Hot Coffee Coaching: Vistage

Business owners and leaders who are willing to be challenged professionally and personally may be interested in pursuing membership in Vistage, International. Vistage is an invitation-only, selection-based membership organization designed for professionals who are dedicated to aggressively growing their businesses and themselves. Chicago is home to one of the largest and most active Vistage communities.

Julie Colbrese is the only Vistage Chair in the Chicago area to hold two internationally recognized coaching certifications. She is a Business Coach/Group Facilitator for three Vistage groups:

Chief Executive Group #369

For CEOs of mid– to large–companies, the Chief Executive program provides professional development and peer group feedback on today’s most challenging business issues. Membership includes:

•	Monthly full–day problem solving meetings with up to 15 CEOs, presidents and business owners, planned and facilitated by Julie
•	Monthly face-to-face coaching sessions with Julie
•	Eight yearly workshops featuring world–class speakers on topics ranging from financials to hiring practices to marketing and sales
•	A vistage.com account with members–only access to an online best practices library and a global network of more than 16,000 business leaders

“Vistage has been a continuous source of valuable information, perspective and learning. The candid insights received from Team Members and Julie, our Chair, regarding business issues and challenges is like having a personal Advisory Board. Speakers offer excellent advice and perspective on a broad range of relevant topics.”
	—Ted Sawicz, Executive Vice President & CFO Grecian Delight Foods, Inc.

“I have been a member of Vistage for more than 15 years. With the assistance of the group members and the two Chairs I have had, my company has grown significantly. This can be attributed to being challenged and held accountable. With our monthly group meetings and my one-to-ones with Julie I have grown personally and professionally. For me, Vistage has become invaluable.”
	—Kevin P. McConkey, President Champion Logistics Group

Small Business Group #2013

Tailored to the particular challenges of leaders running smaller companies, the Small Business Program sharpens its members’ focus on strategy and growth. Membership includes:

•	Monthly half–day problem solving meetings with up to 15 business owners, planned and facilitated by Julie
•	Monthly face–to–face coaching session with Julie
•	Four yearly workshops featuring world–class speakers on topics ranging from financials to hiring practices to marketing and sales
•	A vistage.com account with exclusive access to an online best practices library and a global network of more than 16,000 business leaders

“Your coaching really helped me realize that this was my problem and mine to fix. There will come a time…that this situation will present itself again. I’m going to continue to exercise my ‘impulse–to–react muscle’ and lean in rather than try to get out. Thank you for listening and coaching me through this. Yesterday was my most uncomfortable meeting with you and most productive.”
	—Eric M. Hilliard, Sales Manager Machinery Systems, Inc.

“Great meeting yesterday. ALL I keep telling myself is to hire the talent and do the biggest deals. (Speaker) Brad Farris was great. I want to tap into EVERYTHING Vistage has.”
	—Courtney Wright, President CDW Merchants

Trusted Advisor Group #1302

The Trusted Advisor Program is for professional service providers such as bankers, attorneys, recruiters and accountants. Members gain an instant network with new perspectives on how to grow their practices, meet tough challenges and better serve their clients. Membership includes:

•	Monthly half–day, problem-solving meetings with up to 15 leaders from the business services sector, planned and facilitated by Julie
•	Ongoing coaching from Julie on an as–needed basis
•	A vistage.com account with exclusive access to an online best practices library and a global network of more than 16,000 business leaders

“The feedback from other business owners of various demographics and disciplines is invaluable in making marketing and staffing decisions. Our group has helped me improve my communication with my business partners and increase my business development efforts while maintaining my work life balance.”
	—Heather Locus, Principal Balasa Dinverno & Foltz LLC

“Having regular access to professionals in such a variety of industries is amazing…every month I learn something new about wealth management, or IT networking, or marketing, or just general good business practices. Plus, it’s really handy to run a tax issue by an accountant or pick a lawyer’s brain about a contract in a peer–to–peer environment.”
	—Shachar Meron, Principal BatesMeron Sweet Design

Contact Julie for more information on these Vistage groups or to become a Vistage Group Chair or Speaker.