Frequently Asked Questions about C12
The Evolution of C12
Founded in 1992 by Buck Jacobs in Tampa, Florida, C12 has grown from three local Peer Advisory Groups to the nation’s largest network of Christian CEOs, business owners, and executives. C12 is a leader in the movement of God in and through the marketplace. Located in major metro areas across the United States, C12 Business Forums serves businesses with 10 to 10,000+ employees and annual revenues ranging from $2 million to $2 billion+.
C12 is not a business bible study or a Christian business networking group. It’s an architected environment for business, life, and leadership transformation. Designed exclusively for Christian CEOs and executives, the C12 format helps you calibrate the entirety of your business by providing a framework and format to evaluate and align to the focus areas in our signature 5-Point Alignment Matrix: revenue generation, operations management, financial management, organizational development, and ministry in and through the business.
You likely have questions. We can answer some of them now.
How do I qualify for C12 membership?
C12 membership is invitation-only, but open to any CEO, business owner, or executive of a growth-stage company with 10 or more employees and greater than $2 million in annual revenue. Although these are the minimum qualifications, there are many companies in C12 with tens of thousands of employees and billions in revenue and every company size in between. The first step to explore membership is to speak with a local C12 market leader to determine qualification and fit as they work with you to find the optimal forum in your area.
Is there a cost for C12 membership?
Yes, C12 is a dues-based membership paid monthly. This fee-for-service covers your monthly meeting experience and materials as well as your monthly one hour individual coaching session. Dues amounts are determined locally based on market economics and dynamics.
What is the average length of C12 membership?
C12 is more like an ongoing fitness program rather than an emergency room. Therefore, members typically participate in C12 for 5-7 years on average as they work to grow their business. Because of the high return on investment most companies realize through C12, we have hundreds of members who have been in C12 for decades! C12’s retention rate for membership is the highest in the peer advisory group space, both secular and faith-based.
What is the time investment to be a C12 member?
The total investment of time particpating in C12 experiences is typically less than 100 hours a year. However, C12 is like any other investment in growth in that the results depend on the diligence applied to the action steps and strategic plans you make. We classify your time particpating in C12 as working “on” the business, not “in” it. With the highest retention rate and satisfaction scores in the industry, the vast majority of C12 members expect and receive a return on their investment.
How can I lead a C12 Business Forum?
Our C12 Business Forum Chairs are full-time entrepreneurs, many operating as independent business owners of a C12 franchise in their market. C12 Chairs are responsible to serve the local members by facilitating world-class in-person meeting experiences, offering individual executive coaching services, and providing market leadership and development for C12. There are several channels to become a Chair, but the process begins with a discovery call with our C12HQ recruiting team.
What if I’m not a CEO or business owner?
C12 offers a Key Player Business Forum designed for executive leadership and senior management of C12 member companies. To maintain confidentiality and group equivalence, Key Players meet separately from CEO/owner members. The experience, however, is similar, with exclusive Business Forums monthly, executive-level curriculum, a biannual business presentation for peer feedback, and personalized leadership development. Enrolling multiple members of a company’s leadership team in C12 enhances vision alignment, strategic plan deployment, and business performance.