How it Works…
There are six components to the XSP& program:
THE GROUP
Imagine sharing your successes and challenges with a group of like-minded individuals on a weekly basis; a mastermind-type of group that would help you as you work to grow your company’s presence and position in the marketplace. Since XSP& is a weekly group workshop you get to know these individuals pretty quickly. We carefully assemble each group in order to achieve a balance and comfort level amongst the members. You can be sure we won’t place you in a group with a competitor and we’ll make every effort to build the group with entrepreneurs who are experiencing similar stages of business growth.
THE YOU
It’s all about you and your business. It’s up to you how XSP& is going to help you expand your business. Your involvement and passion for your business and its growth is the prerequisite for your ultimate success in this program. Your weekly — and to a certain extent, daily — participation is paramount to experiencing what XSP& can do for you.
THE CONTENT
Based on the entrepreneurs we’ve consulted with over the years, we as a group are big fans of business books. We read them all the time; from biographies to business how-to books. We love to learn and each one provides us with at least a couple actionable tips. However, if you’re like us — and we hope you are at least a little — you hate those books that ask you to stop and make lists or write down your deepest thoughts or your business’ new mission statement.
It’s not so much that writing things down is wrong, in fact, it’s completely necessary. The problem is mixing the reading — the absorbing of information — with doing. It doesn’t flow. There’s a learning momentum that’s killed when you are asked to stop reading…you may as well have screaming kids in the other room and rock music blaring from your iPod. It’s not natural and it certainly doesn’t allow you to focus on the task at hand. Reading and note-taking are two very important aspects to learning and improving, but not when mixed together. If you’ve ever tried taking copious notes during a presentation you know that it’s hard not to miss the deeper message and tone. With that said, you can’t just rush through a 360-page book and then slam it shut and say “let’s do it” or then go back and do the work assignments. You could, but you’re going to have to commit to re-reading and getting yourself back into the content. We don’t think minds work that way.
This is why XSP& is great for the information-hungry entrepreneur. Yes, there are “write-it-down” exercises, but the activities are a natural part of the work discussion. We won’t be asking you to stop reading. The content in the XSP& book is meant to first be discussed, then read on your own time and, finally, then taken into action. Three steps not to be co-mingled: 1) Group meeting discussing the topic, 2) Go home and read, 3) Jot down what you’re going to do about it before we tackle the next subject the following week.
THE FOLLOW-UP
While the group sessions take place once a week, you’re able to collaborate with your XSP& group leader via phone and email throughout the week in order to stay on track. In addition, videos are available for certain chapters that allow you to review the workshop content and additional thoughts presented by the XSP& leader. The idea behind this ongoing availability is the fact that marketing doesn’t stop.
THE ACCOUNTABILITY
Have you ever had those dreams where you’re in school and you have a big exam coming up. Problem is that you never went to class or studied. Essentially, you’re screwed. Well, hopefully you don’t have that dream while you’re participating in XSP&! However, accountability is crucial to the success of this program. We hope you arrive each week prepared and ready to go. The group setting naturally builds in accountability. After all, who wants to disappoint those around them?
Accountability is doing what you say you will. That’s tough sometimes. Especially when we have a million and one things to do. The nature of XSP& allows you to focus and keeps you on track by meeting on a weekly basis. Most marketing initiatives don’t work that way. It’s typically a do and sit kind of experience. Hurry up and do the work and then sit back and watch it (most likely not) work.
THE PROOF
Everyone wants to see the ROI. One of the most exciting things about XSP& is the fact that we’re going to be tracking the real-time return on your investment of both time and money. We’ll start with a baseline survey and from there we will track your progress as well as the progress, growth and expansion of your company. The definition of XSP&’s success will vary for everyone. Our method of tracking will closely watch where you are and measure it against where you want to be. These statistics will not only be exciting for you to track, but they’ll also inspire others to see the benefits of participating in the XSP& program!
