Smart Enough to Know
What is TEC? TEC is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of CEOs. TEC started in 1957 when Milwaukee businessman Bob Nourse determined it did not have to be lonely at the top. He had peers from whom he was learning and realized most of his knowledge came during his informal meetings and lunches. He called four of his fellow CEOs to his office at the Milwaukee Valve Company to test a simple, yet revolutionary idea — share knowledge and experience to help generate better results for business. Now more than 50 years later, TEC spans the globe with some 15,000 members — members who run some of the world’s largest companies — in 125 cities. Here in Wisconsin and Michigan, TEC has 55 groups with more than 700 members in all. At its core, TEC remains the same as when it started: small groups of 10-16 business leaders who meet regularly, help each other run their businesses more effectively and reap the benefits of what Nourse started.
Smart Enough to Know … It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top
Give yourself a competitive edge It might feel lonely at the top, but TEC eases that feeling by providing the opportunity for CEOs to learn from other CEOs in a confidential setting with an experienced TEC Chair. Group members share business challenges and help each other make decisions. Members hold each other accountable, and the results speak for themselves. In fact, TEC research shows members’ companies grow on average 2.5 times faster than companies without TEC members.
Smart Enough to Know … I don’t have all the answers Even the brightest business leaders need help every now and then, and they can ask for it at their TEC meetings. TEC provides feedback and discussion opportunities business leaders don’t get at other professional meetings. The wisdom and discernment members obtain from peers who are objective often sheds light on topics they’ve not seen before. The collective brainpower and experience of a TEC group helps members dig deep to find answers and stay strategic.
Joe Bartolotta, Bartolotta Restaurant Group Owner TEC member since 2008
Smart Enough to Know … What got me here won’t get me where I want to go When TEC members are faced with troubling situations, they ask each other tough questions. The thoughts and observations provided are based on what they’ve each garnered throughout their careers. The advice is often the most helpful for making better, faster, smarter decisions. One of the greatest benefits of TEC is its devotion to mutual support and hardcore troubleshooting with those whose experience and objectivity can help prevent problems and find solutions. TEC members receive: • Full-and half-day meetings facilitated by a specially-trained, experienced TEC Chair • Personal coaching sessions • Workshops led by business experts • Access to a global network of 15,000 business leaders • Online best practices library
Lisa Reardon, President CC&N TEC member since 2009
“TEC can be a great resource for senior executives
or business owners who wants to improve their company. In many cases, it’s like having a very knowledgeable group of consultants at your fingertips. However, the value of TEC is totally dependant on the quality of TEC Chair and group. —Glenn Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, InPro Corporation
”
“TEC will make a positive impact on your
evelopment and your ability to get through d obstacles and challenges. If your TEC Chair is as good as mine you’ll gain a trusted adviser and a professional friend. —Lisa Reardon, President CC&N
”
“If you want to learn, open up, be vulnerable, and grow personally and professionally, you couldn’t be involved in a better organization. ” —Ted Balistreri , Co-Owner Sendik’s Food Markets
Ted Balistreri , Co-Owner Sendik’s Food Markets TEC member since 2007
How does TEC work? TEC offers membership to invited CEOs, presidents and business owners with $3 million or more in annual sales and 25 or more employees. Individuals from smaller companies, those with sales of $750,000 to $3 million and with 5 to 25 employees may also join. TEC groups have 10-16 members and meet about every six weeks. Members are assigned to groups are from noncompeting industries and who have no business relationship with each other. Group meetings take on many formats, as do the one-on-one meetings members have with their group’s leader, or Chair. In a highly confidential and challenging format, members engage each other in frank discussions about specific strategic or competitive business issues Âincluding capital structure, financing, management, personnel and more. Topics are chosen with member input. At TEC meetings there are no axes to grind and no hidden agendas. Members share their expertise and experience, exchange ideas and Âopinions and offer objective, unbiased feedback. They respect each other and grow in their professional development because of a steadfast commitment to the long-term success of their peers. Each group is lead by an experienced, professional TEC Chair who acts as the facilitator for the group and its members. In addition each TEC member has protected access to TEC Online, which allows members to contact other members, participate in forum discussions, do research and share ideas with members worldwide.
Smart Enough to Know… I should join TEC TEC members recently told us why they joined. Here are some of their reasons: • To get impartial, objective feedback from other experienced CEOs • To enhance personal and professional development • To reduce the level of risk when making business decisions • To learn that TEC is like an “on-the-job MBA” • To maximize business opportunities and chances for success • To contribute to the success of others • To get help handling things that keep them up at night Smart business leaders join TEC for reasons as diverse as our membership. You’re smart too. Trust your inner voice … it’s probably telling you what you already know. You are smart enough to know the reason you need to join TEC. Join us, today 800-236-9832 262-821-3340 tec@tecmidwest.com
‟
”
www.tecmidwest.com Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube 13105 W. Bluemound Road, Suite 250 | Brookfield, WI 53005 262/821-3340 or 800/236-9832 Founded in Milwaukee in 1957; affiliate of Vistage International