SELF-EVALUATOR
These are the basic attributes helpful for your success as an Excell group leader:

General Business Knowledge

Networking

CEO Interface

Interest in personal growth

Group Leadership and facilitation

People skills

Marketing and Sales

Competitiveness

Risk Tolerance

Income

Self-Management

Self-Certification

GENERAL BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE

Our business is helping CEOs become multi-skilled. We accomplish this by producing an environment where they can learn from similar individuals, from resource people, and from personal coaching and assistance. Excell Chairs must be able to talk the talk and comfortably explore all areas of business from planning to personnel, marketing, finance, operations, information technology, and more. They must also be able to work with CEOs on leadership skills and personal life balance, the remaining two legs of Excell's three-legged development program. Our management and coaching tools help guide the interaction process. Knowledge does not have to be substantial in all areas, but does need to be broad.

We look for a combination of solid education credentials plus varied experience. Individuals who have previously owned or managed a small business make especially effective Excell Chairs. Senior executives tired of the corporate rat race are also ideal.

Consider the nature and length of your business training and experience.

Do you feel knowledgeable in several or most of the functional areas of management (finance, sales, HR, operations, etc.)?

Do you understand the elements of leadership and the importance of balancing personal life with business?

Have you ever started, owned or managed a small or medium-sized business?

NETWORKING

A business network serves as a base for assisting in the recruitment of group members, and for helping identify resource people who serve as presenters at monthly meetings. Area Manager and Chair candidates will find that a strong local network, or the ability to develop one quickly and easily, is a major advantage.

Do you have a well-established business network in the location where you intend to work?

Are you comfortable calling on your network for introductions to potential members and for future presenters?

Do you enjoy networking?

CEO INTERFACE

Excell group members are CEOs and owners of mid-sized businesses. Their backgrounds and styles vary greatly, and we have found most to be enjoyable individuals who become real friends. But individually, and as a group, they are accomplished and powerful, and can be challenging. Initially, some Excell Chairs may find themselves uncomfortable at this level. While a little nervousness is probably fine, Chairs need to quickly become comfortable dealing with CEOs, confidently and as equals.

Would you be comfortable with a one-to-one interface with a company president, providing input and counsel?

INTEREST IN PERSONAL GROWTH

We offer three career opportunities in Excell. All offer a considerable degree of independence, along with the ability to develop a stable, predictable income. They are:

Area Manager

Excell Group Chair

Marketing Associate

Area Managers are selected at the onset of launching groups in any given area, and are truly qualified professionals. This role involves the selection and development of individual Group Chairs and serving as the primary interface between them and Excell Corporate. Area Managers have an equity position in the areas they serve, and have considerable latitude in how they do it, choosing among our multiple tools and processes. Chairs and Marketing Associates work closely with the Area Manager, but can choose how much of their time they commit to Excell.

Are you interested in furthering your career in a manner where you are in control and at low risk of losing your job and income base?

Do you prefer a stable, less tumultuous income stream than that which characterizes consulting?

GROUP LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATION

This is what Excell leadership is all about: leading your CEO group in its regular meetings, facilitating their interchanges, and performing one-on-one confidential assistance. You need to be confident in this activity, and really enjoy it. This is what makes being a Chair a whole lot of fun!

What training and experience have you had leading and facilitating business-oriented groups?

Do you believe that you will be successful in this role and find it professionally satisfying?

PEOPLE SKILLS

This goes hand in hand with group leadership, facilitation and networking. Nonetheless, it needs to be repeated that this is a people business. People buy first because of the person, and if you are not a person who likes people, who in turn like you, this is not the business for you.

Do you have a genuine liking for people and find yourself at ease in both small and large group settings?

Do you think you are good at getting people to cooperate, participate, make commitments and follow through?

Are you a good listener?

MARKETING AND SALES

Not everyone enjoys marketing and sales; however, our training really makes this an enjoyable experience. With Excell, you can choose how much of these functions you perform. Area Managers need to market and sell to start the initial group or two in their area; after that, they may choose to rely on Marketing Associates and Chairs. Some Excell Chairs just facilitate a group, or two, relying primarily on a marketing expert to provide their members. Others lead groups and perform their own marketing and selling. Marketing Associates concentrate on these activities, and do not lead groups. Of course, individuals performing both functions experience higher income. We have a preference for professionals who can perform both functions, but will consider a variety of skill combinations.

Excell provides a variety of outstanding marketing tools, help in planning and using them, Excell-specific sales training, and, for those who need and seek it, intensive general sales training. Particularly important is that there are two, different dimensions of Excell's proprietary sales process which all but guarantee that anyone we approach will hear our message. And during the actual selling experience with a prospective member, the uncomfortable components of probing and qualification are not part of the Excell sales process. Excell's process is far more to the point and effective. The bigger question is your comfort level. Although selling may not be a Chair's strong suit, there will be occasions when members will refer other CEOs to join Excell, and the Chair may be called upon the act on that information. Chairs will also need to assist a Marketing Associate in closing on prospective members. One thing is certain: while leading a group, you are consistently selling Excell and reminding members about the wisdom of their Excell membership. Consider the extent of your training and experience in sales and marketing.

Would you be comfortable with one-to-one selling to executives?

Can you handle the rejection sometimes involved in sales?

COMPETITIVENESS

Along with independence, a "go-getter" attitude is key to Excell success. A degree of assertiveness, competitiveness and willingness to "jump in" are vital in leading a group and directing strong CEOs. You need to have a sense of urgency about all aspects of your Excell responsibilities. Look to your past involvement in sports or business to help you measure this aspect of your attributes.

Do you have a competitive, go-getter attitude?

Have you been involved in competitive sports?

Are you willing to challenge the decisions of a member if you believe they are incorrect?

RISK TOLERANCE

There is risk in beginning any new venture. The same is true with holding a job, which you can lose through factors beyond your control. Becoming an Excell Area Manager or Chair is no different -- with one exception: you will always know where you stand. Income may drop if members leave, but you, and the Marketing Associate if you choose to work with one, are in control of quickly replacing them. Our membership agreements provide for advance notice before leaving, giving Chairs opportunity to find suitable replacements for the overall benefit of the group and to preserve the income stream.

How comfortable are you with moderate risk?

Are you a stand-alone person who prefers being in control of your professional and personal life?

Can you weather the several months it takes to "boot up" a group?

INCOME

The best thing about earned income from Excell is that it is steady, much like an annuity and unlike income received from turnkey consulting assignments. It is also significant, particularly in relation to comparable work elsewhere. Income from the Excell program is determined primarily by the size of the group; there is no guaranteed level. While a group is being formed, and until the first member payments are received, there is a short period with no income, but usually no more than three or four months. As a ballpark estimate only, your income can exceed $100,00 a year for this kind of part-time work.

Consider your income requirements and your preferences for stable revenue.

SELF-MANAGEMENT

Excell is a great opportunity for running your own show, but with independence comes personal responsibility. While we do provide effective tools and regular consultation, Area Managers, Chairs, and Marketing Associates must be able to work independently. They need to plan their own programs, set goals and meet them, and manage their time effectively. There are simply some individuals who need to be supervised; we find they don't work well in Excell. However, do not let this mislead you - we do support all our professional associates. Twice annually, Chairs meetings are held at our headquarters to meet with peers and to share ideas on how best to manage groups and meet the needs of members. Our up front training is thorough, and our ongoing assistance is extensive and on call, whatever your needs.

Consider how you work alone, managing your time and meeting your professional commitments.

SELF-CERTIFICATION

Working with Excell requires little up-front investment. In rare instances, this may tempt some individuals to conclude that Chair positions might be a good temporary job "between jobs". In these situations, Excell would lose substantially in both opportunity and expense. So, it is vital that the correct commitment be made from the very beginning; Excell is not interested in working with temporary individuals. We will be honest with you and work hard with you to make an honest, fair decision about your new career choice. Then, we simply look to you as professionals who, by their word, self-certify their competence and long-term interest in the Excell program.

What next?

If you believe, from these questions and considerations, that Excell leadership is consistent with your goals, attitudes, and abilities, please do the following:

Write us at: ContactUs@ExcellCeo.Com. Include your resume and the location where you would be interested in working.

Send us your brief, written answers to the above questions. A copy of your current resume would also be preferred.

In turn, we will get back to you within five working days.

To further explore Excell and the opportunities we offer, you will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and to come to Portland to discuss and observe our program.