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Joining
a Roundtable Group provides a vehicle that encourages members to work on
their businesses not just in
them.
Roundtable
Groups provide not only an open forum for
the exchange of ideas, but also a vehicle
that provides accountability to each member of the group that you join.
In effect,
the group becomes its own board of directors.
That by itself may be one of the biggest benefits to joining a group. An
investment of both time and money is required to be part of a group. Group
members find that through improved performance, the cost to benefit ratio of joining a group makes it one
of the best investments that they will ever make in
their
businesses.
JRM possesses the credibility, integrity,
infrastructure, experience in group facilitation, and a powerful team of
professional industry veteran staff members unparalleled in the retail
industry.
Contact
JRM about joining an existing group or chartering a new group today! |
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HISTORY OF GROUPS
“Twenty
Groups” originated in the mid-twentieth century in the automotive industry.
Groups of approximately 20 dealers from non-competing markets
geographically separated, met three to four times per year for the main
purpose of comparing financial information. Through the establishing of
benchmarks, measuring performance, assisting each other with issues, sharing
of best practices, dealership critiques, etc., members found that their
individual organizations' performance improved dramatically . Today, it is
rare to find a dealer in that industry that does not belong to a “Twenty
Group.”
These
days, the list of the types of businesses that use this “group” format is
extensive. The most successful groups are facilitated by respected veterans
within their particular industry.
Types of businesses include:
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Car Rental Agencies
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Heavy Duty Truck Franchised Dealership Operations
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Independent Automotive Centers
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Restaurants
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Telecommunications Dealers
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Quick Lube Centers
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Motorcycle Dealerships
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Printing Centers
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GROUPS AND THE
INDEPENDENT RETAILER
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In our
industry, we have not historically been willing to share information. There
are dramatic exceptions. Some of today’s most successful retailers have openly shared information thus creating
environments that encouraged others to share information with them. Rather
than reinventing the wheel, this has allowed them to emulate the success of
others and dramatically speed up their growth and success.
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GROUP CONCEPTS
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Roundtable Groups are
comprised of peers within the industry from non-competing marketplaces,
helping each other to improve performance in all areas of their
businesses.
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Groups
function in an environment of total confidentiality, and sign by-laws to
ensure that confidentiality
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Experienced industry veterans professionally facilitate meetings. JRM
provides these industry experts.
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Group
members hold each other accountable for implementing action items and
changes to which they commit during the meetings.
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Group
members serve as a support group and sounding board for members to gain
feedback on major issues under consideration.
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Groups
consist of members that enjoy each other’s company and in an environment
where a high level of trust and confidence exists.
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In
addition to owners groups, groups are formed for sales managers,
operations managers, etc.
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GROUP FORMAT
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Depending on the
particular group, each group meets anywhere from one to three times per year.
Meetings are usually held in cities where members’ operations are
located. |
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Members share their
best practices. |
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Member company
critiques are facilitated with companies that desire to be critiqued. |
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As
requested by members, tours of non-member operations are arranged. |
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On occasion, as
requested by members, guest speakers will be invited to the meetings. |
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Potential members
are invited to participate in many of the meeting activities excluding
financial composite review and discussions. Members will vote on the
acceptance of any new member. Potential members will sign strict
confidentiality statements. |
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Meeting agendas,
forms, minutes, and reports are produced by JRM. |
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The groups share
financial information that is produced in a financial composite by JRM.
The financial composite format necessitates the transfer of information
into a common chart of accounts. Utilizing a common chart of
accounts gives group members the ability to appropriately compare all
aspects of their members’ businesses. JRM transfers the
information for its members. |
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