Testimonials
“No one wants to miss a meeting. I have made decisions resulting in the growth of my company because the group asks the right, probing questions. Unlike a board of advisors or directors, which some of us have, CEOs relate to similar experiences and responsibilities. Each company has grown significantly during their time in this forum”.
Jerry Goldberg, CEO JGE Enterprises
Member since 2001
Featured entrepreneur in the Boston Business Journal
“The Board Forum is an invaluable tool for success. With confidentiality and honesty paramount, chief executives are able to share advice, conflicts and discuss business situations openly among each other in complete confidentiality with CEO level peers. One of the greatest strengths is the accountability that we have with one another”.
Steve Certa, CEO WatchAll, Inc.
Member since 2001
Steve has been a featured entrepreneur in the Boston Business Journal
“When I describe challenges in my business, my experienced peers come up with smart creative solutions. They have no vested interest other than wanting what’s best. It’s completely honest.”
Marylou Sandry, CEO Marylou’s Coffee
Member since 1999
Featured entrepreneur in the Boston Business Journal
“The Board Forum is a way to look at something with no preconceived notions as to how things should be done, even if I like to think I'm right. I get a broader, wider perspective than I would if I were to meet as part of a manufacturers' group”.
Skip Sullivan, CEO Electro-Prep Inc
Member since 2003
“What makes The Board Forum so unusual is that through it all - the good the bad and the ugly - we have stood together- acting as pillars of support to one another. I have left meetings with my heart still pounding . It gives us the opportunity to explore all aspects of success - because success is not always what fills our pockets - that's only a fringe benefit.”
Lynne Davis, CEO Industrial Heat Treating
Member since 2000
Lynne has been featured in trade magazines.
“The idea that a group of CEOs regularly get together and do both strategic long-range planning and solicit objective opinions from other successful business leaders has been a great place for me to be. For me the group is part networking and part problem solving. Even if you have a Board of Directors, it is different when you are with other chief executives who own their companies AND care about each other's business. It's a tight-knit group where people ‘get it”.
Jim Bailey, CEO JB Livery
“Having a confidential and stimulating atmosphere to discuss problems and opportunities with peers has made a major difference for me in managing the growth of my company.”
Charlene Mastromatteo, CEO
“The ‘accountability factor’ is the key value of the Board Forum. One of its greatest strengths is the accountability that we have with one another. I know that if an issue comes up for discussion and I get advice the other members will hold me accountable at the next meeting. In a non-threatening manner the members will want to know why I haven’t followed through on the issue. With confidentiality and honesty business owners are able to share advice, conflicts and discuss business situations. Laurie Kirk is extremely skilled in running the group; she plays a very important role facilitating the group discussion and brings great value to the process.”
Steve Certa, CEO WatchAll, Inc.
“We discuss broad issues that affect everyone, and more specific problems in depth, all the time knowing everything we say is confidential; in this way you can have a truly open and honest discussion. What results out of these discussions are solutions or potential solutions you can immediately put into practice. It’s better to hear from people who are in different types of businesses than yours because it opens you up to ideas your own industry peers might not have seen. I love to learn new things and when you can learn something new and apply it to your business, that’s a double win. I can’t say enough about Laurie’s strengths as a facilitator.”
Rick Carlson, President of Cape Cod Printing
“It’s all about change and adapting and I have realized, after being part of Laurie’s forum, that planning is vital to achieving business goals. In the past, there was always a crisis, but this year I had a plan – I had people in place who knew how to handle any situation that might come up in my absence. What is important is to back up others’ decisions even though those decisions might not be ones I would have made – but that’s all part of realizing you can’t do it all.”
Pat Desmond, publisher of The Milton Times
“I have learned from my peers in the Board Forum that every business has many of the same challenges. It is especially helpful to be with many different business owners because you learn how others work; it is a springboard for creative types of thinking. And because of members’ diverse contacts, they are able to network you to people or services you may need. Participating in The Board Forum has been beneficial to me in so many ways and Laurie Kirk is a remarkable facilitator.”
Joan Leanos, owner of The Olde Hitching Post Restaurant and Tavern
“My facilitators played a significant role in the excellent year our company just had. Before I joined The Board Forum, we projected 5% growth in 2008; yet as a result of my facilitators and peers, we accomplished over 12% growth in 2008. The help and guidance on issues related to Human Capital from facilitator Bob Kustka contributed to my evolving philosophy about leadership. The people in my company would not have accomplished this much without being engaged in the process and believing they are relevant on all levels. His input and consultation through hiring practices, competency development and personal mentoring have helped to make this all happen ...and for that I am very grateful.”
Michael McMahon, President Hill & Partners, Inc.
“The sharing of resources has been one of the greatest benefits of belonging to the Board Forum. It is a great shortcut and quick education when the group offers the benefit of their experience and contacts. You really reap the benefit of a variety of experiences, strengths and knowledge. Being a member allows me to tap into strong sales, service, financial or engineering perspectives. In addition, you can learn a lot from the successes and failures of the members and the forum offers me the ability to use the hard won knowledge of other members as a bench mark to launch my own initiative.
What Laurie brings to the Board is invaluable. You see her working with people a lot when we are sharing action plans. She will invite us to explore how the execution of theses activities will work and what position it will put us in for tomorrow. People spend time looking at solving today’s issues and need to consider the effect of the plans on tomorrow and how it positions them for the future. Laurie understands this and leads the board members to focus.”
Kathy Newhall, CEO Holiday Hang Ups
“Focus is a large theme in Board Forum sessions. Entrepreneurs are notorious for going in many directions at once, but The Board Forum sessions keep us on track and we learn how to deal with one situation at a time.”
Maggie Melanson, CEO Gimme the Skinny
“My second Meeting… a member’s discussion gave me the idea of creating a continuing ed presentation; another member’s discussion played into my ideas of turning my 20,000 customers into clients; another member’s discussion opened my ears to possible ways I could give my partner a stake without losing control; another member’s reasoning of employees and reviews gave real world feel to the ongoing work one of our facilitators is doing with me; and another member’s comments made me think about ways to open doors with companies as joint ventures. The fact that everyone jumps on each other’s issues stands out much more clearly now than when I walked in there this morning.”
Brian Garity, CEO Garity Associates Brokerage Insurance Agency, Inc.
“The Board Forum has given me the greatest tool to manage and grow my business I have ever experienced - a group of concerned and friendly peers who are facing the same issues every day and are willing to share their advice and experience. Coupled with the skilled facilitators, my first meeting in this Roundtable immediately helped me clarify and address key business issues”
Brian Garity, President
Member since 2008
“The Board Forum facilitators are gifted in their ability to draw information from us and provide us with context and innovative concepts consistently. My business resulted in growth and a clear strategic direction immediately.”
Bill Noonan, CEO Contravisory Investment Management
Member since 2007
featured on CNBC
“Sometimes I receive twelve different ideas and perspectives, and sometimes I have twelve peers and facilitators saying the same thing. It is innovative, thought provoking, powerful and practical. As long as I run a company I won’t give this up.”
Claire Herlihy, CEO
Member since 1999
“The facilitator’s insights cut through to the heart of situations with clarity and resolve.”
Peg Feodoroff, CEO
Member since 1999
Featured in Oprah Magazine
“I have been part of The Board Forum for eight years. It has made me and my business much more successful by continuously focusing on both the bottom line and thinking strategically. I have become a business leader.”
Maggie Melanson, CEO & Author
Member since 1999
Featured on Channel 4, Channel 5, Fox News
