The Next Chapter testimonial for friendship and support in business

One member's view ... James Benn I could go on. But far better you experience all this for yourself. Go on; take a leap of faith. At the very least you will find it interesting and useful. But I’ll put money on you getting hooked too! (James Benn) Not just that though. In a funny way, I am also hooked because the cycle of TNC meetings provides a background timetable for action. When your life is no longer governed by your business’ reporting year, or your children’s academic years, then time becomes strangely elastic. There is no question that knowing other members of the group are going to ask how I’m progressing with such-and-such keeps me moving things along. Why? Because of the fascinating subjects discussed… because of what I learn from other people’s amazingly varied contributions to those discussions (‘left of field’ can take on a whole new meaning at TNC, and a whole new value!)… because of what I am able to contribute, and because my contributions seem to be genuinely appreciated… because of the help and advice I have had from others… because the discussions and advice are totally non-judgemental… because, as a group, we can bring in, hear from and question third parties (pension advisors, for example) in a far better way than could ever be done by me as an individual… because, at its most basic, I can compare notes with a group of peers on anything from travel plans to the pros and cons of retirement homes for aged parents, from health insurance costs to drug advice for undergraduate children… because, at the other end of the scale, I have found myself challenged to confront some of life’s bigger issues… because everyone talks freely, in a way that wouldn’t be possible if we all met at the same golf club, or pub, or church, or if our partners all met each other regularly. I’ve now been to four meetings, and am completely hooked. Truthfully, I joined as a leap of faith, without too much research. I had made no enquiries as to what happened at TNC meetings, nor about the other members. I just took Graham’s word that I’d find it both interesting and useful. Amazingly, the existing group members took Graham on trust too, and accepted me as the first TNC member not to have been a TEC member first. I had a ball for the first 18 months after I sold my business… but at 57, and somewhat poorer again, decided I should get serious. So I started working as a non-exec, directing my energies into three small businesses. Graham approached me about TNC some months later; at about the time that I was beginning to feel that there must be more satisfactory ways of using my time and talents.