The Mastermind Alliance

“The mastermind principle” consists of an alliance of two or more minds working in perfect harmony for the attainment of a common definite objective. Success does not come without the cooperation of others.
Napoleon Hill.

In my experience the best people to learn from are others who have experienced the same problem and have found solutions, or are working through to find their way to the other side of those problems.

I learnt from setting up the Entrepreneurs Organization in Beijing, that the best peer learning is done in a safe, supportive and structured session which is held at regular times.

The masterminds which I run now are run on the same gestalt protocol as the enduring EO forums. We don't give advice, we share experiences. This is of fundamental importance. The mastermind is not a session to be told what to do, but rather to share issues that are being faced and hearing from others how they have solved similar situations in their own business.

This means we don't have "I told you so" moments, and also no one is positioned as the authority; it's an equitable exchange of respected thoughts.

The group size is limited to a maximum of eight, and importantly everyone is at a similar stage with their business. We meet monthly for 60 minutes; which means everyone is prepared and I am grateful of the new zoom timer app.

I am here to prepare and facilitate each session.

Presentations are prepared by having a coaching session with me in advance, and often this is where some great work is done with feeds back straight to the business. The improvements that I have seen over a short amount of time are incredible and a joy to see.

Read below what other mastermind members have to say. If you like that, then use the link below to set up a time to talk with me about booking a slot in a mastermind.

""Camaraderie and support."

After our very first meeting when Jim took us through the rules of Gestalt and the possible framework for our meetings, I realized this was something I aspired to becoming an active member of. Jim’s leadership and years of experience have brought me to a new level of looking at and dealing with issues that come up in business. This has set the tone for camaraderie and support amongst members in which each of us share a problem or issue with the group. The way the meetings are structured ensures that all members participate in suggestions, support and self examination. I have also really benefited from the process of defining my own business issue to share with the group , being coached and learning how to coach in turn. Invaluable and by its very structure, the group maintains its vibrancy

Jo Wivell. Founder. Insider's Travel.

"Anyone who works with Jim will see results."

I interacted extensively with Jim during my time in EO - both as a forum member and as part of the local EO leadership team. Jim is incredibly thoughtful and structured in his approach to life and business. As a serial entrepreneur, he has a broad and deep experience in areas such as marketing, PR, operations, finance, leadership, management, etc.

Anyone who works with Jim will see results - he's excellent at 'holding up the mirror' and helping people help themselves.

Casper B. Johansen, Co-Founder of Spartan Group, Singapore

"The opportunity to discuss issues."

I enjoy being part of Jim’s Entrepreneurs’ Forum, because it gives me the opportunity to discuss issues that are affecting my business. Being part of the group has encouraged me to leave my comfort zone and try new things to benefit my business: this includes putting a new CRM system in place and working to really understand who my customers are. The other members of the group are supportive and positive even where discussing setbacks. Everyone in the group makes a conscious effort to really listen to each other. The discussions and reflections during the meetings enable us to take time to think about what will work for our businesses. Thank you!

Tina Tailor, Director, Boards4Agents.

"Jim proved himself to be a valuable asset."

Jim worked closely with me at Eggplant Digital when we first got started and at a stage when I had little experience of running a business. He invested in our business. In our weekly mentoring sessions we worked on company strategy, issues holding us back, successful business management and many other topics.

Jim proved himself to be a valuable asset for over twelve years. I recommend his services to any entrepreneur out there, whether they're starting out or an experienced business owner looking for fresh ideas.

Thank you Jim for all the wonderful work!

Alex Dodkin, Founder, Eggplant Digital. Beijing, China, Bath, UK.

"IQ and EQ that is world-class."

Jimmy Jay Jay is an excellent facilitator who brings not only a breadth of skills, experience and networking to the task but also a depth of IQ and EQ that is world-class.

I have worked with Jim many times on multiple trainings, events and would certainly work with him again and can recommend him strongly and without reservation to anyone seeking to work with him.

Seasoned Entrepreneur, Advisor, Exec, Investor, Professor, & Keynote Speaker based in Bali.

"Invaluable to get different perspectives."

The entrepreneur's forum has been brilliant for me and my business. We’re a diverse group of business owners and it’s invaluable to get different perspectives from a really supportive group, with such wide-ranging experiences. I’d highly recommend the forum to any business owner.😊

Helen Pollock, Director, The Content Doc.

"Jim led by example and showed others what was possible."

Jim is one of the most reliable - and relatable - mentors I've met. Jim is a talented and experienced facilitator, and in his hands, the gestalt method is an excellent way for entrepreneurs to share and learn together.

Jim has had an outsized influence on Beijing's entrepreneur community, where he led by example and showed others what was possible.

Campbell Thompson, Founder & CEO The Wine Republic, China.

"Jim knows how to guide people to drill into their issues."

I spent many years in EO Forum with Jim. He always shared his insights with the group, which made the forum experience even more invaluable.

Members preferred to get coaching from Jim for their presentations because Jim knows how to guide people to drill into their issues and find their own solutions. I learned much from Jim in Forum that I applied to growing my business and working more effectively with my business partner.

Andrew Warner, Touchdown International, Managing Member. Beijing, Ohio USA.

"He effortlessly seems to be there for everyone."

Jim James is a man with great ideas, but what makes him stand out from the pack is he executes with drive focus and energy, to put it bluntly, the man gets shit done. Jim’s work and vision founding the Entrepreneurs organisation in China and the British Business awards changed the business community in Beijing forever and personally my life.

Jim is someone you go to when you want something to happen and he’s a man who I can personally say can be truly trusted. I envy the way he strikes a great balance between work, family and friends. He effortlessly seems to be there for everyone. Solid bloke.

Dominic Johnson-Hill CEO Founder Plastered 8. Beijing, Hong Kong.

"People drop their guard and speak their truth."

Jim James is a natural facilitator. His ability to relate to anyone combined with his genuine enthusiasm to hear others view points results in a facilitation environment where people drop their guard and speak their truth. Add to this is his decades of expertise in this field and you have a master of his craft.

Jade Gray 雷佳德. Founder at Off-Piste Provisions

"Practical advice that works."

The support I have received from this diverse but focused group of entrepreneurs has been exceptional. The strength of the forum is in the way each participant is able to bring their own business experiences to the table, and share what has worked for them when addressing a particular problem. Practical advice that works.

Chris Young, Managing Director. Chris Young Opticians.

"The mentoring aspect is brilliant."

I’ve realised no matter what line of business you are in there’s always more in common than you think. It’s a great group for being encouraged, and the topics covered always provide great take-always. The mentoring aspect is brilliant and I always look forward to each meeting.

Steve Johnson MBCS CITP CMA (Epicor Consultant), Juniper Tree Computing Ltd.

"Really enjoying the Gestalt feedback."

I'm still a fairly new member of the group, but the two sessions I've attended have been amazing. Really enjoying the Gestalt feedback time after the main speaker, it's a challenge at first not to give direct comments on the speakers business but can certainly see the value in the method (which is giving examples of how we have solved the issue in our own lives).

I would imagine it's one of the reasons why the group is so successful.

Benjamin Ross. Entrepreneur.

"What a valuable hour it is."

The Entrepreneurs' forum has been a fantastic opportunity. The learnings that we all share from our different viewpoints and experience have been profound and very helpful. Added to this is the focus and clarity that we gain from preparing our own presentations, with the coaching help that we give each other. It's only one hour a month, but what a valuable hour it is

Sebastian Aronowitz , Founder, The London Kitchen Company.

"Supportive insightful and knowledgeable."

A supportive, insightful and knowledgeable group of entrepreneurs that genuinely want everyone to be their most successful. I’ve found it hugely valuable over my time as part of it.

Gary Blackwood, Principal. Chiropractic Practice.

"A monthly boost of energy and motivation."

I have been part of The Entrepreneurs Form lead by Jim James. It’s is a great exclusive peer group where we get insights of each others businesses and we share our experiences to help other entrepreneurs break trough their issues. Jim is great facilitator and leader and appreciate his expertise.

Meetings are very structured once a month for an hour. Everyone committed helping each session.

We have the opportunity to prepare presentations with help of a coach, which gives us opportunity looking at our businesses from altitude perspective which we often forget to do.

The forum provides a monthly boost of energy and motivation. It is a great reminder of that we are not alone and most entrepreneurs have similar issues, regardless of the industry and we can learn from each other.

Val Dosev. Serial Entrepreneur.

"A real expert."

Jim is a real expert at PR and a great businessman. You are in safe hands with Jim.

Andy Clayton, Founder and CEO, Fermtech, Scale Coach. Formerly Beijing, now Oxford.

60 minutes of focus

The mastermind is comprised of upto eight entrepreneurs who are in the same stage of business as one another.

The sessions are 60 minutes on the same day of every recurring day for 12 months.

Whilst it seems a bit rigid, by keeping the same agenda everyone gets used to the format and we get a lot covered.

Each person takes turns to present on their issue, and that presentation is coached in advance and the presentation shared in advance with the other members of the group.

We adhere to the Gestalt method; everyone listens and shares their relevant experiences but no one gives advice. This is because each problem is context specific.

If you read below you'll see the power of this kind of format - it's used by the Entrepreneurs Organization, which is where I learnt the format when I set up the EO in China.

So I know this works. If you'd like to find out more then just click on the form below.

The Mastermind Alliance