[Noir]

Hey everyone.

Do any RVFers know anything about YPO?

Even more so, are there any members?

I have been headhunted by an agency to collaborate with YPO and it has definitely sparked my interest.

I was wondering whether anyone has experience with YPO or any other similar organizations?

Either as a member or as an employee.

To quote their website:

Quote:

The premier leadership organization of chief executives in the world.

YPO is the global platform for chief executives to engage, learn and grow. YPO members harness the knowledge, influence and trust of the world’s most influential and innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family and community impact.

Today, YPO empowers more than 24,000 members in more than 130 countries, diversified among industries and types of businesses. Altogether, YPO member-run companies employ 15 million people and generate USD6 trillion in annual revenues.

They are a group for CEOs and decision-makers to network, support and meet on a monthly basis.

The membership requirements are pretty 'elite' in the sense; You have to meet at least one of the A and B categories below.

Quote:

“A” REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENT #1
The candidate must have at least 50 regular, full-time employees or the equivalent under his or her control. Persons engaged on a commission basis rather than straight salary are considered employees if they are permanently connected with the corporation and receive their principal livelihood there from. Seasonal employees are not included in YPO’s employee definition.

OR

REQUIREMENT #2
The total compensation of all employees, excluding the compensation of the candidate, must exceed USD2,000,000 and a 15 employee minimum.


“B” REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENT #1
The corporation must meet dollar volume requirements based on the type of corporation he or she runs, as follows:

Sales/Services/Manufacturing corporations must have at least USD13,000,000 in gross annual sales or turnover.

Financial institutions must have average annual assets of at least USD260,000,000.

Agency-type businesses must have annual fees or commissions billed of at least USD10,000,000.

OR

REQUIREMENT #2

The corporation must have an enterprise value of USD20,000,000 as defined by one of the following:

Net worth of assets before depreciation of USD20,000,000.

Independent third-party investment/valuation of USD20,000,000.

The sum of the company’s public equity value plus its debt less cash must equal USD20,000,000.

From an employee's standpoint, it looks like your average corporate job with high salaries, high workload and lots of travelling.

A great opportunity to build a network albeit expensive with annual membership from 3000USD to 10000USD so getting in to their workplace might be a better way in.

Keen to hear any opinions.

[BelyyTigr]

I looked at YPO a few years ago, when I was looking for networking opportunities/entrepreneur peer groups.

Some observations for entrepreneurs who are considering membership:-
1)The entrance criteria are potentially weird. Some criteria are far more achievable than others for certain business sectors.
2)It seems to be more geared for salarymen/directors at large organisations, rather than people who built their own company from scratch and still own it. Especially considering the entrance requirements.
3)There are cut off points for joining. And at a particular age, you are booted out. Which seems a bit sad in a way.
4)On the other hand, its extremely prestigious. And has numerous "A listers" as members.
It could be a potential ticket to the big league.

I'm told that a fair number of members are "front man CEOs" for a business ie they aren't the true CEO, but may have a substantial role in a business. I also understand a fair number inherited a business or even bought one to suit entrance criteria.
They also have clubs for their spouses and children, so the latter can develop as influential CEOs too. I feel a bit uncomfortable at that. I mean these kids have enough privilege already, highly expensive private schools etc etc

I'm also told that some of them fit the "rich playboys image" you might expect hunting lions/on Operation Raleigh at university/went to a $50k a year high school etc. Again this sort of stuff doesn't appeal to me.
Some of the members are ultrahard working and ultra talented.

In my case, I decided against working towards membership or tweaking my activity to suit entrance.
There are more entrepreneur owner-managed organisations I could choose, for instance.

As I understand you are looking at being an employee, you may want to read the Glassdoor reviews.
It gets a lot of criticism from some and a fair amount of praise from others.

[Noir]

Thanks Belyy, it confirms my research about them.

Pretty elite, probably snobby.

With regards to the work environment, the Glassdoor reviews echo the corporate environment of hectic hours and a few shitty bosses.

It's concerning but they offered to double my salary, free tertiary education at any institution of my choice and plenty of travel.

You can't discount the network opportunities either and the focus of the role offered is to network and connect people/recruit CEOs.

I am pretty cut throat at my own office and looking to rise up in another company where I can have a mentor to learn from with the end goal of being my own boss/business owner.

As for the actual membership, I am a while away from paying 10k annually to be part of a group hence this could be one way in.

[BelyyTigr]

(04-04-2017 08:12 AM)Noir Wrote:  

Thanks Belyy, it confirms my research about them.

Pretty elite, probably snobby.

With regards to the work environment, the Glassdoor reviews echo the corporate environment of hectic hours and a few shitty bosses.

It's concerning but they offered to double my salary, free tertiary education at any institution of my choice and plenty of travel.

You can't discount the network opportunities either and the focus of the role offered is to network and connect people/recruit CEOs.

I am pretty cut throat at my own office and looking to rise up in another company where I can have a mentor to learn from with the end goal of being my own boss/business owner.

As for the actual membership, I am a while away from paying 10k annually to be part of a group hence this could be one way in.

No problem. I don't know if you're expecting your salary to dramatically increase via other paths, but taking it on its own, that sounds a very good offer.

Say if you couldn't get on with them (very worst case scenario) it wouldn't be that big a problem to quit them and find another job?

I don't know how much you'd mix with the members(I suspect, not that much), but as a career step, the perks alone sound pretty interesting.

For me tho', I'm an entrepreneur not CEO of some PLC's subdivision. So whilst I'd like to network with some of them, membership wouldn't be for me, for now.

[Easy_C]

Sounds interesting. Hectic hours usually goes with the territory of a great salary. Shitty bosses is harder to deal with, but keep in mind that most shitty bosses are that way because they're egomaniacs and as such can be managed (assuming they're not just crazy).

[Jack_Smith]

(04-03-2017 11:46 AM)Noir Wrote:  

Do any RVFers know anything about YPO?

Even more so, are there any members?

I have been headhunted by an agency to collaborate with YPO and it has definitely sparked my interest.

I was wondering whether anyone has experience with YPO or any other similar organizations?

Either as a member or as an employee.

I know several (now former, due to age) members, including a recent former US national Chair/Pres of YPO. To a man, they describe membership as a life changing experience, one that is near impossible to replicate in any other organization, and lament aging out of their membership.

I am also familiar with a number of other CEO/Founder membership organizations in the US, Vistage (was TEC, Michael Milliken's thing) and YEO, in particular. IMO YPO is the most selective and impactful. As a businessman, I have come to take YPO membership as an imprimatur of quality.

Bottom Line - YPO is the shit. If you can get in; absolutely do it.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

[Jack_Smith]

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

I looked at YPO a few years ago, when I was looking for networking opportunities/entrepreneur peer groups ... It seems to be more geared for salarymen/directors at large organisations, rather than people who built their own company from scratch and still own it.

YPO is geared for FAST TRACKERS - corporate business executives who attain a high level of performance and responsibility at a young age. It is specifically NOT designed for entrepreneurs. Sister organization YEO is designed for entrepreneurs.

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

3)There are cut off points for joining. And at a particular age, you are booted out. Which seems a bit sad in a way.

Yes, BUT, while what you say is true and every YPOer I know laments aging out of their membership, the age cap keeps the organization young, vibrant, and true to its FAST TRACKER mission. How many 60 year old fast trackers do you know?

Also, IIRC YPO recently launched a sister organization to serve alumni.

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

4)On the other hand, its extremely prestigious. And has numerous "A listers" as members.
It could be a potential ticket to the big league.

^^THIS

[Noir]

Thanks Jack, I will definitely PM you soon.

[BelyyTigr]

(04-04-2017 04:07 PM)Jack_Smith Wrote:  

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

I looked at YPO a few years ago, when I was looking for networking opportunities/entrepreneur peer groups ... It seems to be more geared for salarymen/directors at large organisations, rather than people who built their own company from scratch and still own it.

YPO is geared for FAST TRACKERS - corporate business executives who attain a high level of performance and responsibility at a young age. It is specifically NOT designed for entrepreneurs. Sister organization YEO is designed for entrepreneurs.

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

3)There are cut off points for joining. And at a particular age, you are booted out. Which seems a bit sad in a way.

Yes, BUT, while what you say is true and every YPOer I know laments aging out of their membership, the age cap keeps the organization young, vibrant, and true to its FAST TRACKER mission. How many 60 year old fast trackers do you know?

Also, IIRC YPO recently launched a sister organization to serve alumni.

(04-04-2017 07:59 AM)BelyyTigr Wrote:  

4)On the other hand, its extremely prestigious. And has numerous "A listers" as members.
It could be a potential ticket to the big league.

^^THIS

Hmm, I follow what you're saying.
But here were my concerns.

1)Many entrepreneurs want to learn about the corporate/mature phase business world. And many established execs/CEOs want to learn about entrepreneurial situations. But YPO and EO are pretty separate entities it seems.

2)It seems YPO is presented as a "considerably more prestigious one". But the entry criteria can work in weird ways. For instance, someone who's a salaryman on a (fairly) modest income managing a load of commission only sales reps is allowed in. But the owner of a hedge fund who is worth, and earning far more (perhaps via tax efficient shell companies etc) can be excluded. OR the hedge funder would have to (harmfully!) rearrange his business to gain entry. It doesn't seem to make sense, in that way.

3)As for "fast trackers", well the question is, "who has got the big responsibility or shown high performance"?

The high achiever at his own hedge fund/prop house etc? Or the guy in a little subdivision of an S&P 500 who's guided by head office in everything in a considerably easier, far less remunerative and less demanding role (eg in what looks like a franchise)?

4)Likewise, I don't think it tends to be the young guns that are the most successful. Yes we all know about Zuckerberg, Dell and co. But most people are going into the mega-leagues in their late 40s, 50s, 60s or beyond. I know a few people who've got to 15m turnover very young, very quickly, but know their business will never go far beyond that. Conversely the guy who's turning over 400m often mightn't stand a chance of getting into YPO before the 40 yrs cut off age. Different business fields have different growth profiles and maxima.

Finally, aren't the 50+ guys the ones many CEOs are going to want to speak to most of all for advice?
Thats always what I've wanted to do personally.
OK so YPO want a particular vibe, thats fine. But the question remains. Fasttrack to what? The real megaleague or the next incremental promotion as a cog in the machine?

Its not meant as an attack on YPO. I know its got big, sometimes gigantic benefits for its members. But some of it seems a little arbitrary and even perculiar, atleast to my mindset.

Perhaps the related groups coming together sometimes might help in a way?