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Dashwood
04-22-2009, 09:49 PM
Hi

Just want to ask if any of you guys know about or if you are or have been a member of FBA (Family Business Australia)? I know they have several events and I read about the benefits. It seems to be the organization my family-run company needs, but I want to hear what other members think about it before I become a member.

Thanks

vangogh
04-23-2009, 12:20 AM
Welcome to the forum Dashwood. I myself have never been to Australia, but we have a few members here from your neck of the woods so hopefully they'll see this and respond.

What kind of benefits is the FBA supposed to offer? I'm curious to see if it's similar to anything we have here in the U.S.

Dashwood
05-06-2009, 03:01 AM
Thanks mate :)

FBA has several benefits. Here is the list they handed out. You also get free marketing health audit from WAAM and some great deals with the St. George bank. I guess the environment also is important, where you can have a chat with other businesses and families that are in the same situation.

Events: Attend our events at discounted rates including breakfasts, workshops and other courses to help you understand the issues affecting your businessShare information, experiences and learn from other FBA members.

Conference: Come along to our exciting state & national conferences featuring a combination of family business speakers and specialist advisers.

Forum: Groups Join a forum group and become part of this unique and rewarding program.

Network: With like-minded people who run family businesses just like yours at our regular networking events.

Referral: service Find a family business specialist in our National Advisers’ Register.

Mentor: Access the Mentor Register which is designed to assist members achieve their potential by seeking to provide them with experienced family business mentors. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply.

Resources: Gain access to articles, diagnostic tools, research & the Family Business Resource Centre website through the Members Only section of our website.

Magazine: Receive our quarterly magazine Generations filled with relevant information about key family business issues.

Awards: Promote your business through entering the prestigious Family Business of the Year Awards. Promote your business List in our on-line National Family Business Directory which offers fantastic discounts and is accessed by over 2,000 FBA members. Use our logo Publicize the fact that you are a family business by using our Member of FBA logo.

vangogh
05-06-2009, 03:23 AM
Glad to respond even if I can only contribute so much.

It does sound similar to things the SBA (small business administration) offers in combination with local Chambers of Commerce. Not quite the same, but similar. When I was starting up my first business I went to the SBA to learn more about running a small business. I learned some things, but in the end I think I learned more by reading on my own and there's no substitute for getting out there and doing.

The Chambers have networking groups and events where you get to know other business owners in the community in part with the idea that some will use each others services. I can't say I spent a lot of time networking through the Chamber. For me it wasn't a good fit and I didn't get much out of it, but others definitely have. I think it can be a hit or miss thing depending on who the other people in the group are and how well you are at networking in that kind of situation.

The Mentor program sounds like it could be a good thing. I think it can be a good way to learn. You find someone who's been where you are now to guide you and show you the ropes.

Does it cost anything to join the FBA and if so is it a lot. If it doesn't cost much I can't see any reason not to give it a try. You should know relatively quickly whether or not you think you'll get some benefit from it. One thing you probably will get is a link from their site to yours. If it's one visible to search engines it's probably a quality link that's worth the cost of joining in how it might help your site rank. I'm assuming you have or will have a website. I've thought of joining the Chamber again at times just for the link they would send me.

I'm still waiting for some of our Aussie members to check in on this thread. I think you may have had bad timing when you originally posted and they missed the thread. Maybe now with a couple new posts it'll catch their attention.

By the way what kind of business do you own? Feel free to start an introduction thread and fill everyone in.

Bree
05-17-2009, 08:19 PM
Hi

I have been a member of FBA for 4 years now and can recommend to become a member. It doesn’t cost you so much, the events are always good and it is really nice to meet people in the similar situations. Family Business is a unique situation to be in and the same are the problems you face. I have learned a lot as a father and a leader, and how to manage the daily issues you meet in your business.

If you want, you can read a few testimonials on their website Family Business Australia - Home (http://www.fambiz.org.au/testimonials.php). I hope they can help you as well.

As Vangogh wrote to you, you should try it out for a year and then decide if the events and the membership gave you what you expected, that I’m sure and hope it will.

Rob
06-08-2009, 09:45 PM
I've been working in my dad's business for a couple of years now, and we haven't heard of FBA before. Thanks for writing about them. I reviewed their website and we've decided to join because we think it will be very helpful to share experiences with other family businesses. Thanks again!