FBMA Round Tables
By bringing together people in similar
businesses to share with and help each other, these round table groups are designed to help business principals in managing
and growing their businesses. Each round table consists of up to 9 non-competing companies.
Why
Join An FBMA Round Table Round tables help the participants keep body and soul together so that they can turn around
and do the same for the people who depend on them. The issues covered during an average meeting might include:
- Here's my new idea. What problems do you see?
- Pricing Strategies
- Incentive programs
- How can I get additional bank funding without signing a personal
guarantee?
- What am I missing when I look over my P&L statement?
- My
Dad just found out he has cancer. I don't know what to do.
- Is it time for me to start advertising
on TV?. How do I put together a media plan? Help!
Round table discussions
lead to new approaches and forward-thinking perspectives that keep businesses on the front lines of growth and development.
They provide the inspiration to challenge conventional thinking, confront problems head-on and put groundbreaking ideas into
action with confidence. When a member of round table faces a tough decision, the group’s participants provide feedback
from an effective sounding board—fellow executives who have met and overcome similar challenges. Operating like a
board of directors, round table members develop answers for an individual member’s questions and, more importantly,
question a member’s answers until the member is sure he or she has got it right. An FBMA round table is about driving
real results in real time. No theoretical business school scenarios—members get continuous, accelerated, practical
executive coaching that they can put into practice immediately. The round table members encourage individual participants
to start making the decisions that get better results.
Some round table groups will
make the decision to share and compare financial results. To do so, each participant completes a detailed online financial
survey. From the completed surveys, ratios are developed and reported. Then one day a meeting is devoted to analyzing the
comparative results. During a typical meeting, every member gets a shot at putting an issue on the table. During a 5 to
10 minute presentation they explain the problem and what they want from the group. To get a handle on the issue the group
will ask questions, tear down the subject and build a solution.
Typically, FBMA
round table groups meet twice per year (Spring and Fall) for one and one-half to two days. The meetings are member planned
and driven with an outside facilitator who moderates the discussions. The meetings are usually held in member communities
and often include a visit and critique of the local member’s operation. To develop the deep relationships that lead
to greater trust, round table members will typically spend time together the day and evening before the meeting.
The FBMA roundtable rules are simple: participants must be non-competing FBMA members; willing to
share; attendance is mandatory; all members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement; new member must be approved
unanimously and any and all roundtable materials must be surrendered should a member leave the group.
About The Cost
1. Time — One and one-half
to two full days twice a year. As you learn to build and manage a self-sustaining organization, the time you spend in
the round table meeting actually gives you more personal time. Round table membership helps you manage and grow your business
without sacrificing your soul or family.
2. Money — Participation in an FBMA round table will
cost your company $800 per year. This fee includes site selection and arrangements, meeting preparation and meeting facilitation.
Any meeting expenses—meeting rooms, refreshment and the facilitator expenses—are divided equally among the
round tables’ members. The preceding fee does not include financial comparisons, which are prepared through the
Construction Suppliers Association’s BMOC program for a cost of around $250 per year. The BMOC report not only includes
comparisons of round table members’ results but also to other companies across the region and nation. All information
is kept strictly confidential.
