“I directly benefited from Vistage in four (4) key areas: i) Doug’s Leadership, ii) Vistage presentations, iii) Group feedback/contributions and iv) Vistage Connections.

Doug Ainsworth recruited me for membership in a Vistage Group at the same time I was looking for a way to grow my business and leadership style. I am trained as a classical organic chemist…which means I have had no business exposure other than running my company, Adesis. Doug built a group of entrepreneurs in running similar sized businesses. I was shocked at how similar our problems were despite the diversity of industries. Through Doug’s leadership, we formed ourselves into a very productive group helping one another with business challenges such as sales, HR, growth and confronting difficult choices like layoffs.

Vistage offers many different seminars/presentations in small audiences which allows for greater interaction. These seminars ran the gamut of topics form Sales to HR to personalities and corporate culture. Many times, I went into a presentation or Group meeting not knowing what I did not know. When I left the meeting, I was able to enact many aspects of the group meetings and seminars. During my time with Vistage, I built a sales team that increased revenue >30% year over year for 3 years and I improved corporate culture by holding monthly company meetings encouraging feedback from co-workers, adjusting work hours and improving productivity.

I most benefited from Vistage when my company was approached for acquisition. As a chemist, this was a business topic that I was ill-prepared to face – if not for Vistage. Doug introduced me to a team/network of Vistage lawyers, bankers and investors who helped guide me in a sound business and ethical manner. The Vistage Group, with Doug’s leadership, not only stressed the key business decisions but help me focus on personal life through all of the stress. I was held accountable for both business and home life. Unfortunately, I was only a member of Vistage for a little over a year. Once the company sold, I was forced to leave. But, without Vistage and Doug, I would not have been able to grow my company as efficiently and maximize the sale of Adesis.”