Accountability Groups? What?

   I was talking to a group of folks at a local chamber of commerce and one person asked, “I keep hearing about accountability groups, what are they?” It really is a great question. Many of us used them in college except we called them study groups. The objective of the group was to divvy up the work into manageable pieces so that each member of the group would be accountable for one part. Each member would do all the reading and research and then bring the results back to the group. There was an implied contract that each member would do their very best with their portion of the assignment or syllabus and the whole would be greater than the sum of its parts. 

   The purpose of an accountability group is that each member could achieve more than they would with a solo effort. If your are a business owner and part of your job includes sales as well as providing the service that is your business, what can you do to help yourself? One answer is to join a “Leads Group” where you bring leads to the group and others do the same, and by sharing qualified leads you all have more sales. Many sales people and business owners use this type of accountability group to achieve success.

   Years ago, when I was starting a small information technology business I banded together with two other entrepreneurs for support and accountability. In this situation we would provide our plans for the quarter, month and week ahead to the group. The others would comment and ask questions to help clarify the plan. Then each week we would report our status against the plan to the group and receive appropriate feedback and then act accordingly. So if I was having problems with sales I would state a sales goal and as a group come up with the steps to achieve the goal. We’d iron out the number of phone calls a day and face to face sales meeting per week. After some time the group would challenge me to raise the sales goal and increase the percentage of calls that resulted in sales. It is a great way to motivate yourself when you are a sole business owner.

 

   People who are in job transition and looking for a new job can use this model too. Putting together a group of 6 to 8 people from different industries or different roles within an industry provides a sense of camaraderie and support to its members. They can state their weekly goals and report the past week’s activity including successes and get  feedback. If a member has a blind spot in their job search, the group can provide constructive observations for the member. If a member has a struggle with their search the group offers a safe place to voice fears or challenges. 

  I have seen the use of accountability groups change lives. Whether you are looking for new sales or a new job, having a group to support, challenge, and provide advice to you will make a positive difference in you career... Now, go and be accountable.