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Owners' Circles


Business owners need lawyers, accountants, bankers, employees and customers. But what they really need are people like themselves with whom they can candidly share insights and experiences. The Owners' CircleTM is a proven organizational innovation through which owners of privately-held and family businesses can discuss problems and explore opportunities with seasoned peers.
A product of years of research and experimentation at the State University of New York at Buffalo and at Eastern Washington University, the Owners' Circle an invitation-only forum that brings together entrepreneurs with common interests and needs and diverse experience and abilities. 
Each Owners' Circle consists of from seven to fifteen venturers whose accomplishments, abilities and present activities are compatible. The protocol of an Owners' Circle stimulates a consistent and productive exchange of ideas, insights and inspiration among participating business owners. 
Owners' Circles are organized by sponsors — firms, organizations, and professional practices — that introduce clients, prospects and owners-at-large to the powerful concept of experience sharing and to the magic of maximizing individual return from joint collaboration. 
Upon acceptance into an Owners' Circle, a participant is designated a Fellow of the Center for Business Ownership Inc. and is entitled to a wide array of benefits.
Benefits
Owners Circle participants enjoy unmatched opportunities to:
  • Be part of a network of like-minded venturers
  • Tap the experiences of real-life practitioners
  • Find proven techniques that really work
  • Have a sounding board for ideas, plans, and alternative options
  • Learn how to expand, protect, and enjoy the personal wealth a business represents
  • Save money on consultants
  • Compare performance and profit from others' mistakes
  • Find helpers whose only price is help-in-return
  • Spot emerging issues and trends
  • Get inspiration from others' visions and dreams
  • Enjoy an atmosphere of trust and a guarantee of confidentiality
  • Get help in setting up a company Advisory Board
  • Augment the inputs of a board of directors
Between meetings, Fellows are provided with helpful publications CDs, and the BrainFoodToGo.com web portal
Each Owners' Circle is carefully structured to preclude participation by competitors while, at the same time, ensuring a chemistry with like-minded peers. 
Activities
Fellows meet in Executive Session at least monthly for two hours to exchange ideas, advice and suggestions concerning the major problems and opportunities that are currently challenging their firms.  
The Executive Session is the core activity of every Owners' Circle and allows each Fellow to make a detailed presentation on selected problems or opportunities involving his or her firm. The recommended presentation format facilitates both creative brainstorming and carefully focused discussion involving all of the Fellows in the Owners' Circle. Such active interchange produces workable, helpful, practical, no-cost advice for the presenting Fellow from concerned, impartial, friendly peers who have learned by doing and are motivated to share what they've learned.  Additional activity programs are decided upon by participants but typically include:
  • A clinic session during each meeting at which members can request immediate help with a new problem of opportunity.
  • Reports on relevant books and tapes
  • Business visitations and social engagements between regular meetings
  • A system for co-mentoring among Fellows
  • A tip exchange through which Fellows can share "special information."
Services
The Center for Business Ownership Inc. provides all the materials necessary for organizing and operating an Owners' Circle. In addition, since Owners' Circles often schedule meetings in addition to their Executive Sessions, access to a national network of experienced speakers and professional presenters is provided by the Center for Business Ownership Inc.
Between meetings, Fellows receive publications, CDs and tapes that provide other helpful, need-to-know information. 
An Owners Directory gives everyone the means to communicate, one-on-one, with participants in other Owners’ Circles.
A participant can also get assistance in organizing an Advisory Board that is dedicated to the unique challenges of his or her company. Optional counseling, coaching and mentoring services are also available.
Participation
To participate in an Owners' Circle, a venturer must:
  • Be the owner, principal operating officer or “resident intrapreneur” of an established business.
  • Attend a two-hour Owners' Circle Executive Session at least once a month.
  • Make a detailed presentation to the Owners' Circleabout his or her enterprise.
  • Be interested in developing both personal and professional relationships with other participating Fellows.
Getting started
Owners' Circles can be sponsored by individual business owners; professional organizations; law and accounting firms; financial institutions; insurance companies; universities; chambers of commerce; and trade associations. 
The Center for Business Ownership Inc. provides sponsors with the materials necessary for conducting an orientation meeting and all of the subsequent business meetings of an Owners' Circle. 
Informational handouts, including a Registration Form, Mentoring Guidelines, prototype Executive Session agenda and Confidentiality Agreement, are provided. 

A facilitator can be retained to conduct on-site orientations and meetings.
Fill out the form below and e-mail it to us to get what you need to begin!
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