Small Business Program

Strengthen performance and unlock growth with the right tools and strategies.

SB Program

Vistage Small Business Program

When running a small business, you face new challenges every day—limited time, stretched resources, strong competition and a constantly changing marketplace.

The Vistage Small Business Program gives you a confidential forum to step back from day-to-day pressures and focus on the decisions that matter most. This creates space for clearer thinking and more confident decision-making, helping you build a stronger, more sustainable business over time. Led by an experienced executive coach (Chair), your peer group provides unbiased perspectives, structured peer support and practical insights from other business owners in non-competing industries. Together, you test thinking, reduce isolation and uncover opportunities—leading to better decisions and improved business performance.

Supporting small business owners to lead with confidence and clarity.

In a small business, better decisions lead to stronger performance, improved stability and sustainable growth.

Challenge:

You’re making all the important decisions on your own and worry you may be missing key insights.

Solution:

Get objective input from a confidential group of non-competing business owners in your local business community. Many have faced similar challenges and provide practical insights based on real experience, all shared in a trusted and confidential setting. The focus is on improving decision-making and building stronger businesses.

Challenge:

You’re wearing too many hats and juggling so many responsibilities that you risk burnout.

Solution:

Learn practical ways to improve how you run your business, including leadership habits and operational approaches that create more balance, efficiency and control.

Challenge:

You’re stuck in day-to-day operations and struggling to keep up with change and new opportunities.

Solution:

Free up time to work on your business with support from experienced business owners who have faced similar challenges, along with guidance from an experienced executive coach.

Challenge:

You’re finding it difficult to attract, develop and retain the right people to build a strong team and culture.

Solution

Access practical strategies and peer experience to improve hiring, leadership and employee engagement, helping you build a more productive and resilient team.

Take the next step improve your leadership and drive outstanding results.

What our members say

Members value the experience and honest input of other business owners and CEOs. They share real-world insights, challenge thinking and help each other make better decisions and grow stronger businesses.

Ala Mobedi

CEO of The Lamson Group

‘Having a peer advisory group with diverse styles and strategies offers a genuine way of professional development that suits different people. The true value of Vistage is hearing from someone else’s unique approach, which helps me adapt my own style based on their advice.’

Danie Blom

Founder, Accesstel Pty Ltd

‘Vistage provides the opportunity to learn from others and as a leader, if you don’t have a network of CEOs you don’t know what’s happening in other businesses. Seeing similar problems tells me that I’m not unique and that we’re okay. Making time to think about the business is so valuable, and has allowed me to work on the business rather than in the business.’

How the Small Business Program works

Confidential peer advisory groups

  • Draw on the collective experience of an exclusive group of business owners from non-competing businesses.
  • Work through your key challenges and opportunities, while staying accountable for your future actions.
  • Move forward with confidence, secure in the knowledge that your Chair and group are fully behind you.

Private executive coaching

  • Receive one-to-one executive coaching and mentoring from your Chair, an accomplished business leader.
  • Access personalised guidance to address issues and explore new opportunities.

World-class speakers and events

  • Access tools, insights and ideas that help strengthen your business performance, leadership and strategy.
  • Generate fresh ideas for business growth and personal development by learning from experts at your peer group meetings, regional events, and workshops.

Specialised networks and communities

  • Access online and in-person communities organised by industry, function or location.
  • Get quick responses to tactical questions from a network of SME CEOs, business owners and trusted advisors.

The Small Business Program overview

  • Monthly half-day peer advisory board meetings per year.
  • Monthly one-to-one sessions with a private executive coach.
  • Up to 4 speaker workshops by subject matter experts.
  • 24/7 access to a global community of 45,000+ business leaders who face similar challenges, issues and opportunities.
DOWNLOAD OVERVIEW
APPLY NOW
Australian small business owners at a Vistage chief executive leadership program.

Frequently asked questions

How do peer groups help business owners?

Peer groups help business owners make better decisions by providing access to honest feedback, real-world experience and different perspectives from people facing similar challenges.

What kind of problems do peer groups help with?

Business owners use peer groups to work through challenges such as cashflow pressure, team and hiring issues, time constraints, growth decisions and getting out of day-to-day operational overload.

How do peer groups help when I’m too busy running my business?

Peer groups create structured time to step back from daily operations so you can think more clearly, prioritise effectively and focus on the decisions that matter most.

How do small business coaching sessions contribute to business growth? 

Small business coaching sessions provide personalised guidance tailored to your business goals. By focusing on effective business planning and leadership skills, these sessions equip you with strategies to grow your business in both the short term and long term. Executive coaches help you identify opportunities and challenges, ensuring your path to business success is clear and achievable. 

What is the role of the Chair in a peer group?

The Chair facilitates the group, helps structure discussions and ensures conversations stay focused on solving real business problems. They also provide one-to-one support between sessions.

How are peer advisory groups different from asking for advice elsewhere?

Unlike online forums or informal advice, peer groups are structured, confidential and focused on real business issues. You get direct input from experienced business owners, not general opinions.

What do business owners gain from peer advisory groups?

Business owners gain clearer thinking, stronger decision-making and practical solutions to real challenges. Many also value the ability to step back from daily pressure and speak openly with people who understand their situation.

Keep exploring 

Our Approach

Executive coaching alone can’t compete with Vistage’s proven approach to leadership development. Diverse perspectives from trusted peers, an experienced executive coach (Chair) and subject matter experts help drive better results.

Learn more about our approach

Our Chairs

Vistage Chairs provide leadership coaching and mentoring with real-world experience. They’re also passionate individuals, invested in helping all members grow and succeed.

Meet our Chair community

Our Members

The proof is in the professional successes and personal achievements of our members. Hear why they rely on their peer advisory groups and Chair.

Hear from some of our members