those that do not. The study also found that companies with effective team-building strategies have a 17% higher customer satisfaction rate than those without such strategies. The Harvard Business Review found a CEOs network could increase their wealth sixteen-fold. Yet again, we find the benefits spread to our bottom line. 

Improved Leadership Skills 

By leading a team through a challenging task, and watching others do the same, CEOs can learn about and develop their leadership style and learn how to better motivate and inspire their team members. They also learn how to delegate tasks effectively and trust their team members to complete them. Many leaders find practicing these skills with other leaders is helpful as they are able to fail and learn with and from each other without losing face amongst their own team. This is one of the many services offered to members of TableNetwork. 

A report by McKinsey & Company found that companies with strong leadership are more likely to have high-performing teams and achieve their strategic objectives. The report also found that effective leadership is critical to driving employee engagement and improving overall company performance.

Increased Employee Engagement and Retention 

By fostering a positive and inclusive culture, CEOs tend to create a work environment that employees enjoy and are motivated to be a part of. When employees feel engaged and valued, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term.

A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that companies with effective team-building strategies have a 41% lower employee turnover rate than those without such strategies. The study also found that companies with strong cultures have a 72% higher employee retention rate than those without.

Across the board, team building activities are an effective way for CEOs to enhance their communication and collaboration skills, improve their problem-solving and decision-making abilities and develop their leadership style. These can be learned with peers, practiced, and perfected with the company team. This then leads to increased employee engagement and retention. 

By investing in team building activities, companies can create a positive and inclusive culture that fosters innovation, creativity, and productivity, in turn increasing outcomes. 

Networking for CEOs

Networking is a vital component of a CEO's professional growth and development. It involves building relationships, sharing knowledge, and seeking out opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. As the saying goes, "It's not what you know, but who you know," and in the business world, knowing the right people can give one a springboard from time to time. But this is the utopia. Let us start with the basics. 

A study conducted by LinkedIn found that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. It’s a very broad assumption and certainly arguable, but it clearly highlights the importance of building and maintaining professional relationships for everyone. Networking allows the leader, or their team, to tap into the hidden job market, which is comprised of job opportunities that are not publicly advertised. And there are plenty of other 'hidden' markets. This can be a significant advantage when seeking out top talent for one's own organisation or exploring new career opportunities.

One of the most significant benefits of networking for business owners is the potential to gain new clients or customers. This again was a subject discussed last night as Lila said she had become tired of property networking, realising the need to really 'network' where her customers are. The need to network and grow your network in a focused and intentional manner is increasingly important as you climb the ladder of your career. On average CEOs in the US spend over 25% of their time on networking activities so in wages alone, that’s a lot of value to bring back in. 

A leader who has built strong professional relationships with peers and organizations in their industry is more likely to attract new business and retain existing customers. Building trust and stronger relationships can lead to long-term partnerships and increased revenue, and this is part of the reason why TableNetwork’s mastermind Tables are so powerful, on top of the core pillars of bringing clarity to your vision and increasing creativity in your problem solving. 

Another benefit of Tables is the opportunity to raise participants’ personal and professional profiles. Attending events and engaging with peers, leaders establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry, share their expertise, and build their reputation. You become respected by the best, and everyone else inevitably follows. This can lead to speaking opportunities, media coverage, and other professional opportunities that can enhance their career trajectory. 

TableNetwork’s main focus of benefit is the ability to connect like-minded individuals who face similar challenges and opportunities so they can help each other succeed. Entrepreneurs and business owners meet with peers from their industry regularly, and different industries for specific events. They exchange ideas and perspectives and gain insights into best practices and trends. Moreover, CEOs get the chance to learn from others' experiences and insights. They can gain valuable feedback on business strategies, receive mentorship and guidance, and access resources that may not have been available otherwise.

Lastly, networking with the right people also provides leaders with access to potential investors and funding opportunities. By building relationships with venture capitalists, angel investors, or other sources of capital, CEOs can position themselves for future fundraising rounds, strategic partnerships, or mergers and acquisitions. 

By discussing with other leaders in similar business situations, business owners can discover new lending strategies, at times opening the door to reductions in interest rates. In a peer group meeting, Leman’s CEO, Jim Pekar, discovered they could reduce their lending rate by 0.75% per annum, and saved them $300,000 a year. I think the lesson there is, be present, stay alert, and catch those golden nuggets.

Networking is an essential part of a leader’s professional development, that continues in order to maintain the leadership position. As one ascends the career ladder, concentrating on networking in the right environment, with the right people, offers a range of benefits, including access to new opportunities, insights into best practices, and potential revenue streams. By attending events with peers, CEOs can build strong professional relationships, establish themselves as thought leaders, continuously improve their ability and position themselves for long-term success.

The Impact of Leadership Training

Effective leadership is critical to the success of any organization and it’s valuable for entrepreneurs and owners to hone this skill as we covered briefly above. It is the role of the leader, the CEO, to provide vision and direction to the company, inspire and motivate employees, and make tough decisions that drive growth and profitability. Being a great leader requires continuous learning and development and this is where leadership training comes in.

Leadership training programs can range from one-day workshops to multi-week courses and are designed to help CEOs develop and refine their leadership skills. Programs, like courses, are not all created equal, but the benefits of good leadership training are numerous and can have a significant impact on the performance of the leader, and of the organization as a whole.

Improved Decision Making 

One of the key benefits of leadership training is improved decision-making skills. CEOs are constantly faced with tough decisions that can have far-reaching consequences for the organization. Leadership training provides the skills and tools necessary to make informed decisions, weigh risks and benefits, and evaluate potential outcomes. Add to this a method of checking in with peers for a second opinion, and the results can be really stellar. 

Enhanced Communication Skills

Effective communication is a critical aspect of leadership. CEOs must be able to communicate their vision and goals to employees, investors, and other stakeholders. As a creative, I have often benefitted from a very clear vision, in my head. But as a dyslexic, sharing my clarity was often a challenge. Leadership training programs help leaders develop their communication skills, including active listening, effective speaking, and nonverbal communication. 

We’ve had to turn away a few applicants to TableNetwork in recent weeks, because they appeared unable to listen and were more intent on talking. In order to benefit and be beneficial at a mastermind Table, listening, really listening to understand, is often more important than talking. God made us with two ears after all, an indication of their importance. And it’s very hard to help another with their challenge if we haven’t understood what it is. 

Increased Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and to assist with the emotions of others. Leaders with high EI are better able to manage stress, resolve conflicts, and inspire and motivate employees. They can also be better sellers of their ideas as they lose the emotion and concentrate on the benefit to the person they're talking with. Leadership training can help entrepreneurs develop their emotional intelligence by providing a better understanding of how emotions impact behaviour and decision-making.

Coaching can also do this. I was catching up with Adrian O'Gara yesterday, listening to his own business passions, and learning about the three levels of mindset we all inhabit. The parent who wants to tell others how to do it better. The adult who does, and follows. And the child, who either obeys or answers back. Leaders who understand who they are in each of these states and knows when they enter them, can transform their emotional intelligence, and their interactions with others.

Improved Time Management

Time management is critical for CEOs who must balance multiple responsibilities and demands on their time. Spending time reacting in urgency is one of the more common problems of business owners that can lead to a company’s downfall. Leadership training programs can provide entrepreneurs with strategies for managing their time more effectively, including prioritization, delegation, and goal setting. 

As a member of a Table you benefit from both the CashFlowClarity report and a constant reminder of your point in the annual cycle. This specifically helps with setting and maintaining your plan and setting and reaching the goals for your business. And it helps bring clarity when prioritising and delegating, something that is often lost in urgent situations. 

Enhanced Creativity and Innovation 

Innovation is a key driver of growth and success for organisations. Business owners who are able to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems are better positioned for success. Leadership training programs can help CEOs develop their creativity and innovation skills by providing tools and strategies for brainstorming, ideation, and problem-solving. Again, true peer group masterminds win above all else when it comes to gaining a creativity boost. 

Improved Employee Engagement and Retention

Effective leadership is critical for employee engagement and retention. Employees are more likely to stay with an organization where they feel valued, supported, and challenged. Leadership training programs can help entrepreneurs develop the skills necessary to create a positive work environment, inspire and motivate employees, and foster a culture of growth and development.

Increased Confidence

CEOs who participate in leadership training programs often report increased confidence in their leadership abilities. This confidence can have a positive impact on the entire organisation by inspiring trust and respect from employees, investors, and other stakeholders. Do be careful though, as confidence is of course the top of the slippery slope that is arrogance. 

Leadership training can be incredibly valuable for those wanting to improve their leadership skills, drive growth and profitability, and create a positive work environment. The benefits of leadership training programs are numerous and can have a significant impact on the performance of both the business owner and the organization as a whole. Investing in leadership development is an investment in the future of the organization. 

The ROI of CEO Development

Investing in development of the business leader is not only beneficial for the individual, but also for the company as a whole. The return on investment (ROI) of CEO development is often measured in terms of improved performance, growth, and profitability of the organization. So let us have a roundup of the tangible benefits of developing leaders and the ways in which they can be measured. 

Improved Performance

One of the primary benefits of CEO development is improved performance. Leaders, the business owners, develop new skills and improve existing ones. And even as an aging white man I can profusely extoll the virtues of doing this. Learning new skills, no matter what age you are, leads to more effective decision-making, better communication with employees and stakeholders, and more efficient management of resources.

A study by the Harvard Business Review found that companies that invest in leadership development programs saw a 4-5 times return on their investment. Now that’s a simplistic statistic, as many development programs don’t return at all. Attention needs to be focused on communication, planning and problem solving in order to really shine. CEOs who participate in these programs are better equipped to lead their organizations through change and uncertainty, which can result in better overall performance.

Growth

Development of the business leader can also contribute to the growth of a company. By developing new skills and strategies, CEOs are more able to create new opportunities for the company and improve its competitiveness in the market. They can identify new markets, products, or services that the company can offer and implement new processes that increase efficiency and productivity.

Looking at a variety of sources and taking an average, it seems that companies that invest in leadership development programs experience around 15% higher revenue growth than those that do not. Add the compound effect and that’s a steep difference over five years or more. Leaders who participate in these programs are obviously well equipped to identify and pursue growth opportunities, which can result in increased revenue and market share.

Profitability

The ultimate goal of any business is profitability. CEO development programs can help business leaders make better decisions, which can lead to improved financial performance. By developing a better understanding of financial management, entrepreneurs can make more informed decisions about investments, cost-cutting measures, and pricing strategies. This is specifically why TableNetwork carry out their CashFlowClarity report for each member of every Table, every year, included as part of membership. 

The evidence is clear that leadership development, attending courses, team building, networking events, leadership training, and increasingly mastermind groups, can lead to significant benefits for both the business leader and their organisation. By continuously learning and improving, leaders can better position their company for success, particularly in an increasingly competitive and ever-changing business landscape.

I’m very pleased with the approach being taken by TableNetwork, as we concentrate on the proven benefits, with empirical evidence to back up all claims. The points of focus being understanding numbers, annual planning and execution, adaptability, innovative problem solving, accountability, and networking with trusted peers. TableNetwork summarises this as the three pillars - Clarity, Creativity and Community. 

If you’d like to get connected immediately, a good place to start is the TableNetwork CommunityForum, an online environment where leaders can support each other, and any products that appear are tried and tested before they’re allowed near the place. If only more networks were like ours!

Ed Fowkes

September 2023