American Association of Roundtables


		Wednesday, December 6, 2023

ROUNDTABLE OVERVIEW

Overview

Non-Competing business roundtable is a concept that has gained considerable momentum in recent years.

The information shared by the members participating in these meetings is not obtainable from any source at any price and has considerably enhanced the productivity and profitability of most.

Rules

The roundtable rules are simple:

1. Members must be Non-competing and willing to share financial and other sensitive information.

2. Owners and/or Managers must attend.

3. Repeated non-attendees are dropped from the group.

4. Timely submission of meeting data is required.

5. No information leaves the roundtable.

6. All members are required to sign confidentiality agreements.

7. All materials must be surrendered should a member leave the group.

Concept

The Concept is members helping members.

Meetings are member planned and driven with an outside facilitator who:

1. Publishes the member-planned agendas.

2. Provides meeting preparation requirements.

3. Process member financial and other data.

4. Moderates the meeting discussions.

Meeting logistics are to be coordinated by AART.

For the first few years, meetings are planned in member locations to accommodate tours, which are critiqued by the participants.

Recreation is also generally planned, in conjunction with meetings, which promotes camaraderie and enhances member exchange of information.

Meetings

Roundtable participation requires a commitment and consequently is not for everyone.

There are some drawbacks to the program:

1. It takes time to prepare for the meetings.

2. The Meetings take you away from your business and there are travel and meeting expenses involved.

3. As with any endeavor, a few members don't take full advantage of the information they obtain.

Most members, however, regard the roundtable as one of the most valuable resources available to them. The minor drawbacks are far outweighed by the benefits and results obtained.