Why two (or ten) heads are better than one for small, micro business owners.

A problem shared is a problem halved - isn't that they way it goes? But for business owners, particularly those with small or micro sized enterprises, isolation or isolated thinking can be a disaster. In a sector that may seem to advocate secrecy, avoiding over sharing or keeping 'competitors' at arms length, this poses a real threat to the health & development of millions of businesses & their leaders.

Let's start with some facts. There are 5.2 million small businesses in the UK which are micro sized - that is they have 0-9 employees. Fun fact, small business is actually defined as those with 10-49 employees. Of those 5.2 million, about 60% don't employ at all, so the vast majority of founders, owners or managers will be working alone or certainly carrying all the weight of responsibility.

What genuinely useful mechanisms are there for the leaders of these small micro businesses to find ways to share their challenges in a professional, safe and, of course, affordable way? Networking is invaluable as a business connection tool, but rarely provides the opportunity for a deep dive into the challenges facing businesses. Informal meet ups are great ways to relax and build relationships with fellow business owners and leaders, but may not always be the space to launch an in depth about business strategy for each participant. There is always the chance of 121 coaching or consultancy - a fantastic way to develop thinking and find the headspace to explore new options but perhaps isn't something that can be regularly afforded.

And that takes us to group coaching for small, micro sized business owners. Often overlooked and perhaps maligned as time consuming or perhaps even risky if you're not in a safe space, this tool has been invaluable to 100s of businesses I have worked with over the years.

Here are some of the best reasons to explore the idea of group coaching to leverage the power collective wisdom & deep thinking.

1. Breaking the isolation loop. We have all experienced the crushing fear or anxiety brought about when we're stuck, business is flat lining or we lose confidence in our skills or decision making. Being part of a coaching group or community that regularly meets for group coaching, is the perfect way to break out of a spiralling negativity or creeping one track thinking through connection & community.

2. Collective wisdom. Although a group coaching session might be led by an experienced and qualified coach, the power of collective wisdom is where the gold dust is. Everyone in a group will bring different or new perspectives, experiences or knowledge that can never fail to offer something new to the room. Check out all the big government business support programmes around at the moment and pretty much all will offer some kind of peer learning in this way.

3. Accountability with trust. If your only cheerleader is your Mum or the only witness to your goals is the dog, then it's easier to fail to progress. Group coaching offers the chance for gentle encouragement, a need to report back & supportive accountability to help keep business owners on track.

4. Affordable support. Group coaching is a great way to afford trusted, professionally organised and high quality business support when budgets are tiny. Creating accessible spaces (on or offline) provides exactly the kind of simple business tool any small business owner might need.

5. Energy & creativity thrives. Of course, most small micro business owners are just that because they have an entrepreneurial mindset - creative, energised and focussed. But perhaps not all the time! It's easy to feel jaded, lose focus and get stuck in the day to day without the invaluable input from outside. Group coaching offers a unique chance to step outside the business and benefit from the vibes of fellow owners.

6. A new way of doing business. Group coaching, especially for the smallest of businesses is the ideal way to foster a new way of thriving - through collaboration over competition. Without great collaborators, supporters and trusted outsourcing of skills and products, a small business can't survive. The more opportunities there are to gather and share, the more robust our community of 5.2 million micros will become.

If group coaching is something you'd like to try, in a trusted, safe, professional and affordable way, take a peek at Simply Club which includes a free monthly Thrive Session for all members to attend plus a special rate 121 coaching fee for Simply Club members from me, Emily and founder of our community.