Business Owners Forum ("B.O.F.")

The "B.O.F." is designed exclusively for the second-stage Business-Owners, based on the tried and tested concept of Peer-to-Peer Learning. This program involves (a) identification of groups of successful and ambitious owners of relatively larger businesses and (b) propelling them towards proper tools for planning and implementing growth plans for their businesses - this generates not only growth and prosperity for their businesses but also, collectively, enhances the overall economic prosperity of the region.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Groups of up to ten Business-Owners (BO), from non-competing businesses are formed - called "Business Owners Forums"(BOF)
• Each BOF group meets monthly by rotation in the work-premises of the member BOs. After the first round of visits & meetings in each others' locations, the group then meets at another facility more conducive to formal business meetings. The specific day of the monthly meeting is determined by each group in advance.
• " Each BOF group has an assigned Facilitator who meets with the "host" BO before each meeting to:
1. assess & discuss the current situation of the his/her business
2. help review/develop & analyze host's Vision/Mission and SWOT/WOW/Expansion Matrix/financials/etc., as necessary
3. develop plan for host's presentation in next BOF meeting
• The duration of each BOF meeting is 4 hrs from 2 PM to 6 PM. The first half of the meeting is dedicated to discussing the host's strategic vision & growth plans; these are looked at and discussed objectively by the group, in an environment of extreme confidentiality using the "Board of Directors" format of discussion. The second half of each meeting opens the floor for discussing growth and critical issues/problems of other members of the Forum. The facilitator coordinates and monitors each meeting.
• At the end of each BOF meeting no paperwork or information is taken out by anyone, or shared outside the meeting. Strict confidentiality is the cornerstone of all BOF activities and meetings.
• Each year BOF members go to an overnight retreat at the "Big Rock Valley" in Cassopolis, Michigan; retreats conducted courtesy of the Edward Lowe Foundation.
• BOF Members also attend Quarterly Dinner-Workshops specially designed for second-stage business owners on relevant topics of their interest.