The figure comes up in every survey: 45% of small business leaders feel isolated in their decision-making. No partner, no management committee, no peer to ask "what would you do in my place?"
Co-development groups are the most effective answer to this isolation. Participants report that it's often the best decision I've made for my business.
The concept in brief
A co-development group brings together 5 to 8 leaders of non-competing businesses who meet regularly (monthly or bi-monthly) to solve each other's problems together.
The functioning is structured:
- A member presents their issue (10 minutes)
- The group asks clarifying questions (10 minutes)
- The group proposes solution paths (30 minutes)
- The member concerned chooses which paths to explore and commits to an action plan (10 minutes)
- At the next session, they report back on results
It's not coaching (there's no coach above). It's not consulting (the members are peers). It's collective intelligence among equals.
What it concretely brought me
Problem 1: one client represented 40% of my revenue The group helped realize the risk and put in place a diversification strategy in 6 months. When this client cut their budget by 50% a year later, the entrepreneur was ready.
Problem 2: difficulty raising rates A group member, who had experienced the same situation, shared their method with me: increase rates for new clients immediately and old clients gradually over 12 months. Result: +18% average daily rate in one year, zero clients lost.
Problem 3: conflict with a partner The group's outside perspective allows you to step back from a situation experienced emotionally. The group's cold analysis identifies the real problem (not the one I thought) and saved me from a costly management mistake.
The different formats available
Formal networks
CJD (Centre des Jeunes Dirigeants) — groups of 8-12 leaders, with thematic commissions and a trained facilitator. Fee: €1,500 to €2,500/year depending on the section.
APM (Association Progrès du Management) — groups of 15-20 SME leaders, with a professional facilitator and expert speakers. Fee: €4,000 to €5,000/year. More oriented toward SMEs.
Réseau Entreprendre — peer groups for supported entrepreneurs and business takers. Free (included in support).
Employer groupings — less known, but members also share common management and HR issues.
Informal formats
Masterminds — Anglo-Saxon term for self-organized groups of entrepreneurs. No national structure, no fee: 4-6 people who decide to meet regularly. The most flexible and least expensive format.
Online communities — forums, Slack or Discord groups dedicated to entrepreneurs in your sector. Less in-depth than a physical group, but accessible at any time.
Le Réseau Booster — the platform facilitates connection between entrepreneurs with complementary profiles for exchanges of skills and issues.
How to get the most out of a co-development group
Be vulnerable. If you come masking your problems, you're wasting your time. The best groups are those where members dare to say "I'm in trouble" without fear of judgment.
Respect confidentiality. What's said in the group stays in the group. Without this rule, nobody opens up.
Apply. A group that thinks without acting is a discussion club. Commit to concrete actions at each session, and report back on them.
Diversify profiles. A group composed only of marketing consultants will go in circles. The richness comes from diversity of trades, company sizes, and experiences.
Be consistent. Trust is built over time. Missing every other session breaks the momentum and signals disengagement.
Co-development is not a luxury for top executives. It's a practical tool for entrepreneurs who want to make better decisions, faster, and with less stress.