chair quick start roadmap
A Vistage group is typically built by networking and contacts generated by the Chair through one or more marketing events. These informational sessions allow candidates to see a brief presentation on Vistage, hear from Chairs and existing members, and experience a short demonstration of the Vistage process. Attendees come from a combination of the Chair’s own network of contacts and Vistage’s candidate database.
A fully invested, proactive Chair working closely with Vistage headquarters is generally expected to follow the timeline below for starting a group:
| Month 1 | Month 2 | Month 3 | Month 4 |
Status | Attracting members | Marketing | Marketing | Start group |
Training | Studio VI | In-market mentor |
|
|
Events |
|
| New Group Build 1 | New Group Build 2 (upon approval) |
Chair Activity | Marketing | Marketing | Marketing | Start group |
Immediately following the event, the Chair needs to devote at least two weeks of full-time activity to selecting his/her new members from interested prospects. This is accomplished in hour-and-a-half “selection interviews” at the potential member’s place of business. This time commitment is essential, as many candidates that are not seen soon after the recruiting event inevitably lose interest.
Operating Your Groups
The time commitment required to be a Vistage Chair can vary depending on factors such as number of groups, group size and stage of group growth. For example, a Chair might spend more time at the outset, building a group that he or she will need to spend less time maintaining once it is in place.
Chairs may require more or less time for each activity, depending on their market, the specific needs of their groups and other variable factors such as driving time, involvement in optional programs, and meetings with other Chairs.
The model is built with the expectation that a Chair can successfully operate one Vistage Chief Executive Program™ group or one Small Business group and still have time remaining for other activities.
New Group: Once the first group includes eight to ten members, it officially starts and facilitation begins. The time spent working as a Chair may break down as follows per month:
- Eight two-hour one-to-ones: 2.5 days
- Monthly group meeting: 1 day
- Administration/preparation: ½ day
- Marketing activity toward goal of 16 consistent members: 2–4 days†
- Total: 5-8 days per month, depending on the type and size of the group
†This could represent interviewing 10 to 15 candidates and spending 15 to 20 hours on the phone.
Established Group: After a new Chair has his/her group filled, the time commitment to operate the group may break down as follows:
- Sixteen two-hour one-to-ones: 4 days
- Monthly group meeting: 1 day
- Administration/preparation: ½ day
- Marketing activity: 1–3 days†
- Total: 6.5-8.5 days per month
†Since groups naturally experience turnover, the group-fill activity is an ongoing process, and Chairs should expect to devote one to two days a month to that activity on a regular basis. Building the expectation within your group that members refer potential members to Vistage can help reduce the time spent marketing.
Two Groups: Vistage encourages all Chairs to facilitate two or more groups. However, it is a requirement for one of the groups to be either a Chief Executive Program group or a Vistage Small Business Program™ group. The additional groups may be a Chief Executive Program group, a Small Business Program group or a Key Executive Program group. Exceptions are few and are only made at the discretion of the regional president.
Key Executive Program (Key): The Key Executive Program requires one day per month to conduct the actual meeting. Preparation time will vary accordingly for each Chair depending on the stage of development of the group. Key Executive Program members do not have one-to-one meetings with the Chair.
A Vistage Chair’s Month at a Glance
The following chart provides an example of the typical time spent running two established Chief Executive Program groups and one Key Executive Program group.
Groups | Monthly meeting | One-to-Ones | Marketing | Admin | Monthly Total |
Chief Executive | 1 day | 24 hours/3 days | 1-3 days | ½ day | 5½–8½ days |
Chief Executive | 1 day | 32 hours/4 days | 1-3 days | ½ day | 6½–8½ days |
Key Program | 1 day | N/A | 1-3 days | ½ day | 2½–4½ days |
Grand Total: 14½–21½ days | |||||
Group start bonuses:
As an added incentive, Vistage offers generous bonuses to Chairs when they start their groups. Speak to your Vistage Chair Selection Advisor for details.
Apply here to become a Vistage Chair, or nominate a potential candidate.