VISTAGE: A leading, global CEO Membership Organization
- 24,500 Members
- 15,000 Meetings per year
- 2,000 Cities
- 801 Member Industries
- 2 CEO groups in Los Angeles chaired by Brian Oken
I’m the Chair of two Vistage CEO groups in the Los Angeles area.
Vistage is the world’s leading Business Owner and CEO peer group organization with over 24,000 members in 20 countries. Successful business owners and CEOs join Vistage because they want to make great decisions and value continuous learning. They want to know how other successful business leaders are dealing with similar issues, to have a place where they can test ideas and overcome obstacles. They want to make the most of opportunities, improve their decisions and develop better leadership skills.
I was a member of Vistage myself for 17 years prior to becoming a Los Angeles Vistage Chair. Vistage helped me as a CEO and President grow the businesses I was responsible for in sales, profits and cash. Moreover, Vistage helped me grow both personally and professionally.
2008 Recession: A 2020 analysis showed that companies who joined Vistage demonstrated 5.8% growth from 2005-2009 while non Vistage companies declined 9.2% over the same period. (Source: Dun & Bradstreet).
It’s 2021, and today, we’re in a significant and chaotic business cycle. Vistage members are helping each other work through difficult decisions and challenge their thinking about how to profitably grow their businesses regardless of the competitive and economic landscape.
Case in point: The Great Recession of 2008. So many companies folded or just barely hung on. Survival was the focus, not growth. Yet, Vistage members grew at a rate of 5.8% on average while their competition suffered declines of 9.2%. Consider the successes you could enjoy having a similar sounding board.
There’s a simple reason why more than 24,000 executive leaders worldwide are active in Vistage. Members achieve lasting results because Vistage works.
Of course, Vistage isn’t a fit for everyone, and if it’s not for you, that’s OK. We have a number of different options we can suggest. But if you’re looking for a way to get valuable perspectives on your business, learn from experts and make better decisions, Vistage is a great solution for you.
How Vistage Helps You Get Better Results:
An example: A member of mine, an owner of a medium sized business, came to a group meeting very frustrated. He had a list of 15 must-dos and couldn’t come to a decision on the priority of each item. Together with group members, we spent an afternoon working with him on various outcomes and came to an agreement on a recommended course of action. As a result of this group experience and clarifying his priorities, his business grew by over 24%.
Another member was promoted to CEO after working many years in the organization. Nobody challenged him about why he wanted to lead the company. The conversation always centered around how to lead. His Vistage group got him to take a step back and reassess what his real goals were and live to why leaders are successful and focus less time working the daily details of the business. With this change in approach, his business has tripled.
Member Testimonial:
“When I joined Vistage, our business was just coming into its own. Since then, I’ve learned how to better run meetings, ask better questions, and we implemented new processes that have resulted in our business growing 55% in the past 4 years. Being in Vistage is like taking a PhD for business owners and has helped elevate the game of business to the next level.”
Nils H. Rasmussen, CEO | Solver USA
Vistage Master Chair Recommendation:
“Brian has been an outstanding member of Vistage. His contributions to his fellow CEO members have been enormous. His valuable business insights into strategic planning, sales, marketing, operations and finance have enabled us all to learn from his expertise. Brian has consistently been willing to give of himself in terms of time and knowledge for the benefit of others. He is truly an accomplished CEO who has demonstrated intelligence and excellent judgement throughout his business career.”
Steve Elson, Vistage Master Chair
“Brian has a rich history of over 20 years as a CEO and advisor to CEOs helping grow numerous organizations.”
On top of that experience, he was a 17-year member of Vistage. That CEO and Vistage member experience has groomed him well for launching, growing and running Vistage groups. Brian is very empathetic, carefrontational, assertive and a great listener, which make him a superb facilitator, coach and Chair!”
Jason Bateman, Vistage Regional Executive
Interested in learning more about Vistage and how it can help you become a more effective leader?
Book a time on my calendar that works for you.
There’s no obligation. But it could be one of the best decisions you ever make for you and your business.