Craig Provost

Business owners often wonder how to get their house in order before a business sale or capital raise. In Brette Simon’s workshop she will speak directly to business owners on how to maximize the value of their businesses by having their house in order—in particular in preparation for a capital raise or exit transaction. Brette’s talk applies equally well to companies who aren’t ready to sell or aren’t interested in selling, as these are all best practices, they should follow to ensure their company is well-insulated from issues with shareholders, creditors, vendors, employees, etc.

The workshop touches on areas that entrepreneurs often overlook, but can be critical- be it tax, IP, labor and employment, immigration, employee benefits, contracts, corporate structure, etc.  In sharing “war stories” to keep it interesting, Brette shares what can go wrong when you don’t focus on the details.

Top Takeaways

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:
 

• Immediately implement practical strategies to maximize their business’ valuation, so they are ready when buyers/investors come out to "kick the tires" as part of their due diligence.
   
• Come into work every day looking at the business from the perspective of a buyer.  That is, to ask themselves, "how can they make it more sale-ready?"  Investors/buyers will be thrilled to find such a professionally-run, cleanly-structured business that they will pay a “full” price.
   
• Even without immediate plans to raise institutional capital or sell the company, this course will help executives/owners build a stronger company that is well-protected against various potential legal and business issues.

Materials

Due Diligence Request List

PPT Presentation

Bio

Brette advises her clients on capital raising, strategic alliances, and exit transactions in various industries, including media, health care, software, and branded consumer products (including food and beverage). Brette has been practicing in the field of corporate law since 1994, and was previously a corporate partner at Bryan Cave, Jones Day and Sheppard Mullin. She also practiced at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and O’Melveny & Myers. Brette ranked first in her graduating class and graduated Order of the Coif from UCLA School of Law, where she was editor of the UCLA Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree in quantitative economics from the University of California at San Diego, where she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in three years. She has spoken at numerous industry conferences as well as to several chapters of the Entrepreneurs Organization and Vistage. Brette has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, including recognition as one of the top 13 dealmakers in the U.S. for the middle market by "The Deal," and being selected as a winner of the inaugural "40 Under 40" award by The M&A Advisor.

Contact Information

Brette Simon

(213) 344-7976

brette.simon@outlook.com

The Sales Group Global is an inspired team of talented salespeople looking to help likeable business owners drive revenue for their organizations. Serving clients across all North America, they achieve success for their companies by maximizing their ROI through specialized services in:  

• Permanent Sales Placement 
• Part-Time Business Development Support 
• Fractional / Part-Time Sales Leadership  

The Sales Group has developed a strong network of sales and Business Development Representatives (BDR) professionals in the US and Canada. The company aims to align their tailored services with the overall goals and values of each individual client they work with.  

What to expect during the Zoom Presentation

Donna Gliha and Alyssa Huizenga will join members and their HR representatives to discuss how they use their database, outreach practices and principles to identify and target top talent for organizations looking to grow their internal teams. They will discuss the challenges in finding suitable talent and suggest some possible solutions to these roadblocks.   

The company's specialty is in sales recruitment and placements as well as outsourced sales support through part-time BDR services and fractional sales leadership. 

Contact Information

alyssa.huizenga@salesgroup-global.com

Most business owners say they're investing back into their business. However, I find many struggle to tell me exactly how they are doing that. If you don't know how much you're investing or how those investments are doing, you can't make intentional plans for the future. Goals should not be abstract milestones we hope to pray to reach one day. There has to be a plan, steps, and a timeline in place to ensure those goals are met. Hold yourself accountable with your investments and make informed decisions about next steps. 

Here is how the workshop will help you do that:

1. Roadmap—We will create a roadmap for your future growth by analyzing what investments you've made in your business in the last 12 months.
2. Investment—Which investments were a success, and how are you tracking those investments?
3. Future—What does that tell you about where you should be investing your profits in the next 12 months?
4. Funding—Understanding financing options and alternatives to fund growth.

Bio

Ami Kassar, founder and CEO of MultiFunding and author of The Growth Dilemma, has earned a national reputation as a thought leader in business finance. 

An in-demand speaker and trusted advisor to growth-focused business leaders, Ami has helped thousands of business owners achieve ambitious growth goals through creative and personalized funding solutions. His work has helped create tens of thousands of jobs.

For more than 20 years, Ami has challenged executivesto think differently about how they capitalize growth. Regularly featured in national media including The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes and Fox Business News, Ami also writes a weekly column for Inc. Magazine. He has advised the White House, the Federal Reserve Bank and the Treasury Department on credit markets. 

Ami regularly speaks at corporate, academic and industry events on topics including entrepreneurship and access to capital. Thought-provoking, highly interactive and based on real-time updates to funding options, his presentations address the cash-flow dilemmas entrepreneurs face on a daily basis.

Prior to founding MultiFunding, Ami spent a decade in various senior roles at Advanta Corporation, one of the nation’s largest issuers of credit cards to small business owners. He served as chief innovation officer and developed innovative approaches for this specific market. In that role, Ami founded ideablob, one of the nation’s leading online, small business communities. He also hosted nationwide Bloblive events where entrepreneurs shared and debated their ideas. Additionally, Ami developed Biz Equity, an initiative that helps small business owners develop future valuations.

Ami’s research reports have played critical roles in the national debate regarding SBA lending. He also developed Banking Grades, now powered by Entrepreneur Media—a free tool that helps discover which banks are currently offering small businesses loans.

Nationally recognized for his innovative approach to lending, Ami received the Small Business Influencer Award in 2013, 2014 and 2015, as well as the Small Business Advocate Award in 2012. He earned his MBA from the University of Southern California and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Brandeis University. Ami currently lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his wife, two children and his Corgi-Spaniel.

https://www.multifunding.com/

This highly rated workshop has been presented to more than 700 Vistage and YPO forums and has empowered leaders to navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. James Newton takes a practical approach to personal and organizational growth, engaging participants through Socratic dialogue and hands-on experiences.

Attendees will explore the path of growth, systemic thinking, stress management, change-readiness, accountability, and mindfulness. Newton challenges the notion that intelligence alone leads to high consciousness, demonstrating how leaders can move from a rigid, defensive mindset (“in the box”) to an open, high-functioning mindset (“out of the box”).

Key Takeaways

• Develop Leadership Composure – Learn how to remain calm and effective in times of uncertainty and change.
• Master Systemic Thinking – Understand how leadership decisions impact the broader system and create sustainable change.
• Strengthen Emotional Intelligence – Cultivate mindfulness and accountability to foster meaningful relationships and decision-making.
• Enhance Change-Readiness – Develop strategies to lead through transformation with resilience and adaptability.
• Move Beyond Reactive Thinking – Shift from justification and defensiveness to clarity, openness, and conscious leadership.

This workshop is ideal for CEOs, executives, and leadership teams looking to build self-awareness, strategic thinking, and emotional resilience to drive impactful change.

Bio

James founded Newton Learning Corporation in 1992 to provide an accelerated learning path for the development of personal and professional excellence. He is a nationally known consultant, facilitator and trainer with over 25 years of experience bringing a unique blend of insight and business acumen, to the developmental issues of accountability, change, visionary thinking and leadership. As a sought-after keynote speaker, he combines inspiration and insight with practical application, delivering a compelling, highly relevant message to his audiences.

Acknowledged by the CEO community as a highly influential and transformative executive coach and strategist, James has consulted with the CEOs, executive teams, key business leaders and boards of major Fortune 500 organizations such as Cardinal Health, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Lucent Technologies, Metropolitan Property and Casualty, Oracle and countless small to midsize corporations. He currently resides in San Diego where he is heavily engaged in the CEO think tanks of WPO, YPO and Vistage International.

Contact

james@newtonlearning.com

https://www.newtonlearning.com

There are three core elements to this session: 

• Defining what AI really is and why it is so important to our productivity and profitability. 
• Demonstrations of easy-to-use AI apps and associated quick wins for members and their businesses. 
• A framework to use for creating and implementing an AI strategy in any organization.

Program Description

This innovative masterclass aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and machine learning. It highlights the strategic role of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in driving innovation and operational efficiency while also emphasizing potential threats and ethical implications.

The program delves into:

1. Fundamental principles of ChatGPT and other Large Language Models.
2. Practical applications across various industries and functions.
3. Identification and mitigation of risks associated with AI implementation.
4. Ethical considerations in AI usage and governance.

Value to Members

Benefits to Executive Leadership:

1. Strategic Advantage: By understanding the capabilities and implications of AI and Large Language Models, leaders will be better equipped to identify new opportunities for strategic advantage, be it in enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, or driving innovation.
2. Risk Mitigation: The workshop will facilitate the understanding of potential threats and ethical dilemmas presented by AI, enabling leaders to foresee and mitigate risks in a timely manner.
3. Leadership in the AI era: By empowering leaders with knowledge about these state-of-the-art technologies, they will be able to lead teams more effectively in an increasingly AI-driven corporate landscape.
4. Future-proofing the Organisation: As AI continues to reshape the business world, this program will help leaders to stay ahead of the curve and ensure the organization is prepared for the future.

This workshop will not only help you to demystify the world of AI and Large Language Models, but it will also equip your leadership team with the insights needed to make informed decisions and steer the organization towards a future powered by artificial intelligence.

Everybody is talking about AI; many know they should be doing something with it, but they do not know where to start. This half day enables, empowers, and educates, allowing instant action and application within the members organization.

Attendees also get access to a growing library of videos, training materials, reference documents and other useful resources that they can immediately use.

Bio

Rob is the Founder and Executive Chairman of ramsac which he started in 1992 as a technology consultancy, 32 years later he has over 120 full time employed consultants delivering IT, AI, Security, and Strategic Services. 

He became the UK Ambassador for Cybersecurity in 2016 for the IoD a role which over the years has increasingly focused on AI both in terms of risks and opportunities. 

He is a Board Advisor, and an advocate for Peer Groups having been a member himself for 11 years. Finally, he is a professional speaker, he is the former President of The Professional Speaking Association in the South East and has himself won many awards speaking around the world. 

Rob May rob.may@ramsac.com or rob.may@thoughtprovoked.co.uk

Rob is an award-winning international business speaker (Vistage Rising Star 2018, Outperformer 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & The USA Club 50 Award in 2021).

He speaks as a current and very relevant expert, being founder and Executive Chairman of ramsac who deliver AI, Technology and Cybersecurity services/support (and have done so for 33 years).

Rob is the UK Ambassador for Cybersecurity for the Institute of Directors, and he is currently ranked No.5 in the Global rankings for CyberSecurity Thought Leaders/Influencers.

He is on the Advisory Board of The Cyber Resilience Centre for the South East, working with industry, academia, and law enforcement advising on the intersect between AI and cyber.

Onalytica rank him in their Top 10 Global Technology Keynote Speakers, and he regularly speaks around the world.

Future-proofing the Organization:  million views (on TEDx YouTube and TED.COM) and he is a published author selling his AI and cybersecurity books on Amazon in 8 countries.

Importantly, Rob makes complex yet vital subjects’ fun, entertaining, actionable, and very relevant.

Recent chair feedback on this session: 

I have never understood when chairs make "You MUST book this speaker" comments on ChairNet or in the surveys. I've always felt that the only honest thing one can say is that the speaker went down very well with my members, I cannot know how well he/she would go down with another group. However, in this my final speaker review, I'll make an exception. I believe that the majority of UK groups have had Rob's excellent "Human Firewall" cybersecurity session. So, you know how thoroughly Rob understands his subjects. I have huge respect for Rob's generosity. Not only does he deliver a comprehensive session covering AI Strategy, quick wins, demonstrations of several AI sites, what they offer and how members can share the information with their staff. As with the cybersecurity material, Rob shares with the members the link to the private/hidden part of his website, where members can access his slides, videos, and other resources. These resources are updated continually on both the cyber and AI pages. It is fair to say that Rob covers areas in which the goalposts are moving constantly and that require him to make much more effort to keep up to date with his subject than most speakers. Hence why I believe that this is an essential topic for our members to grow their knowledge and Rob makes that easier for them. Thank you for your commitment and excellence

It’s no longer about the hype. Generative AI has arrived and most businesses will be adopting these transformative tools in 2025. We’ll review today’s off-the-shelf GenAI solutions and discuss AI’s 4 super powers. We’ll wrap up the presentation with a behind-the-scenes look at a revolutionary enterprise Data Management tool and hopefully leave you with a better understanding of how these technologies will forever change the way you look at your business. 

Key Takeaways

• Introduction to Generative AI
• Review, off-the-shelf GenAI tools
• The 4 super powers of AI
• AI + Enterprise Data Management
• Sharpen Your Axe / The Checklist

Bio

Keith Coe is a frequent speaker on the transformative power of AI and the critical change management that’s become a make-or-break factor for businesses in a tech-driven world.

In his 25+ years as a business owner, partner and investor, Keith has seen the business and tech landscapes remapped again and again. Through it all, he’s stayed ahead of the curve by spotting the seismic shifts before they become mainstream and maximizing ROI on early investments in game-changing tech. 

In the 90s and 00s, when many organizations were still clinging to brochure marketing and manual sales training, Keith was developing B2C websites and B2B websites to skyrocket sales and 10X efficiency. When the needle moved once more with cloud computing, he helmed a first of a kind cloud-based machine learning product in the public sector and was recognized internationally as a revenue generator for SaaS founders and investors. And when mobile took the tech reins, he rolled up a home services business, set new precedents for how they delivered products and services, and in the process transformed how an entire industry does business.

Now that generative AI, data management enterprise software, and data as an asset are disrupting everything, Keith is uniquely positioned to help organizations ride the waves of change, combining his extensive business background and change management mindset with a deep understanding of AI’s radically transformative capabilities—both as they stand today and how they are set to evolve in the future.

His talks focus on how businesses can start leveraging AI immediately (from off-the-shelf optimization to enterprise transformation), how to prepare and adapt organizations through direct investment in tech, and the vital role leaders play in embracing change thoughtfully and fearlessly.

Keith has an MA in Change Management and is the founder of Coe., a strategic management consulting firm, and AI Data Management, a services firm that specializes in AI data management strategy, training, and enterprise solutions.

Contact

Keith Coe

mail@keithcoe.xyz

Additional AI + Data Management Speaking Topics

• GenAI Business Strategy
• GenAI Workflow Optimization
• Data as as Asset

How do you evaluate your employees—and is it actually working?
Whether your current system is a legacy form from years ago or a state-of-the-art digital platform, employee evaluations are a powerful reflection of your company’s culture, expectations, and commitment to growth.

In this 90-minute facilitated workshop, we bring together all members of our CEO group to share your employee evaluation systems and learn from one another. From simple scorecards to integrated performance platforms, we’ll explore how evaluations can better support retention, motivation, and accountability—without feeling like a chore.

This isn’t about theory. It’s about what’s working right now in real companies like yours—and what could work better.

Key Takeaways

• Real-world insight into how other CEOs and leadership teams conduct employee evaluations
• A side-by-side look at multiple evaluation forms, tools, and methods
• Fresh ideas for improving feedback loops and increasing employee engagement
• Inspiration to align performance reviews more closely with company values and goals
• A digital bundle of shared templates, sample questions, and evaluation formats
• Peer-reviewed ideas for integrating evaluations with career development and retention strategies
• Reflection prompts to identify what’s working—and what’s not—in your current system
•  simple action plan to test or implement improvements in the next 30–60 days
• Connection to a trusted network of leaders committed to thoughtful, high-impact people practices

In a world of accelerating change and mounting complexity, today’s leaders must do more than react — they must anticipate. This immersive, cross-industry workshop introduces leaders to the discipline of strategic foresight: a structured way of thinking about the future that reveals emerging opportunities and helps navigate uncertainty with intention.

Inspired by the work of renowned futurist Amy Webb, this workshop invites participants to shift from “What now?” to “What if?” — using tools like signal scanning, scenario building, and no-regret strategic responses. Through guided discussion, real-world examples, small-group collaboration, and peer coaching, leaders will explore plausible futures, challenge assumptions, and identify bold actions that align with their values and vision.

This session is especially relevant for business owners and executives in construction, engineering, branding, agriculture, seed breeding, restaurants, marketing, and manufacturing — but welcomes insights across all sectors.

Whether your business is scaling, pivoting, or stabilizing, strategic foresight gives you the lens and language to prepare for what’s next — not just for your company, but for your life, your team, and your community.

Top Takeaways

• Understand the 4-step Strategic Foresight framework (Signals, Drivers, Scenarios, Responses)
• Learn how to identify weak signals of change and interpret their potential impact
• Create plausible future scenarios specific to your industry or business model
• Identify "no-regret" moves that align with long-term strategy and authenticity
• Practice cross-industry insight sharing with diverse executive peers
• Gain a foresight habit you can integrate into monthly meetings and strategic planning

Amy Webb is one of the world’s leading futurists and the founder of the Future Today Institute (FTI), a premier foresight and strategy organization that advises Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nonprofits. She is a professor of strategic foresight at NYU Stern School of Business, the author of multiple bestsellers including The Signals Are Talking and The Genesis Machine, and a trusted voice at forums such as the World Economic Forum and SXSW.

FTI’s methodology is grounded in rigorous trend analysis, systems thinking, and ethical foresight — providing organizations with tools to make better decisions today while preparing for tomorrow.

The video used in this workshop is part of FTI’s mission to democratize foresight and make strategic future-thinking accessible to leaders across all industries.

Why do some enterprises experience immense success while others drone on in mediocrity year after year? The answer is some are able to make their businesses meaningful, make them come to life and make them fun again, for everyone involved. Thousands of CEOs and business owners share the same dream; to have a growing, profitable business that executes effectively and can run without them; providing them with more time for personal and professional interests. Sound familiar?

This dream can be a reality. There are tools available to help CEOs accomplish these goals. Those tools are the focus of this presentation. They are designed to create clarity, set direction, get things done and provide measurable results. 

CEO Tools was originally created by a CEO, for CEOs. Jim Canfield has led five companies and has coached hundreds of additional CEOs as a peer group Chair. Kraig Kramers was the CEO of eight companies and CEO Tools is based on the successful methods he and others employed to get extraordinary results from everyday organizations. 

The CEO Tools methodology is focused on three key result areas:

• Communication: These are the “Make It Clear” tools. They will help set the direction, create an effective cadence of communication and build trust.
• Execution: These are the “Make It Happen” tools. They will track progress and provide feedback and create the plans and actions required for results.
• Optimization: These are the “Make It Better” tools. They will help align and coach people, organize yourself and others and create a system to celebrate successes.

Bio

Jim Canfield has had a life-long passion for leadership. 

Jim started his first business, a trucking business, at the age of 27 with his brother who was 24. Starting from one truck the first day, three years later they had 150 trucks, 250 employees in 17 locations around the southeast. They ultimately sold that company to their largest customer.

Jim went on to be part of a founding group of a company in the investment industry. The company served financial institutions eventually developing a niche in the credit union sector. Jim and his partners ended up building the largest firm serving credit unions off Wall Street. They sold that company to First Union Bank.

Still in his 30’s, Jim became the youngest chair ever hired by Vistage. He went on to run peer groups in his hometown of Memphis TN for almost 10 years. He was asked to join the executive team of Vistage Worldwide in San Diego. Jim went on to be to be President and CEO of another peer group company, Renaissance Executive Forums, also based in the San Diego area. 

Jim authored the book, CEO Tools 2.0: How to Think, Lead and Manage like a CEO. Jim created a workshop for the book, and in six years delivered almost 500 presentations on CEO Tools. During this time, Jim was named Speaker of the Year three times for Vistage Worldwide.

Jim is now a part of Class VI Partners with the Class VI Pathfinder program. The Pathfinder program prepares companies to maximize their value during a transition.