FBA’s Forum Group Program has been a cornerstone of FBA for 25 years, bringing together like-minded peers in the family business community for collective learning, growth and support, both in their business and in their personal lives.
One of FBA’s longest running Forum Groups (FG3), recently celebrated 20 years together at a special retreat in Noosa, Queensland.
David Williams, FG3’s long time Forum Facilitator and Family Business Accredited Advisor, gave the members of his group the chance to reflect on their time together and the lessons learned, with some reflecting on their very first meeting all those years ago.
From solving complex family business problems to forming lifelong bonds, it is clear the Forum Group Program and its members have had a positive impact on each of their businesses and their lives.
Congratulations FG3 on 20 years of support, learning and growth together!
What do you remember about your first Forum Group 3 (FG3) meeting or retreat?
“The first meeting, one member discussed a very pressing issue. We discussed and workshopped with ideas from all members. By the end, a rough plan was forged with a direction going forward. I guess then and there, I understood the power of the group and how it would help me in future and how it is still helping me today.”
“The first FBA forum meeting seems like yesterday; going into that meeting I felt that I didn't have anyone in my camp, but I walked out with true unbiased support. I still pull out my, 'How to build Trust' diagram, I still write out my 'SMART' objectives, and I've got friends and lasting connections that I would have never normally had contact with, bound together by family business.”
“The first time I met everyone – there was a good feeling being around like-minded people.”
“Our first retreat. We barely knew each other, and on the first night we had to reveal something about ourselves, something personal, something lifechanging. We didn’t have time to prepare this, and it did make me feel quite vulnerable. Listening to each member revealing personal details was uplifting, emotional and honest. Everyone dug deep and delivered their most authentic stories.”
“Everyone in the group had to present something meaningful or unique in their own life, from deeply personal struggles of how they fit into family/society. I was amazed how people could feel free to open up to, at the time strangers, but set an environment where people were allowed to talk thru very personal struggles, setbacks, triumphs and happiness.”
What is your favourite memory of being part of your FBA Forum Group?
“With uncertainty left, right and centre, finding this great group of people to share the great and bad times with.”
“Being at my lowest and being fearful of the future. Having real people around at a time most needed and knowing they are there.”
“The collegiality and personal friendships that come out of being in the group collectively is something very special. The trust with some very deeply personal issues and information that’s shared in the group it’s kind of a collective memory the ‘think tank’ that the group is sometimes just a sounding board, for many things that you are dealing with in your business and personal life.”
“We're part of a dysfunctional group of people, called family; and as we try to protect our family and our livelihood we don't look after ourselves - speaking confidentially with people who are not in our normal circle of friends, we get a chance to balance the scales, do the best we can to build our business but deal with the doubts in our head.”
“I made some really good long-lasting friendships that still exist today.”
“FG3 took me on when I was nearly a broken individual and remade me into a successful businessman AND a happy family man.”
“I would particularly like to thank the group for their support through the four bleak years. Most importantly I appreciated the group being concerned about my welfare and providing great support.”
“Leaving at the end of every monthly catch up feeling so much lighter, the weight had been lifted from my shoulders.”
“Being able to download what’s in my mind with a group of people who have similar values and will give me their honest opinion and ideas.”
“I loved the retreats. I always got so much out of going away with the group. I also love the friendships I have formed.”
“We have laughed, we have cried, but most of all we have created lifelong friendships – Happy 20 years FG3.”
“The "journey": meeting an inspiring group of people that have listened, hopefully understood and provided some amazing advice and support over the years.”
What is that one key learning gained that you still reflect on?
“While we’re all on our own journey, the path is often so similar, and there is so much to be learnt from other people’s experiences.”
“No matter the size of the business or the turnover or the asset value of the member, everyone had the same stuff with their families – it wasn’t unique or our fault.”
“It took me a long time to talk about me personally and open up about myself. I stopped being defensive and learnt to accept the questions, process it and reply.”
“To keep on remembering, ‘Don’t be Fearful be Fearless’.”
“Strategy determines structure.”
“There are always three options to a situation.”
“No matter how big or small your business is, we all experience the same or similar issues. It was truly eye opening to hear other challenges and experiences in the group which reflected mine.”
“Don’t try to be perfect.”
“To ‘shut down all emailing’ and ‘take control of the narrative’ … that was GOLD😊”
“Power of 3. 3 key things learned, 3 key take aways. I often use this, particularly when summarising or giving feedback.”
“When the group asked me to write down 20 things I’d learnt and would take away with me from my time at the Department of Education. I didn’t just write 10 or 20 things. I think I wrote about 50. I hadn’t realised how much I was taking away with me from my previous experience.”
Forum Group Program
Forum Groups offer a supportive and confidential space to navigate challenges, raise tough issues and talk them through, workshop ideas or issues, and celebrate successes. Led by an accredited family business facilitator, the Forum Program is your unique opportunity to seek counsel, learn from other’s experience, and share your own learnings.
Harness the knowledge of a community that truly understands.
If you would like to have a confidential discussion about joining our Forum Group Program, please reach out to Olivia Spalding, Forum Group Manager at 03 9123 4412.
