The Concept

Successful executives learn from their peers and their successes. Executive roundtables provide a forum for consulting with peers in a non-competitive and non-risk environment. In executive roundtables, small groups of peer executives develop a deep level of trust that fosters learning and exchange. Creating an environment for candid discussions with support and follow-through rarely occurs spontaneously or at industry conferences in large groups or with competitors. The Qm² industry roundtables have been developed from Will Phillips' twenty-five year history with TEC, The Executive Committee, roundtables in mixed industries. Qm² now operates one dozen roundtables.

The Fundamentals

The fundamentals are simple:

1. No competitors.
2. Open, honest discussions.
3. Focus on real issues of mutual interest.
4. Seek transformational learning-issues, organization, self.

Learning can and does take place at professional conferences, but analysis of two dozen association conventions shows over 95% of the topics are first agenda items. Informal peer interactions may go deeper, yet may be so infrequent that deep trust is not built which is necessary to get to the last 5% of the conversation where the real issue and its solution often lie. Real, committed change requires the transformational learning that occurs in an environment that fosters no risk (no competitors), honest exchange (being honest with each other and with oneself), and committed support (an ongoing relationship with a core group).

The Logistics

A small group of peers (same industry, same position) commit to a one-year program of three off-site meetings, monthly telephone conferences, and mutual support and exchange. Our experience shows that these groups continue for many years. Each participant pays an annual subscription fee, his or her own travel expenses and share the cost of the meetings including meeting rooms and meals. The group decides upon meeting dates, times and locations. One schedule is to begin at 11:00 am on the first day, allowing same-day travel for most and concluding at 3:00 pm on the second day. A group dinner is included the first day. Social activities, such as golf or entertainment, are occassionally arranged by the participants outside of the meeting time. Another option is a longer meeting with two full days of interaction.

Meetings are intensive learning experiences. Regular attendance is crucial. The ground rules for roundtable meetings are:

• Attend and participate
• Take responsibility for the meeting (conduct and content)
• Be honest and respectful in everything
• Absolute confidentiality

The chair brings fresh input to each meeting, presenting concepts, tools and ideas to help you achieve your professional and personal goals. The chair will challenge and stimulate your thinking by bringing perspectives from other industries to your learning.

The Outcome

The best testimony to the success of our roundtables is the continued participation of members, year after year. Many roundtables have been together for more than 12 years. We have also conducted surveys that reflect growth in the three agendas, especially in the "deeper" regions of the third agenda.

Roundtables have adopted studies and projects, such as benchmarking projects where performance is compared across members to highlight best practices and share them. Participants apply the learning and models to their organizations. Typical outcomes from roundtable meetings and initiatives include:

• Specific methods to enhance revenues
• Specific tools for cutting expenses
• Assessment and development of operating policies
• Developing and running a professional sales system
• Sharing recent marketing campaigns, costs and results
• Streamlining organizational structures
• Great ideas for managing people, situations and challenges
• Tools for managing one's time, stresses and competing demands
• Discussion of current books

What Participants Have to Say

Roundtable participants have made their roundtable a priority on their calendars. Busy executives find ways of fitting the sessions into their calendars year after year. This is our highest praise. Read specific comments from roundtable members.

What Next

Contact Qm² and connect with Will Phillips or Wendy Loftin to see if we have a roundtable that is a fit for you. If so, you will be invited to visit an actual meeting with no commitment to join. After that initial visit, it is generally quite clear if joining the roundtable makes sense for you.

If there is currently no roundtable that matches your industry, Qm² will consider launching one. This is how every one of our roundtables is born.