The Family Business Alliance of Wilkes University and Penn State Worthington Scranton is offering a new program to help support family and closely held businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Family Business Support Initiative was created to build a network of family business owners who will meet in peer groups to offer support and share their experiences and knowledge.
Because family businesses are facing unique challenges at this time, the Family Business Alliance is offering businesses the opportunity to participate in the peer groups without becoming members of the alliance. There is no charge for participating.
“Peer groups are a great way to learn from others, by sharing stories and best practices,” says Susan Reilly, executive director of the Family Business Alliance.
Each peer group will have eight to ten members and will be led by a facilitator. Groups will be structured to include similar sized businesses but will not include businesses who are competitors offering similar products or services in the same group. The peer groups operate under a Safe Haven Agreement that ensures that all information shared in the groups remains confidential.
Two categories of groups are planned:
- The NowGen Peer Group program is for the individual who is running the family business and possibly looking to share best practices with other family business leaders.
- The NextGen Peer Group is a program for the next generation who aren’t yet running the family business but are actively involved in the business.
Meeting times and dates will be determined by group members. Groups usually meet once a month.
For more information about joining the NowGen and NextGen peer groups, please visit www.fballiance.org or contact Susan Reilly, executive director of the Family Business Alliance, at susan.reilly@wilkes.edu.
