The Impact that Transforms Small Business Owners into Stellar Performers

Overview of the Meteor Programme

Whatever the reason for being in business for themselves, entrepreneurs and small business owners set out with goals, ambitions, and every intention of being successful. Yet globally, 44% of small businesses fail in the first two years, and within five years, 80% have failed.

In South Africa the statistics are even worse. Only 20% of entrepreneurial businesses who have received start-up and development assistance from government, NGOs and other support programmes (mostly financial, marketing and skills-based training), remain in business for more than 2 years. According to Stats SA, the total number of business liquidations in South Africa in the first 7 months of 2009 increased by 35.8% to 2,379 – most of these small businesses.

Although there is a wealth of skills-based and networking resources available to entrepreneurs and small business owners locally, these do not address the equally critical areas of the mind and attitude.

Successful entrepreneurs have a clear vision of where they are headed, are flexible, and able to maximise their own talents as well as those of the people working for and assisting them. They take responsibility for their actions and results, are objective and achieve balance.

However being a small business owner can mean a lonely and stressful existence:

• Who can you call on for an objective viewpoint, or a safe and confidential outlet for reviewing options?
• How do you take your existing skills, and those newly acquired through training, and turn them into those of chief marketer, accountant, human resources expert and customer services consultant all combined into one?
• Who makes sure you stay focused and on track?
• Who keeps you accountable for the action steps required to reach the goals described in your business plans?

An effective combination of the right skills, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours, and effective support systems gives entrepreneurs the best chance of business success.

The MetaCo Meteor Programme is a series of 5 x one-day workshop modules at monthly intervals, enabling participants to clarify what is of real value and importance to them, and what they want from their businesses and their lives. The Meteor Programme facilitates rapid transition in overcoming the negative factors that hold you back, consuming vital time, energy and focus. Assignments, to be completed in between workshop modules, ensure that progress is evidence-based, contextual and measurable.

The Programme concludes with 1 x 2 day workshop module focused on sustainability of the participant’s own learnings, achievements and future progress, as well as a structure for empowering others by example and learning.

Objectives of the Meteor Programme

The Meteor Programme is the only one of its kind in South Africa. Developed by internationally qualified and experienced Meta-Coaches who are themselves successful entrepreneurs, the Meteor Programme delivers the “missing link” of effective mental and attitudinal skills, which so often make the difference between success and failure.

The Meteor Programme uniquely combines the processes of Meta-Coaching with the identification and implementation of the tactical skills required of a successful business owner. The result is an intensely powerful process which engages the participant fully, identifies the meanings and values that he/she associates with aspects of entrepreneurship and the business itself, and works within the context of these to develop plans for success which are exciting, measureable and fully achievable. New, enabling habits are formed. Full accountability and support is built in through the buddy and group practices, which also bring sustainability and expansion to the learnings and developments experienced through the Programme.

Participating entrepreneurs who complete the full Meteor Programme are better equipped to drive their own performance and that of their businesses. They have clarity around goals and objectives, and have clearly defined, accountable plans for reaching these. They are able to build their success within the context of their own personal strengths, and are not deflected by setbacks. They have congruence between their work and personal lives. They are able to adjust to changing circumstances as they arise. Importantly, they have a strong support network of similarly minded individuals.

Crucially, the Meteor Programme provides a platform for expansion and continuous growth. It translates further into a structure of peer and next generation mentorship and facilitation, thereby ensuring sustainability of enablement and success.

The Meteor Programme will deliver outstanding business and personal results to entrepreneurs who fully engage in, and commit to the full six month Programme.

BWA Meteor Programme Schedule