As the year wraps up, it's natural to take stock of the year gone and the year ahead. It’s a time when business families pause to think about what's next, setting goals for both the business and themselves. It's also when the planning begins for the next financial year, mapping out budgets and priorities.
Maybe you're looking to grow, test a new idea, or finally tackle that succession plan that keeps getting pushed to the next quarter and beyond. Perhaps it's about getting clearer on governance, or navigating those tricky family conversations that affect the business. Whatever's on your list, strategic thinking makes all the difference. At Family Business Association (FBA), one of the powerful tools we offer to support this strategic process is our Forum Group program.
What is Forum Group?
Forum Group brings together family business leaders who meet regularly to share challenges, insights, and strategies in a confidential, small group setting. This isn't just networking, it's a structured environment for learning and growth. An independent facilitator attends all meetings, ensuring you get the most out of the session and that everyone feels heard and supported. "You're not going to know the benefits of joining until you give it a try," says Johanna Boland. The real power of Forum Group shows up in your strategic decision-making. Members often find themselves making critical calls based on the wisdom they've gained from their peers. Charlie Emery shares "When we were looking to move our headquarters and change the business's direction, it was the guidance and strategies I'd heard in Forum Group that gave me the confidence to convince my family it was the right move. Now we've grown from 10 people to 150." That's strategic planning in practice, drawing on the collective wisdom of peers who get what it's like to run a family business and have often experienced the same challenges and questions that arise within strategic planning.
The Value of Diverse Perspectives
What makes Forum Group unique is who's in the room. You'll find yourself alongside founders who've built their businesses from the ground up, as well as second, third or fourth-generation leaders who are navigating the nuances of running and working in a family business. These different perspectives and stages create something special, and everyone brings valuable experience, whether they've been in the family business for decades or just a few years.
This diversity isn't just nice to have, it's strategically valuable. Different generations and different stages mean you're getting insights from people who've already navigated what you're planning, or who can offer fresh perspectives on challenges you've been facing for years. "Being able to share experiences, learnings and consider opportunities in a confidential environment with others who have similar values is extremely helpful," says Matthew Stevens.
The Power of Honest Feedback
Forum Group members don't just offer support, they offer truth. And sometimes, that honest feedback is exactly what you need to make better strategic decisions.
"You must join a Forum Group," insists Angus Raine. "You think you have issues, but everyone in a Forum Group understands and has been through similar experiences. They tell you what you don't want to hear, which is why you should do it."
Forum Group creates a rare space where leaders can be honest and vulnerable, truly leaning on the group for support.
Where else can you discuss the challenges of having difficult conversations with family members, navigating succession planning, or convincing your parents about a major strategic shift? A unique part of working in a family business is that you're working with family and navigating those family relationships and dynamics while trying to make the best strategic decisions for the business can be difficult. Often, it's not an option to talk to family members about these difficulties because the issue may involve them directly. Being able to turn to your Forum Group, discuss it openly, and return to the situation with a new perspective and a plan can be extremely beneficial, not just to the individual but also to the business.
Ongoing support, beyond the Meetings
Forum Group doesn't end when the monthly meeting does. The support continues throughout your year, whenever you need it.
"It's not just meetings once a month," explains Kelly Scott. "It's on the emails asking, 'what would you do in this situation?' and you never feel alone. It's a room of expertise just there to help you." That ongoing support becomes part of your leadership toolkit. When you're facing a difficult decision, you have people to turn to who genuinely care and understand the stakes. Forum Group also extends beyond the monthly meetings with learning opportunities at Your Forum for Learning events, retreats with your Group, and FBA conferences.
The strategic decisions you make in the coming months will shape your business throughout the year. Forum Group ensures you're not making those decisions in isolation, you're making them with the wisdom and support of people who've been there before.
Interested in joining a Forum Group? Begin the process by completing our application form. All information collected is confidential.
