"You don't want to get advice from people you respect like this and four months later, come back to say you didn't do anything with the good ideas they gave you," Fochtman says. "That would be embarrassing. If you have not followed up in your commitments, it's not good. It's kind of like failing your father, because we respect each other so much."

Collectively, the revenue of all five contractors is valued at nearly $200 million, according to the company owners in the group, and many of the companies have at least 200 employees. That all groups are somewhat equal in scale and experience is also a part of the "The Next Level Network's" design. This allows the companies to relate to each other better than if a contractor from significantly smaller revenues came into the scene.

"You just need to find somewhat a like-kind business where you can communicate at the same level," Fochtman says. "A $5 (million) or $3 million contractor will struggle to advise a $20 million contractor."

Joining a networking group may not produce winning results for all contractors. Not only does peer networking entail serious commitment, it's pricey as well. There's the issue of hiring a facilitator and paying for travel expenses. Both should be taken into consideration. Also, participants must open all facets of their business operations openly and honestly at the meetings.

All work and no play?

Fortunately, the peer group also recognizes that a couple of days' worth of hard work deserves a day of play. The third and last day of the meeting is dedicated to leisure and was originally intended to break the ice between the contractors who were just becoming acquainted with each other. Two years later, members of the peer group have developed a sense of camaraderie out of the extra day, which in the past featured deep-sea fishing, river rafting and golf. "As we've been together for two years, we're more comfortable with each other. It opens up conversation, breaks down barriers," says Wayne Shively, co-owner of Pine Ridge Landscaping.

Contractors involved in "The Next Level Network" recommend other companies get involved in peer networking groups, considering the amount that gets accomplished after the meetings. "Each meeting we take something away to fine tune our companies," Shively says. "Anytime you can get together with other companies that aren't competing and share best practices and learn from each other, it's the only going to help us improve."

In networking, we trust

In addition to the exclusivity and company profile of the groups involved, trust must also play a major role. Companies involved in "The Next Level Network" share confidential information and those involved in the group abide by the rules to keep information within the group only.

"If someone breached it, it would be time for a serious conversation," Daniell says. "I have to trust. It's kind of like having kids. You give them trust until they give you reason not to trust them."

With trust, effort, preparation and zeal, contractors involved in "The Next Level Network" have garnered measurable improvement in their business operation.

"We're getting thousands of dollars of advice of some of the greatest minds in the industry, in my opinion, counseling us," Fochtman says. "Where else could we get advice like that?"

— The author is a freelance writer from New York City who is now finishing her Masters degree at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Contact her at c-pae@northwestern.edu
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