Frequently Asked Questions
What is Business Mastermind Solutions?
Business Mastermind Solutions (BMS) provides business owners, sole traders, freelancers and other decision makers like you with local and international opportunities to access the support and experience of seven of your peers in an environment especially designed to grow your business.
Who is my Business Mastermind Facilitator/Coach?
Your Facilitator James Shoemark has over twelve years experience of facilitating and coaching groups and has over ten years experience as a business owner, manager and director.
Who else will be in my Mastermind Group?
Your local Mastermind Group members will be from non-competing businesses in which they are the decision maker. Of course, it is important that members trust and want to help each other in the spirit of Napoleon Hill’s ‘Cooperative Alliance’, so James ensures that your group consists of the right mix of personalities, backgrounds and business experiences.
Rather than insist that each member has been in business for the same length of time, or have the same levels of turnover, James believes that members who have been in business for a shorter period will bring resources to the group such as energy, fresh perspectives and new techniques. Members who have been in business much longer will of course bring experience and wisdom.
What kind of support can I ask for in my Mastermind Group?
You can ask for support regarding any business issue, or self-development topics:
- Seek answers to marketing decisions or help with sales techniques to increase your profits
- Find clarity on what key performance indicators to use
- Receive feedback on a new pitch, website or newsletter
- Receive guidance on how to repackage a service you provide to add more value
- Seek suggestions on how to impress a new client
- Benefit from support to keep you motivated when you are feeling overwhelmed
- Ask people to hold you accountable to tasks you have set yourself
However, who knows what priceless benefit you might receive from your ‘Cooperative Alliance’.
What happens in my monthly Mastermind Group?
| 1:00pm | Arrival, Tea & Coffee |
| 1:15pm | Welcome & member highlights on progress made on previous month and state in one word what they are looking to receive today: advice, clarity, encouragement or feedback |
| 1:50pm | Each member presents their challenge and the group works together for twenty minutes to find the best solution, provide clarity, give objective feedback or emotional support for that member. That member then decides on what action to take forward or summarises how their thinking has changed. This process is then repeated for each group member. |
| 4:00pm | A guest speaker presents on a specialist area decided by the group followed by Q&A |
| 4:45pm | Each member states the most valuable insight received or resolution decided today |
| 5:00pm | Close |
What if I need support between Mastermind Group meetings?
In addition to your personal business coaching, your group has its own private online members forum where you can continue discussions, post your work for feedback or raise new questions.
What is the role of my Facilitator/Coach?
Besides facilitating the mastermind groups, James meets individually with you and each other member between the monthly groups for 1-to-1 business coaching. Using copyrighted tools and techniques James helps you to clarify your thinking, establish your priorities, create strategies and make progress to realising your business dreams.
How does Business Coaching work?
Instead of creating dependency, James specialises in enabling business owners like you to become the expert on your business. Meeting for 1 or 2 hours between groups, he uses copyrighted tools to help you clarify your thinking, establish your priorities, create strategies and make progress to realising your dreams. James is insightful and with powerful questioning, can help you learn more about yourself and help you to see opportunities for significant growth.
Do I have to apply for membership or is it by invitation only?
It depends on the route you have taken to get to this point. You want to be sure that you can trust your fellow group members and that they are going to be as committed to helping you with your business as you are going to help them with theirs, so it is my job to make sure that your group members meet these criteria. If I have known you for some time and I think you have integrity and a desire to grow your business, then I will invite you to become a member. If I do not know you, then you will need to fill in an application form to join.
What happens after I have accepted/been accepted?
The first month’s membership is all about working out where you are in your business today, establishing a compelling vision for the future and preparing for your first group meeting, which takes place the following month.
The process for this is as follows:
- After you have paid the joining fee of £160, you will meet with me to undergo DiSC profiling by an accredited assessor (this normally costs £300) and member orientation. We will sign the necessary non-disclosure agreements; I will present you with the Members Handbook, Mastermind Success Journal, a pass code to take the Strengths Finder 2.0 assessment and a copy of Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich. You will receive instructions on how to access to your members online forum so that you can begin communicating with your fellow members as soon as possible and receive other documentation.
- We will then meet for a 1-to-1 Business Coaching session to incorporate your new personal insights with an assessment of your business into a compelling vision and strategy for the next twelve months. I will also help you to compile a biography for you to use during introductions at the first Mastermind Group meeting. The cost of this is £210 and makes up the balance of the first months fees of £370.
- The first Mastermind Group meeting will consist of activities designed to help the group members get to know each other and establish the trust necessary for the Mastermind Group to function effectively. We will also set the dates for your monthly Mastermind Groups for the rest of the year; your 1-to-1 Business Coaching dates will be set each month to suit your diary.
What will my time commitment be?
The group meetings occur every month between 1:00 – 5:00pm on a date that has been decided in advance to be suitable for all of the members. As your group members rely on your support as much as you rely on theirs, you are expected to make a commitment to attending as many group meetings as you can. Of course, punctuality is essential.
In addition to the group meetings, your participation in the member’s online forum is recommended. A lot of progress can be achieved with the online support of your fellow members. Remember they have as much an investment in your success as you do in theirs.
How confidential will these meetings be?
Although members can make their own notes, the meetings are not recorded. Each member is required to sign a non-disclosure agreement before the first group meeting so you can be assured that our conversations are kept confidential. Holyrood Coaching is registered with the UK Information Commissioner and fully complies with the Data Protection Act.
What your Mastermind Group is NOT
Your Mastermind Group is not a think tank for external clients. The purpose of the group is to provide you with advantages that come from the counsel and personal cooperation of people who are willing to give you wholehearted aid in achieving your business goals and aspirations.
Your Mastermind Group is not limited to merely being a networking or referral group. While there will be many opportunities to share quality leads with each other, the purpose of your group is to help you make exceptional progress in the development of your business by utilising the support, wisdom and experience that each of your trusted peers has accumulated over the years. One new unimagined solution or opportunity from one of the eight minds on your group could give you a much larger return on your investment than ten referrals would. Be ambitious.
Your Mastermind Group is not a group-coaching programme. Advice will be freely given and brainstorming with the entire group to solve problems, create ideas and make decisions will generate strong action plans and the results you need. This is the major reason why people join.
Your Mastermind Group is not a training course. You bring your own agenda to each Mastermind Group, and decide what is most important for you to talk about based on what's going on with your business in that particular moment in time. You also choose the specialist guest speakers and topics.
Who should NOT join a Mastermind Group?
These types of people should not join a Mastermind Group:
- People who are not committed - We want those who do whatever it takes to grow their business
- People who cannot afford the time – We believe in working ON our business rather than IN it
- Those who are unable to ask for help or accept the support given – it’s a ‘Cooperative Alliance’
What if I am not happy with the Mastermind Group I belong to?
You do not need to worry about "problem members" or the group not running smoothly, as a professionally trained Mastermind Group Facilitator it is my job to make sure the group members work together effectively. If any problems do arise, let me know and I will take care of it. Remember, the purpose of your Mastermind Group is for your collaborative alliance to work in a spirit of ‘Perfect Harmony’ and shared endeavour.
Can I be "Fired" from my Mastermind Group?
Yes! Your Mastermind Group’s etiquette, rights and responsibilities are suggested by the members and agreed to by consensus. If your fellow members think that you are not abiding by the agreed etiquette, rights and responsibilities, or you begin to miss meetings without reasonable justification they will ask you to leave the group and your money will not be refunded. Your group needs members committed to growing each other’s businesses.
Sign up now by calling James on +44 (0) 777 332 4322 or email via james@holyroodcoaching.co.uk.