Axelbank Executive Roundtables

Axelbank Executive Roundtables bring together leaders from non-competing businesses to create a community of peers.  Most Chief Executives crave a space where they can talk about things that can't be talked about elsewhere - we create such a space by developing psychological safety.  This is ensured by the unique structure of Axelbank Executive Roundtables, and the psychology background of the facilitator.  The members of the group are carefully screened, and the activities and topics discussed are determined by group members.  By joining an Axelbank Executive Roundtable, you gain an expert advisory panel to rely on for helpful and supportive feedback, developing relationships that endure for the long-term, and reap real financial and personal benefits.

What happens at Roundtable meetings?

The activities in Roundtable meetings are focused on interaction and sharing among Roundtable group members.  

We may go on-site to the location of one member's business.  This creates a chance for that member to get invaluable feedback from the other members, and a rich basis for discussion of all the members' businesses.

Members present challenges that they face - in their business, in their personal life as it is affecting their business, or in their work/life balance.  These can then be discussed productively in a structured format using, for example, role-plays, fishbowl groups, one-on-one coaching, breakout groups, etc.

Members may present detailed plans they have developed for their businesses, and get feedback from the other Roundtable members.  

Members may identify particular topics that are relevant to their business situations, and the facilitator can present on the topics so chosen, or invite an expert to address the Roundtable.

All Roundtable meetings also allow for social and networking time, during meals and evening leisure time.  The group may also decide to schedule some purely recreational activities.  These can be important components in building a cohesive group!  Even in the Roundtable, we need to have a healthy work/life balance!

What is the screening process for new members?

It is important to a successful Roundtable for members to be a good fit.  Axelbank Executive Roundtables are not for everyone!  There will be an initial meeting with the Facilitator to explain the model, its benefits, and what is involved.

First, care is taken to ensure that there is no competitive relationship between Roundtable members, or complicated prior relationships.  Second, all prospective members have a series of interviews with the facilitator.  The screening process also includes taking an individual evaluation test such as the Hogan Assessment.  If a prospective member has recently done such an assessment, that can be substituted.  These not only ensure that members will benefit from and fit with the group, but also identify specific goals that the participant has for themselves, their team, and their firm from their participation in the Roundtable.  

Efforts are made to strive for demographic diversity around gender, race, ethnicity, etc.  It is a core value of Axelbank Executive Roundtables that diverse members provide invaluable input to one another, greatly increasing the value of Roundtable membership.  Eliminating blind spots saves money for businesses!

Before joining a Roundtable group, the prospective member agrees to terms of participation.  Establishing in advance the norms for behavior in the group is essential in creating a safe space for the Roundtable to provide value for its members.  

What is the schedule of the Roundtable meetings?

Axelbank Executive Roundtables meet for three days (two overnights) three times each year.  The schedule is set by the group well in advance, ensuring maximum attendance and participation.  The venues for meetings are likewise determined by the group, coordinated with site visits to members' businesses.  By meeting for three days, all members have a chance for deep interactions and feedback, avoiding the frustration of running out of time.  Members find that meeting three times per year is more doable than monthly meetings, and this also minimizes the need to skip sessions.

In between meetings, the Facilitator is available for phone or virtual consultation, and members also find their fellow Roundtable colleagues are valuable resources.  Group members form subgroups of three that can arrange regular virtual check-ins in between Roundtable meetings to help with follow-through and accountability on decisions for action made at the Roundtable meetings.  These triads are reshuffled each year, so that Roundtable members get to know all the others more deeply.

What makes Axelbank Executive Roundtables unique?

• There is no middleman - this is not a franchise, or part of a larger corporation. This keeps costs down and control with the members of the group.
• The focus in Axelbank Executive Roundtables is on building relationships in the group, not on providing a platform for outside experts. We believe that the real value of a Roundtable is in the relationships between its members. Sharing YOUR expertise and reaping the wisdom from the experience of other group members is ultimately more valuable than presentations from experts.
• Meeting for three days is different from other Roundtable models. We believe that more time allows for deeper conversations and connections. "Sleeping on it" often leads to brilliant follow-up the next day.
• Meeting three times per year is different from other Roundtable models. When groups meet more often, say monthly, it is inevitable that members will miss more often. This breaks the continuity of the relationships and Roundtable process. Meeting three times per year is doable for most leaders, something to which they can commit.
• Axelbank Executive Roundtables are facilitated by a psychologist. Jeff has over thirty years of experience running groups of all types, and extensive expertise in human relations. This background can give you the confidence that the Roundtable space will be a safe space to have the right conversations.

What's the cost?

Axelbank Executive Roundtables is a subscription arrangement.  The cost is $1,000 per month.  Roundtable members are responsible for their own travel expenses (transportation to the site, lodging, food, recreation), and an equal share of the facilitator's travel expenses.  There is an initiation fee of $5000 which covers the screening interviews, and a Hogan Assessment.

A Special Executive Roundtable for Family Business Leaders

While family businesses drive the American economy (80-90% of all North American businesses are family owned), they also present unique challenges. Yet other Roundtable providers do not meet those special needs.  Axelbank Executive Roundtables is pleased to announce the launching of a new Roundtable group geared specifically to leaders of Family Businesses.  

Along with the advantages of our model described above, this group will attend to the distinct challenges faced by Family Business leaders.  Issues such as succession planning, intergenerational and sibling conflict, relations with non-family business partners and employees, will have ample attention.  We believe that the format of Axelbank Executive Roundtables is uniquely matched to these dilemmas.

As a psychologist, Jeff is uniquely qualified to help untangle the web of family and business relationships in family enterprises. His expertise in working with families provides added value in my role as Roundtable Facilitator.

Special Introductory Trial

As this is a newly forming Roundtable, there will be a one-day trial Roundtable meeting, at no cost to the participants (other than individual travel and meal expenses, and share of venue cost), after which those wishing to continue can enter the initiation process.  In addition, as this is a new group, the members will help co-create its logistics and goals.