Resources / Peer Groups

Peer Groups

The Leader Development Group at the
annual site tour (AMLI SLU project).

Local Peer Groups

Leader Development Group
The Leader Development Group serves as a vehicle for members to get involved in ABC and participate in information sharing. It provides networking, educational and community enhancement opportunities for the current and future leaders of the construction industry and business-related fields. Contact Michelle Dallas if you'd like to join PDC.
Rising Star Program
ABC's Rising Star Program provides a focused track towards leadership within your company and ABC. It provides an educational track of leadership and management education seminars, geared towards preparing you for success. People may either be nominated by their companies for the Rising Star Program, or they can take the initiative and sign up on their own. Contact Michelle Dallas if you'd like more information.
Electrical Contractors Council
The Electrical Contractors Council is a group of electrical contractors that communicate via email providing resources, support and information to one another on an as needed basis. Contact Janessa Bishop if you'd like more information.

National Peer Groups

ABC’s peer groups offer like-minded business owners an environment conducive to sharing ideas and discussing business opportunities and challenges–all with the goal of improving their businesses.

Peer groups consist of six to ten ABC member companies within a trade or interest area and with similar annual revenues. Members in the same peer group do not operate in the same competitive market, which fosters trust and an open exchange of information.
PEER GROUP BENEFITS

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

How a Peer Group Works

Ground Rules for Participation

Peer group members must be an executive of an active ABC member company.
All members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement; information disclosed in the group is confidential.
Participation in face-to-face meetings and conference calls is required. Members who frequently miss meetings will be considered inactive and will be removed from the group.
Participants agree to time and financial commitment and may be asked to host a peer group meeting.
Member must be willing to be open and transparent with other peer group members for the collective good of the group.
All the travel and meeting costs are the responsibility of peer group members. ABC National can provide meeting space at national meetings.

HOW DOES A PEER GROUP OPERATE?

Peer groups meet periodically, including at least two face-to-face meetings per year. Frequently, meetings are held at members’ locations. ABC also can provide facilities for peer group meetings in conjunction with ABC National meetings. In some cases, groups meet by conference call, based on the needs and interests of the group.
An agenda is created for each meeting and the format can be determined by the group. Some groups have a rotating leader at each meeting and any member can suggest an agenda item for the meeting. Possible agenda topics include specific financial matters, employee/personnel matters, strategic planning and business operations.
In some instances, members will be asked to provide information prior to the meeting. For example, if an agenda topic is P&L, key financial data may be gathered prior to the meeting. Groups that hire a facilitator will likely provide this information directly to that individual. Although groups may not utilize a facilitator at every meeting, it may be useful when discussing certain items.
Successful peer groups have a strong foundation of personal relationships, in addition to providing a forum for idea exchange. Social activities may be scheduled at the face-to-face meetings to help foster the relationships, such as sight-seeing, golf or a dinner out as a group.

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:

Primary contact in regular communication with ABC National staff
Welcome new members to the group
Provide an updated contact list of all peer group members to ABC staff
Alert the ABC staff liaison when there is a change in the group
Share best practices developed from the group, as appropriate
Access point for resources from ABC
Enforce the ABC membership requirement for group participation

Resources Provided to Peer Groups

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 facilitators skilled in working with peer groups
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

More information about these resources can be found in the Peer Group Member Only section. Contact peergroups@abc.org for access to the Member Only section.

Join a Peer Group

GROUND RULES FOR PARTICIPATION

Peer group members must be an executive of an active ABC member company.
All members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement; information disclosed in the group is confidential.
Participation in face-to-face meetings and conference calls is required. Members who frequently miss meetings will be considered not active and will be removed from the group.
Participants agree to time and financial commitment and may be asked to host a peer group meeting.
Member must be willing to be open and transparent with other peer group members for the collective good of the group.
All the travel and meeting costs are the responsibility of peer group members. ABC National can provide meeting space at national meetings.

Complete a Profile form
Many factors are considered when being considered for a peer group including:

ABC membership required
Company type/trade
Geographic location (non-competing members)
Annual volume

Complete the online profile form. If you have questions, please contact peergroups@abc.org.