Peer Advisory Groups

go from good to great

What are your biggest challenges as a business owner? Slow sales, poor communication, unclear strategy, stress, not enough time for your family? We've been there. 

Too often, CEOs and presidents of small-to-midsize businesses labor in isolation, trapped in bad habits and constrained by limited vision. But when experienced business owners put their minds together, amazing things can happen. Peer Advisory Groups offer a braintrust of wisdom and problem-solving insight spanning decades of business leadership experience.

Under the guidance of facilitator Jay Duquette, Peer Advisory Group members openly discuss their business and management challenges in a trusting and confidential environment. Each member is both teacher and student, learning from and serving one another. Every month, group members meet at a different business location to see how other members are managing their employees, finances and leadership responsibilities.

If you are ready to become a true leader of your company, are willing to ask for help, and are willing to do what it takes to become better, then we invite you to Contact Jay to learn more about joining a Peer Advisory Group. 

 

 

 
 

Personal Business Coaching

because business is personal.

You pour all of your energy into your business. Not only do you want a rewarding career, but a fulfilling and meaningful life. In addition to Peer Advisory Groups, Jay offers one-on-one coaching for experienced business owners looking for professional and personal direction.

Using trusted assessment tools and old-fashioned conversation, Jay helps business owners like you create a personal vision and identify your biggest challenges and potential blind spots. Learn where your strengths are and how to focus more of your daily energy on the things that matter most to you and your business.

Personal coaching can be a transformative and life-affirming experience, and Jay is proud to call his coaching clients his friends. Read their testimonials or Contact Jay to learn more about his coaching services. 

The Process

Jay developed the Value Impact Program (VIP) over decades of working closely with business owners in every stage of growth and development. The VIP process demands honest reflection and openness to change, but can bring about transformational growth, both personally and professionally. 

The Challenges 

These are the challenges that keep business owners up at night. Do they sound familiar?

  • Inadequate sales or cash flow
  • Unclear strategic direction
  • Lack of time/resources
  • Increasing competition
  • Family business issues
  • Uncooperative partner
  • Work/life balance
  • Employee performance and morale
  • Succession planning
  • Exit strategies

Personal Value Statement

Your business should be a reflection of your personal values. When you believe in your work, you work better. A values-driven company has clear motivation, greater cohesion, and ultimately more success. 

‘Seven-Staging’ Your Business

Every company is in one of seven stages of development, from Startup to Succession. Through the VIP process, you will identify where you are now, and more importantly, where you want to go. 

Strategic Areas

Within every stage of business development, business owners must continuously adapt new strategies across four key areas:

  1. Cash & Profit Plan - Profit first, or there is no business. 
  2. People & Systems - People help you build systems. 
  3. Strategic Plan - Strategy must evolve with changing conditions. 
  4. Execution Plan - An actionable plan — who/what/when — with real accountability

Testimonials

"The most difficult thing about being a business owner is staying focused. I tend to have multiple ideas that I wish to pursue. Jay has enabled me to become laser-focused, saving me an incredible amount of time and money. He is a great 'sounding board' and someone I trust very much." - Dan Hudock, Sandler Training

"With Jay's counsel, we have turned from the past two years of decline into a 4% growth in the past eight months. We are growing at two-and-a-half times the industry. The Peer Advisory Group meetings are affirming and accountable. I have met business owners genuinely interested in helping me grow. They have held me accountable for my words and decisions. I am looking forward to many years of profitable growth in my association with Jay."  - Rich Garland, President, Garland Agency

"I appreciated Jay's open-door policy to be available by phone at any time outside of our weekly sessions. He always listened to me talk about any and all issues that I was experiencing as a new associate. Jay would always respond first with encouragement followed by thoughtful and clear advice/suggestions, including specific examples. Jay's advice was always helpful. He understood which areas I was experiencing the most difficulty - either in understanding or implementing, and he always took the time to review them again with me. I felt Jay was an exceptional mentor as well as an experienced and successful associate."  - Maureen Frumen, Frumen Business Solutions

"Jay Duquette and I have been working together for a little over 3 years now. The Peer Advisory Group has closed several gaps in my life personally and on a business level. Jay has been able to bring me out of my 'behind the scenes' working approach and helped me to understand the importance of networking and communicating to clients and new business prospects using innovative approaches. By using the vast resources of the Peer Advisory Group, I have made several new contacts resulting in new work and reductions of company expenditures." - Lou Tumminello, CXL Warehouse Inc

"The mentoring and coaching I received from Jay Duquette was extremely helpful to me. Jay never failed to identify issues to think about and improve upon as I went forward in my business. At the same time, Jay was always quick to point out what I did correctly, to instill confidence and ensure I continued what I was doing well. In addition, Jay made me feel as though the time we spent discussing my business and my experiences were important. Jay always exceeded the amount of time he was scheduled with me, and never complained. He also always made it a point to tell me to call him any time. I am fortunate to have Jay as a mentor." - Barney M. Weber, President, Weber Business Solutions LLC

About Jay

P: 412.848.2052

E: jay@duquetteiib.com

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Jay Duquette is a Pittsburgh-based coach and mentor with more than three decades of business experience. Jay owned, operated and sold a profitable Mayflower agency after 26 years in the industry. For the past 15 years, Jay has focused on helping and inspiring other business owners through Peer Advisory Groups and one-on-one Personal Business Coaching. With lifelong connections in the Pittsburgh area — plus his own global network of mentors and teachers — Jay provides strategic guidance and supportive resources for local business owners.

  • CAA-Certified Analyst in Axiology

  • CBC-Certified Behavioral Coach

  • CPC-Certified Priorities Coach

  • CMT-Accredited Master Mentor

  • IIB-Accredited Associate

  • SBL-Certified Coach

  • TAB-Certified Facilitator