What is BOAB?
One of Commerce Lexington’s most effective business assistance efforts is the Business Owners Advisory Board (formerly Business Advisory Groups). These groups allow member business owners to share similar challenges, strategies, and best practices in a confidential, non-competitive environment.
Each group is made up of not more than eight members with similar interests and concerns, but who are NOT in direct competition with each other. There is NO CHARGE to participate in this program, which is open only to Commerce Lexington members. Groups meet on a monthly basis for 2-3 hours per meeting, and each group sets its own meeting dates, times, and location.
Faciliator’s Role
Since I have learned so much over the years as a BOAB member of the Blue Group, I was motivated to become facilitator when our group’s facilitator stepped down. Joel DiGirolamo had set such a great example to provide the group a structure of learning and sharing with quality guest speakers, engaging and pertinent topics to discuss, as well as useful feedback for each of the members. I hope to fill his shoes to the best of my ability. With a new group of members, a new meeting format and new guidelines, we had a first successful meeting on June 26th. We had a great introduction to each of the new members, as well as a sharing of thoughts of what they hope to gain from joining the group.
When working with small business owners that just get it – the advantages of partnership and networking in your community, I am inspired as a facilitator and a fellow entrepreneur. Our next meeting is on July 24th where our topic will be “Advertising on a Limited (or no) Budget” presented by one of our new members. I am looking forward to this discussion that any small business owner can relate to and benefit from.
Sharing & Support
The BOAB’s mission statement states: “The purpose of a Business Advisory group is to provide its participants with a ‘Board of Advisors’ to solve problems and promote the participants’ success through the sharing of experience and knowledge.”
Any Small Business Owner understand the need for find resources to help manage and organize the many hats we are forced to wear each day. With budgeting, accounting, marketing, human resources, time-management, branding & reputation management, search engine optimization, social media marketing, inventory management, and so on, business owners are inundated with a never-ending to-do list.
Groups like BOAB provide a free, open and confidential place to support fellow local business owners, where sharing and receiving go hand in hand. Check the Commerce Lexington’s website for the next enrollment event: www.commercelexington.com
