• Forum for executives to discuss key business issues
• Opportunity to learn from fellow contractors that have faced similar business challenges
• Sounding board for new ideas 
• Strong network of peers who embrace the merit shop philosophy 
• Business consultants who can serve as a corporate advisory panel
• Ability to have candid conversations about operational challenges and the need for cost savings, improved productivity and increased efficiencies

Suggested Ground Rules For Participation

• Peer group members should be a decision-making executive, shareholder of the company or owner of an active ABC member company.
• All members should sign a confidentiality agreement because information disclosed in the group needs to remain confidential. ABC National can supply a sample form if needed.
• For best results, face-to-face meetings are preferable.
• Participants need time and financial commitment to participate in a peer group. Members will travel to other members’ company offices and to other locations for meetings, and those costs will be shared.
• Members should be transparent and honest when sharing business information with other peer group members for the collective good of the group.
• Travel and meeting costs are typically the responsibility of peer group member companies.

Conceptually, How Do Peer Groups Operate?

• Understandably, groups evolve with time and with the number of meetings. What stays consistent is the need for commitment to your fellow members. Always be prepared to participate fully for the duration of the meeting.
• Groups may initially plan to meet two to three times per year depending on group member schedules. Initially, meetings are typically held at one member’s location to allow the group to understand how the member operates his or her business and to possibly meet other executives in the firm. During this forming time period, members really get to know one another both professionally and personally. Depending on how many are in the group, this may take several years to accomplish.
• ABC can provide facilities for peer group meetings in conjunction with ABC National meetings for a minimal charge. In some cases, when an agenda is short, groups may decide to meet by conference call or video call.
• Each member takes turns being hosting a meeting. The host is responsible for logistics, coordinating member accommodations and locations for the meeting. Once each member has hosted a meeting, different locations can be explored by each host in turn and coordinated with the rest of the group.
• The host creates the meeting agenda with input from the group. Topics may include financials, strategy, operations, marketing, technology or human resources—whatever the group wants to explore.
• In most cases, background materials, such as marketing plans or budgets, are required. Most groups share these materials electronically and in advance, but where printed materials are necessary, members must ship them to others in the peer group well before the meeting so everyone is prepared to discuss the content.
• All meeting locations should have easy access to Wi-Fi, printers, a projector and/or any other equipment needed for that meeting.
• Groups may consider using a facilitator for some meetings when appropriate. ABC National can offer suggestions and contacts but the group bears the cost of the facilitator’s fees.
• Social activities are another key aspect of developing personal relationships with members of your peer group. Examples include golf, hunting, sightseeing, an escape room, off-road excursions and dinners.

Peer Group Liaison

The peer group liaison plays an important leadership role and serves as the primary contact between ABC National and the other members of the group. The liaison is responsible for the following:

• Serving as primary contact for regular communication with ABC National staff, providing current contact information for all members
• Welcoming any new members to the group
• Sharing best practices developed from the group, as appropriate
• Serving as the access point for resources from ABC
• Enforcing the ABC membership requirement for group participation

Peer groups are a valuable benefit of ABC membership. ABC National provides resources to each group to ensure it has what it needs to operate efficiently. Those resources include:

• List of vetted speakers for peer group meetings
• Provide assistance with filling peer group vacancies
• Dedicated conference call line for peer groups
• LinkedIn group for peer group members only
• Complimentary meeting space at ABC National meetings and the National office
• Start-up assistance

Contact [email protected] for more information.