FAQs

Following your application submission, if you have inquiries regarding your application or wish to offer further context about your professional background, please contact us at applications@ashiholding.com.

Employees from extra-small businesses (companies with fewer than 30 full-time employees) are welcome to apply if their experience within the last two years aligns with our membership criteria or if their current business has generated $2 million or more in annual revenue during the present fiscal year. Consequently, we might ask for supplementary information or documentation, including:

• Annual revenue for the current business (minimum $2 million annually)

• Previous job titles and company sizes

• Maximum team size managed

• Reporting level below CEO in previous positions

Criteria effective date: 11/8/2023.

Recognizing the potency of a robust network naturally fostering members' business engagements, we actively promote these connections within our community. Nevertheless, it's paramount for Strata to maintain a trusted environment for all members. Hence, we adhere to a stringent non-solicitation policy, disallowing proactive sales or marketing endeavors solely aimed at driving future business within the Strata community.

To commence the process, begin by submitting an application. Should you meet our membership standards, we typically aim to contact you within an average span of one month to arrange a 30-minute phone interview. This interview session allows us to delve into your career trajectory and your interest in Strata. Moreover, we use this opportunity to provide further insights about our community and address any queries you may have. If you are found eligible for membership, you can expect to receive an acceptance email typically within one week following your interview.

Should you have inquiries regarding the progress of your application, feel free to reach out to us at applications@ashiholding.com.

In instances where an applicant doesn't initially meet our membership criteria, we retain their information for future reference until they undergo a role change or an expansion in their scope of responsibilities. We encourage all applicants to reach out proactively via email to applications@ashiholding.com for updates or if they believe they now meet the criteria for membership based on changes in their role or scope. We're actively exploring enhancements to this process to offer greater clarity regarding pending membership status. Additionally, we ensure the provision of transparent and comprehensive criteria on our website for applicants to understand how we assess candidates for membership. For a deeper insight into our membership criteria, you can visit our membership criteria page.

Our membership offering is tailored for individuals holding significant senior leadership roles within their respective organizations. We carefully assess applicants for executive seniority to guarantee that our members can engage with genuine peers. If, at present, you do not meet our membership criteria, it's not a rejection, but rather an acknowledgment of "not yet." We aim to extend an invitation as you progress in your career, or as we expand our services to cater to a more diverse range of executives in the workplace.

Certainly, various industries and titles have distinct qualifications for Strata membership. Here are examples of industry-specific titles that may determine the eligibility criteria for Strata membership:

Banking / Financial Services:

• For National/Global Banks, seniority criteria typically includes the position of Managing Director or C-Level.

• For Regional Banks lacking Managing Directors, seniority criteria may involve VPs situated three levels below the CEO.

PR/Advertising/Marketing Agency:

• Seniority criteria usually includes SVP, C-Level, or Partner positions.

Nonprofit Organizations:

• Seniority criteria typically comprises the role of Executive Director.

Law Firms:

• Seniority criteria commonly involves Partners with an average team size exceeding 5.

Government Administration:

• Seniority criteria often includes the position of Deputy Director with an average team size greater than 5.

Higher Education:

• Seniority criteria usually encompasses positions such as Deans and Chancellors.

Job titles like "Chief of Staff" and "Head Of" can differ based on company size, reporting structure, distance from CEO levels, and past experiences.

Various geographies (such as the UK) might use alternative titles, such as Managing Director or Director, as the seniority equivalent of CXO or Vice President. In these situations, we consider the company's size, the hierarchical levels from the CEO, team size, as well as the scope and responsibilities to determine eligibility.

We strongly believe in ensuring that executives across all career stages have access to a nurturing community. However, membership in Strata is specifically designed to assist individuals in executive leadership roles, commonly within the corporate domain. Those in executive management roles frequently find themselves in mentorship positions without ample support for their own professional development. Our objective is not to exclude but to concentrate deliberately on constructing a reliable community of executive peers. Presently, our membership experience does not provide services tailored to meet the specific needs of independent consultants or executive coaches.

Strata's offerings are crafted to link and assist executives. Strata is not a platform for career services or business development networking. Although it offers broad workshops and community groups to aid members in their journey towards securing a board seat, Strata does not function as a board placement service.

Strata membership encompasses:

Monthly Core Groups

The foundation of the Strata experience revolves around its monthly core group gatherings, constituting the sole obligatory aspect within Strata. Upon joining Strata, our membership team takes great care in selecting compatible members to join your group. You'll be meticulously curated into a cohort alongside nine fellow leaders and an adept executive facilitator. Group formation is initially guided by industry alignment, further prioritizing traction metrics such as revenue, growth, user base, and workforce size.

These virtual core group meetings span 2.5 hours and occur 12 times annually.

Consider your core group as your personalized advisory board, offering guidance, crucial feedback, and support to expedite your business growth.

The sessions are meticulously structured and coordinated by your facilitator, who leverages a tried-and-tested Strata playbook designed to focus on the most pivotal aspects of your personal and professional journey.

Digital Community

Strata members gain instant access to the expansive Strata-wide digital community. We take pride in the robust 85% engagement within our community, where members actively strive to assist others and exchange pertinent information. Whether you're facing an urgent issue like securing another round of funding, contemplating executive hiring, or finalizing a significant contract, chances are a fellow Strata member has encountered a similar experience and is available to offer assistance.

Upon joining Strata, you'll be granted access to our exclusive Strata directory and portal. This resource not only features a comprehensive list of every member along with their contact details but also allows you to locate Strata members on a map, facilitating quick and efficient meet-ups for coffees or regional gatherings.

Additionally, as a member of Strata, you'll benefit from the guidance of "Harper Strata," our dedicated full-time digital concierge. "Harper Strata" is committed to aiding you during onboarding, connecting you with other Strata affiliates, and directing you toward relevant speaker series or in-person events.

Lastly, we curate a weekly Strata newsletter, consolidating the most significant Strata discussions, introducing new members, and ensuring you stay informed about the bustling activities within our thriving community.

In-person Community

Our approach to in-person events at Strata revolves around three fundamental elements: our monthly member gatherings, yearly retreats, and regional excursions.

Recognizing the enthusiasm of Strata members for in-person interactions, we've curated member dinners across our prime locations. Since we are primarily based in the GCC, our goal is to host 4 dinners annually in various GCC locations. The plan is to continue adding more dinners in line with our growing membership. The best part? These gatherings are meticulously organized and covered by Strata.

While our plans for the annual retreats are in the early stages, we aspire to arrange a two-day retreat annually for each member within a core group. Picture a two-day retreat, offering a blend of rustic charm and luxury in an idyllic setting, focused on personal and professional development. All arrangements and coordination are taken care of by Strata.

Additionally, understanding the penchant of Strata community members for enjoyable experiences and seeking adventure, we're devising an array of open-to-all activities. Keep an eye out for these memorable and engaging events!

Speaker Series & Education

Understanding the significance of accessing top-tier expertise and staying ahead in your field, we at Strata curate distinctive workshops and invite distinguished speakers to engage with our community across a spectrum of subjects. We've had the privilege of meeting and speaking with a long list of accomplished individuals from various industries, including notable figures in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

If there's a particular individual you wish to learn from or engage with, there's a high probability we can facilitate that interaction.

Exclusive Perks

We've actively arranged special deals and discounts with leading software companies, diverse tools, and various applications. These offerings become readily available upon joining Strata. Moreover, we're diligently creating a Strata Preferred Vendor List. This resource will grant you direct access to a compilation of vendors and software endorsed personally by Strata members, complete with their reviews and recommendations. Whether you're in search of an HR tool, require developer services, or need a local design agency, we've got your needs covered.

We greatly appreciate receiving event and speaker suggestions from the larger business community and welcome you to share your recommendations by emailing programming@ashiholding.com. Due to the high influx of these requests and our advanced planning for programming schedules, we can only respond to event and speaker submissions that align with our editorial calendar.

We're eager to explore potential partnership opportunities. Kindly reach out to us at partnerships@ashiholding.com, providing background information about the opportunity. As we receive a substantial volume of these requests, we can only respond to partnership proposals that align with our strategic objectives and with which we aim to proceed.