.

The Growth and Development Forum is a local monthly meeting with each forum consisting of 10-12 business owners, leaders, or entrepreneurs (Forum Members), each from a different industry in the SME business community.  Led by an experienced and knowledgeable facilitator (Forum Leader), these Growth and Development Forums meet monthly in a face-2-face or online setting with the objective of empowering each Member to take their business from ‘just getting by’ to ‘truly outstanding’.
This transformation is achieved by working through specific planned growth initiatives, alternative operational strategies, personal and professional development programmes, and other forward-looking actions.

.

.

Loading...

.

.

.
EXPERIENTIAL AND PARTICIPATORY LEARNING

Every Forum Member benefits from the cumulative expertise and wisdom of their peers. They acquire firsthand knowledge of how others have tackled similar challenges and opportunities, learning of successful strategies alongside those that have proven less effective.
After defining specific personal, professional, and business goals the Growth and Development Forum provides each business owner, leader, or entrepreneur with the time and space in a confidential environment to discuss real business challenges, rather than using networking situations in a more course-like format.

.
MINDSET TRANSFORMATIONS

The agenda and format of the Growth and Development Forums ensure that each Member has the opportunity to explain their specific challenges and opportunities and to examine those same challenges and opportunities from varying perspectives, as they respond to questions from the Forum Leader or the members of their Forum.
Rather than being accountable just to themselves, each Member feels far more accountable by having defined, set, and worked through their tasks or actions, one step at a time, until they have successfully achieved the goal or goals set during this process. This accountability is in response to the interest and support given by the Forum Leader and each member of their Forum.

.

.

.

RELATIONSHIPS

Often Forum Members do not have the benefit of an independent ‘sounding board’ and every person in these Forums should be assured that they are meeting in a confidential and truly non-judgemental environment, such that they can ask any question, they can raise any point or make any statement and challenge anything that is said by either their fellow members or the Forum Leader.

.

AGENDA

The Forum is a monthly face-2-face or online Board Room style meeting that helps all sizes of business to grow through confidential, collaborative, and open meetings with dedicated time to focus on their business growth and development through holding open discussions with like-minded people. The participating Member defines and achieves their personal, professional, and business goal or goals. In additional they focus on all elements of a business that generates revenue, that monitors and interprets expenses, and that helps in promoting their product(s) and/or service(s).
08.30am – 09.15 am:
Registration, coffee/tea, informal networking, and the Forum Leader welcome.
09.15am – 10.00am:
Experiential and Participatory Learning presentation.
10.00 am – 12.15pm:
Optimal Goal Achievement Session including time for refreshments, informal and formal networking.
12.15pm
Forum Leader brings the meeting to a close.
These Growth and Development Forums will be held on the same day of a specific week in the month, at the same time, and in the same location. Everything on the agenda, in the conversations, in the discussions, and the information shared is confidential: in other words, what is discussed in the Forum remains in the Forum meeting.

ELIGIBILITY

These ABL Growth and Development Forums are targeted at companies which meet the M(icro) or S(mall) in the UK’s SME definition. This does not mean M(edium) sized companies are excluded.
  • Start-up’s
  • Sole-trader or Partnerships or Limited Company
  • Businesses without or with employees
  • Any level of revenue
  • Any length of time in business
  • Ambition to take their business from ‘just getting by’ to ‘truly outstanding’.

.

.

.

.

MAKING YOUR PARTICIPATION A SUCCESS!

This programme offers an exciting opportunity for business owners, leaders, or entrepreneurs to take their business to another level, to enhance their professional skills and to boost productivity within their own industry.
Each Growth and Development Forum operates on an Experiential and Participatory Learning approach, releasing blocks, overcoming challenges, and leveraging on the collective wisdom and experience of other members of their Forum to achieve tangible benefits.
This programme is not a formal training programme. It is designed to focus on each Member’s goal or goals and through the experience and knowledge of the Forum Leader and the shared experiences and knowledge of the other members in the Forum, provides the Member with the opportunity for personal and professional development.
Members are expected to:
  • Maintain confidentiality and a non-judgemental approach.
  • Work together as a cohesive unit to the benefit of each business represented.
  • Attend every Forum meeting. It is acknowledged that occasionally a Member may not be able to attend for personal reasons.
  • Commit to the ABL process, and the progress of each business represented.
  • Contribute within the Forum meeting, speaking openly, positively, honestly, and asking questions when unsure.
  • Fully participate in each Forum meeting.
  • Give their full attention to the proceedings, not be side-tracked by outside distractions such as email, text messages, and voice mails.
  • Raise points of interest for future meeting Experiential and Participatory Learning presentations.
  • Immediately notify the Forum Leader of any conflicts of interest.
  • Agree to fulfil their own commitments to themselves, as part of their task or action setting in the Optimal Goal Achievement session.
  • Reflect upon each meeting and provide feedback at the beginning of the next meeting.
  • Adhere to and respect the Forum’s agenda, ground rules, and uphold confidentiality.

BENEFITS

Business owners, leaders, or entrepreneurs can benefit from joining a Growth and Development Forum for several reasons:

Time and space to focus on their own personal, professional, and business goal or goal(s).

Working with like-minded business owners, leaders, or entrepreneurs as a cohesive unit to the benefit of each business represented.

Growth and Development Forums provide a platform for professionals to network with others who are facing similar challenges or have complementary skills and experiences.

Building a strong network can lead to valuable collaborations, partnerships, and business opportunities.

By engaging with peers from various industries, backgrounds, and levels of experience, participants can gain access to diverse perspectives and insights.

This exposure can help broaden their understanding of different business strategies, market trends, and problem-solving approaches.

Growth and Development Forums offer a unique environment for peer learning and mentoring.

Members can share their knowledge, experiences, successes, and failures, allowing others to learn from real-world examples and gain practical advice from those who have been through similar situations.

Being part of a Growth and Development Forum provides accountability and support, which can be instrumental in staying focused on goals and overcoming obstacles.

Members can hold each other accountable for progress, offer encouragement during challenging times, and celebrate achievements together.

Participation in Growth and Development Forums can contribute to ongoing professional development.

Members have the opportunity to learn new skills, stay updated on industry trends, and receive feedback on their ideas and strategies, ultimately helping them grow as leaders and entrepreneurs.

Growth and Development Forums operate under confidentiality agreements, creating a safe space where members can openly discuss sensitive topics, share confidential information, and seek advice without fear of judgment or competition.

This environment fosters trust and encourages honest communication among participants.

Through their connections within the forum, members may gain access to valuable resources, such as funding sources, professional services, or specialised expertise.

Additionally, Growth and Development Forums may provide exclusive opportunities for members, such as workshops, seminars, or industry events.

Running a business or leading a team can be isolating at times, and being part of a Growth and Development Forum offers a sense of camaraderie and belonging.

Members can relate to each other’s experiences, share their triumphs and challenges, and provide emotional support during both professional and personal struggles.

.
Overall, joining a Growth and Development Forum can be a strategic investment for business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to enhance their professional network, gain valuable insights, and accelerate their personal and professional growth.

.

FEELING LONELY AT THE TOP?

Don’t know all the answers?

.

.

.

.

Currently, all information provided by and correspondence with ABL is in English.