Affinity Groups
The Walsh Business Leadership Institute provides educational programs to increase the success and sustainability of small and family businesses. Members and sponsors learn from one another in Affinity Groups, from experts in Hot Topics Workshops and from role models at Michigan Business Success Story events.
The Walsh Business Leadership Institute provides educational programs to increase the success and sustainability of small and family businesses. Members and sponsors learn from one another in Affinity Groups, from experts in Hot Topics Workshops and from role models at Michigan Business Success Story events.
There is a special learning and experience-sharing opportunity through the Business Leadership Institute Affinity Groups. These groups offer a confidential forum to share information and discuss solutions to problems with business peers. More information on becoming a member.
April 2010 Affinity Group Meetings
For-Profit CFOs and Controllers
First Wednesday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m.
Troy Campus
Chief financial officers and controllers of private Michigan companies meet monthly to discuss common issues, taxes, budgeting, and other concerns in a non-competitive, confidential small forum. Speakers are invited to present special topics on occasion.
Sales & Marketing Professionals
Second Monday each month, 12:00 p.m.
Troy Campus
Sales and marketing professionals from different businesses meet monthly to discuss careers, techniques, inter-office communication and competition issues along with tips and tools of the trade!
Owners and Managers
Second Wednesday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m.
Novi Campus
This group includes those who have owned a business for many years and are concerned about growth, costs of doing business, succession, work/life balance, and other topics as determined by members.
HR Professionals
Troy meets the fourth Friday of the month, 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Novi meets the second Thursday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m.
HR directors and HR professionals are welcome to attend these monthly sessions where substantive updates are provided and all members share common issues of concern, solutions, and resources.
Consultants Affinity Group
Second Thursday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m.
Novi Campus
Individuals offering their expertise to help businesses grow. Group members discuss common issues in a non-competitive roundtable.
Females in the Family Business
Fourth Thursday each month, 8-9:30 a.m.
Troy Campus
Women who own, are partners in, or work for family businesses meet to discuss common issues and share solutions in a non-threatening, non-competitive, non-sales roundtable.
Next Generation
Last Friday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m.
DKSS Offices Troy
Those next in line for the family business or small enterprise meet monthly to discuss the legal and personal issues in succession planning.
Affinity Group Descriptions
Now Forming:
Consultants Affinity Group
Individuals offering their expertise to help businesses grow will find common ground in this group. Members discuss business development, partnerships, pricing, business planning and goal setting in a non-competitive roundtable. This new group is facilitated by Norman "Gene" Richards, an attorney with Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC. Gene will serve as a resource for the group that will determine its own agenda and meeting plans.
Females in the Family Business
Wives, daughters, aunts, sisters, and mothers in a family business are invited to attend the Females in the Family Business Affinity Group. Women who own, are partners in, or work for family businesses will meet to discuss common issues and share solutions in a non-threatening, non-competitive, non-sales roundtable. Please email for the next meeting date: jhubbard@walshcollege.edu. Moderator: Ursula Scroggs, CPA, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC.
For Profit CFOs and Controllers
Chief financial officers and controllers of private Michigan companies meet monthly to discuss common issues, taxes, budgeting and other concerns in a non-competitive, confidential small forum. Speakers are invited to present special topics on occassion. Moderators: Ursula Scroggs, CPA, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC and Frank Seyferth, attorney, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC
HR Professionals Affinity Group
Walsh offers two HR Professionals affinity groups - one that meets at the Troy campus and the other at the Novi campus. HR Directors and HR Professionals are welcome to attend these monthly sessions where substantive updates are provided and all members share common issues of concern, solutions and resources. Please email to request the next meeting date of the Troy or Novi group. jhubbard@walshcollege.edu. Facililtator: Rebecca Davies, attorney, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, PC
Next Generation
Those poised to be next in line in to lead a family business or small enterprise meet monthly to discuss the legal as well as the personal issues in succession planning. This newly reconstituted group is seeking peers who will be commited to the group in hashing out the problems of dealing with the leading generation and to develop leadership skills in preparation for their next role. Please email for the next meeting date: jhubbard@walshcollege.edu. Moderator: Ursula Scroggs, CPA, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC.
Owners and Managers
This group meets in Novi on the second Wednesday each month. Members have owned a business for many years and are concerned about growth, the costs of doing business, succession, work/life balance, and other topics as determined by the members. New members are welcome. Please email for the next meeting date jhubbard@walshcollege.edu. Moderator: Susan Virgin, CPA, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC.
Sales & Marketing Professionals
Sales and Marketing professionals from different types of business meet monthly to discuss careers, techniques, inter-office communication and competition issues along with tips, techniques and tools of the trade! Up to 15 individuals from different industries meet at the Walsh Troy Campus. If you are a sales and marketing professional, email jhubbard@walshcollege.edu for more information and to be a guest at the next meeting. Moderator: Kathryn Baker, owner, AdviCoach
Become A Member
WHAT IS AN AFFINITY GROUP?
An Affinity Group is typically comprised of 8-15 like-minded people and is usually led by a trained facilitator.
- Members have no known conflicts of interest that would inhibit or damage their willingness to conduct open discussions.
- Only one person per company per group members are from non-competing companies
- Members are encouraged to define their own norms of behavior for attendance, tardiness, etc, and are free to explore any topic of interest.
- Meetings are held on a regular basis, typically monthly, in an atmosphere of confidentiality, trust and openness to assist each other with business, issues by sharing experiences and knowledge. Most groups meet at Walsh’s Novi or Troy campus, or another place agreed upon by the members.
- The group may invite outside presenters to address specific topics of interest.
- Responsibility for effective meetings and the group’s continuing health is shared by all members.
WHY AN AFFINITY GROUP?
One purpose of an Affinity Group is simply to share information about common business situations and issues. Affinity Groups will often learn a new skill together, or hear about new technology. Another purpose of Affinity Groups is to assist members in addressing difficult issues. Sharing experiences and offering advice to others can be illuminating as well as reflective.
Affinity Group meetings are open to members only. Not-yet members may attend twice before joining. This is to help maintain the propriety of member business and personal information and to add value to membership.
While sharing some characteristics of other small advisory or support groups, the Walsh BLI Affinity Groups are unique. They are not social clubs, although social relationships may develop. They are not therapy groups, although some group support may be therapeutic. They are not fix-it-all groups, although practical advice is offered. They are not networking or business card exchange groups, although networking does regularly occur.
Above all, Walsh Business Leadership Institute Affinity Groups are educational, offering practical business advice from peers, experts, and opportunities for growth as business leaders.
Become A Member
SUMMARY
Walsh Business Leadership Institute Affinity Groups can be the most valuable resource and the best time spent by an executive. They offer a practical blend of business theory and real-world application, true to the Walsh College way.