For part of their regular retreat day, members hear a resource presentation. Local and regional experts speak on subjects of immediate interest to the members –real-time issues they must deal with today.

Presentations help members build their skill base and keep up with the fast pace of change by covering new business developments, strategies, and solutions. The speakers also form a strong base of resources readily available to the members. Recent presentation topics have included:

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  • Planning for Retirement: Creating the Future You Want
  • Leveraged Negotiations
  • Financial Management: Key Strategic Tools
  • Federal Health Reform: Time to Rethink Business Strategy
  • Leading Change & Transition
  • Buliding A Strategic Plan
  • Leader Tools: Mind Mapping & Road Mapping
  • Creating a Culture of Action
  • Build your EQ, Build your Bottom Line

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For the balance of their meeting, members focus on each other. In rotation, one member presents a business and strategic plan – and gets honest, unbiased feedback. Members improve or validate their plans before implementation, learn from others’ plans and are prompted to develop or improve their own. They are encouraged to set goals and report regularly to the group for support in their accomplishment. Then members lay on the table their most pressing business problems and opportunities, and brainstorm. Always they find that others have “been there” and can contribute resources and solutions. As one member says: “When issues are brought to Excell, I’m often amazed that the group’s collective answer is better than mine individually.”

Consultations: Members also meet one-to-one every month with their professional Group Leader, who helps them identify issues and apply ideas from the group and presentations. The Leader to Leader™ process is incredibly effective at identifying obstacles to growth and improvement and working to remove them.