Peer Group FAQs

What inspired The Peer Alliance?

The Karofsky’s exposure to literally thousands of business families plus their own experience in designing, producing, facilitating more than 500 forums convinced them of the immeasurable benefits and inherent need for peer-to-peer learning in family enterprises.

What does membership include?

Membership in The Peer Alliance includes five full-day professionally facilitated meetings within your designated peer group – a consistent group of individuals allowing for growth and development over time.

What is the meeting format?

Forum groups comprised of 6-8 members meet five times per year for a full day and take the summer months off.

Are the meetings professionally facilitated?

Yes.  The Peer Alliance Forum facilitators are individually selected based on their understanding of the issues related specifically to family enterprises, their academic and professional qualifications and their facilitation skills and styles.  While you may wish to ask a facilitator to do some consulting work for you, you will not be solicited by the facilitator.

What is the meeting format?

Peer groups meet face-to-face from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (including continental breakfast and lunch).  While each group has the option of fine tuning the format to meet members’ desires, the day will typically include an update, an opportunity for members to identify key issues they wish to address, prioritizing those and then diving deep into these issues with your forum group to brainstorm strategies and solutions based on the group’s collective knowledge, skill and experience.

Where are the meetings held?

Meetings will be held at Framingham Country Club or at a member’s business.  The group facilitator will coordinate all logistics for the peer group.

Will there be competitors in my group?

In order to allow for optimum confidential sharing in a secure setting, competitor companies are separated into different peer groups.

What about confidentiality?

Each member is expected to commit to a bond of confidentiality affirming that what is said in the meeting stays in the meeting and is not shared with anyone else.  This represents a fundamental asset to the forum group experience that creates an environment for true sharing, brainstorming and growth.

Could my request for membership be rejected?

We wish to preserve an environment in which comfort, openness and sharing can be at its greatest level.  From time to time we are approached by people who wish to network and do business with business families.  If this is the primary goal of a potential member or if a prospect is not engaged in a family enterprise, then membership in The Peer Alliance may not be appropriate.

What is the investment?

There is a one-time $1,500 commitment fee and annual dues are $6,800.