I was listening to U2 this morning and it occurred to me that Bono would not be Bono without the rest of the band.

Sure, he is the front man, the focus of attention, but without the rest of the band, he is just a singer.

What makes U2 great is the collaboration of all the members of the band working together in harmony.

This is great example of teamwork. They have a plan, they support each other, they work together to create the results that we have come to admire and enjoy today.

No one person does it on their own without help. Every major personality, regardless of the business they are in has help from a team to get them to the top.

Examples such as Bono, he has a band behind him. Tiger Woods has a coach, a caddy, a manager, even a publicist.

Every politician has a manager and a staff. Every CEO has a group of VPs and managers to help achieve the goals the CEO and the company have set.

Every entrepreneur needs a team as well. Nobody does it alone.

Everyone Needs a Supporting Cast!

So this brings up the question:    Do you have a team?   Who is on your team?

Many people in business today lack the support they need to really get things done quickly and efficiently.

Now many might say “I don’t have the budget for a team”. If you are just starting your business this is most likely true. However, there are many ways to build a team.

There are resources available to the new business as well as one already established that you may have not yet considered.

• The SBA is a tremendous source for information when getting started or needing resources including financing.
• Your local SCORE chapter is another wonderful way to get help from mentors and local business professionals eager to help the new business person.
• The Rotary Club in your community is another fabulous place to meet professionals in your area, often providing the contacts you need to further your endeavors.
• Toastmasters can be a great place to meet others learning the skills you might need to excel for public speaking and presentations.
• Bartering can be a beneficial tool for both parties when looking for professionals needed to perform valuable tasks. Consider trading your skills in exchange for theirs.
• One of the most valuable, and yet most overlooked, ways to gain support for your project or business is to join a mastermind group. Mastermind groups provide ongoing support and the team you can turn to for anything that might come up as you move forward with your business.

Being part of a mastermind group gives you the advantage that most do not take time to develop. Having access to a small group dedicated to helping you achieve your goals outside of your management team can be an infinitely better source than any other group you can be a part of by far.

Surround yourself with the highest quality people you can find.

Whether part of your paid staff and management team or part of your network of business friends and contacts, always seek out the best people you can find. This habit will serve you well as you move forward and ensure the best results for you and your business.

Select your team members wisely and if you have a member not producing the results you require then move on to someone else sooner rather than later.

In today’s environment you cannot be complacent or stick with a poor performer because that person is a “friend”. You can always socialize with such a person, but there is no room on the team for poor results.

So create a team of high quality performers interested in the success of the project at hand.

A few people working together can achieve what one individual can only dream of.

It takes work to form a team and keep it working together, ask any NFL head coach, but when the team works well together you can win your own Super Bowl!

It has been a pet peeve of mine for some time that so many misuse the term mastermind. Whether this is from their ignorance or just flat out “Hype” to get your attention it is still wrong!

So I want to set the record straight for those of you who care about accuracy and truth…..

A Mastermind Group is as an intimate group of people brought together by the desire to help one another achieve their goals and aspirations!

That’s It! Nothing more and nothing less. A small group of 4-7 people, ideally 6, with the intention of creating something greater than the individuals combined.

The collective mind has a power all it’s own and will not work at it’s best in large groups. You can have some progress, sure, but an intimate group helping each other with issues brought forward to the group by the members has a power you cannot understand until you have experienced it first hand.

I recommend this process highly to anyone wishing to take their business to the “next level”. The mastermind group collective IS the next level!

Now there are many ways to get involved in a mastermind group. Several opportunities are within your reach I am sure. However, it is a benefit to have a facilitator with experience in mastermind groups and running meetings in an effective and efficient manner on your side. Having a structure to follow, rules for conduct and a set schedule already in place takes the burden off you and the other members so that everyone can focus on the objectives of the group.

It can be helpful at times to have a theme for your group such as Real Estate Investment or Non- Profit Organizations or Social Media Marketing. Some work better in groups that are made up of members from different industries. This can be a powerful model, connecting those who might not otherwise find each other and share ideas. Either model can work effectively, there is no “right or wrong”, no “best way”, the key is to have experienced professionals help you get connected with the people you seek to work with.

One such group is Mastermind to Prosperity. Mastermind to Prosperity is a network of professional facilitators dedicated to helping you form a group of desirable members, establish meeting protocols, schedule events and run meetings in a virtual meeting room. This takes the burden off the participants so that they may focus on their goals as well as save time and effort getting things coordinated.

If you are interested in learning more about mastermind groups and how they work or if you would like to get involved with Mastermind to Prosperity please feel free to contact me at david@Learn2ProsperNow.com or call me at (623)975-3426. I will be happy to help you in any way I can.

LEARNING EVERYDAY!