Virtual Study Groups in FFI

Prepared Exclusively for FFI Members

January 31, 2020

O

ne of the benefits of being an FFI member is the opportunity to participate in a Virtual Study Group (VSG). In this issue we are pleased to announce the formation of a new VSG in Portuguese and to provide information on existing groups. We encourage you to join one or to think of starting a new one.

For more information on an existing group, please email the contacts listed. For more information on starting a new group, email ffi@ffi.org.

Asian Circle

The Asian Circle VSG, formed in 2018, is an online forum to educate, connect, and inspire Asian practitioners in the field of family enterprise. This is a multi-disciplinary group with nearly 30 current members. It is designed for advisors and consultants who have been practicing in the field in Asia. This VSG seeks a multi-disciplinary composition to broaden and enrich the learning experience of its members. Co-chairs are Esther Kong and Pilar Unidad-Tolentino.

PRIMARY PURPOSES

Build a strong presence of Asian advisors and consultants, academics, and family enterprise members
Provide multi-disciplinary learning opportunities using case discussions, guest speakers, presentations, and open dialog among members
Nurture and inspire potential Asian leaders within FFI
Leverage the insight and perspectives of experienced practitioners in the field, both from the West and the East

Meetings

VSG meetings are held quarterly. These meetings are conducted entirely online via live video conferencing. The meetings are expected to last up to two hours. Group members will also have access to the private group website which includes discussion forums, file sharing, and a member directory for use between virtual meetings.

Coming in 2020

At the start of a new decade, nothing beats having good health and wellbeing. The Asian Circle is pleased to confirm Feisal Alibhai, Founder & CEO of Qineticare, to be the Asian Circle’s first speaker in the Group’s quarterly meeting. He will be sharing his revolutionary approach to health, wellbeing, and the art of living in flow with multigenerational families across the globe. In addition, the Asian Circle will also be conducting their first-ever Members Survey to garner feedback on making this VSG even better.

Iberoamérica

The Iberoamérica VSG, formed in 2016, is an online forum that aims to educate, inspire, and connect FFI members that are interested in family business topics and are located in Latin America and Spain. The official language of the group is Spanish. The Group’s chair is Paula Rincón.

PRIMARY PURPOSES

The Iberoamérica VSG extends the mission of FFI, focusing on education and multidisciplinary learning. The Group’s membership seeks to have a multidisciplinary composition and a geographic mix, with the objective that each member´s input will broaden and enrich the experience of all members.

Meetings

Group meetings are held online via live video conferencing on the second Thursday of every month. The meetings last up to one hour and each of these monthly meetings has one speaker that presents the topic. There is time at the end of each session for Q&A. VSG members also have access to the private group website which includes discussion forums, file sharing and member directory for use between virtual meetings.

Coming in 2020

In 2020, the Iberoamérica VSG will include a new element: twice a year the Group will discuss cases regarding family business. This new feature aims to strengthen the analytic capacity of the members as family business consultants and to provide access to other ways of thinking. Additionally, the group will continue to contribute to FFI Practitioner’s bilingual publications. In October, during the 2020 FFI annual global conference in NYC, the Iberoamérica VSG will present a summary of topics discussed during the year and identify objectives for 2021.

Mediation

The Mediation VSG, formed in 2019, is a venue for FFI members with mediation skills to share developments in the field of dispute resolution. Richard Lutringer is the chair.

PRIMARY PURPOSES

Through discussion of practical experience, skill building, marketing, and other related matters, the group extends knowledge and skills among the members. In addition to discussions and presentations by members, the group hosts presentations by recognized thought leaders in various mediation disciplines, as well as related fields, including developments in psychology and neuroscience.

Meetings

Mediation VSG meetings are bi-monthly.

Coming in 2020

In 2020 the Mediation VSG will continue its monthly virtual meetings by Zoom, usually on the third Wednesday of each month. Each month’s meeting explores a different topic related to the resolution of disputes within family enterprises, discussing professional challenges and recent learning in the field. Regular participants include U.S. members from California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Oregon, as well as members from the UK and Israel.

NextGen Practitioners

The NextGen Practitioners VSG, formed in 2017, is dedicated to educating, connecting, and inspiring the next generation of practitioners in the field of family enterprise. This is a multidisciplinary study group designed for advisors and consultants who have been practicing in the field for ten years or fewer. The group seeks a multidisciplinary composition to broaden and enrich the learning experience of its members. A geographic mix is also a priority. Natalie McVeigh and Elle Hansen are the Group’s co-chairs.

PRIMARY PURPOSES

Build a strong foundation of next generation family enterprise advisors and consultants
Build relationships among peers who face similar challenges and opportunities
Provide multidisciplinary learning opportunities using case discussions, guest speakers, presentations, and open dialog among members
Nurture and inspire the next generation of potential leaders within FFI
Leverage the insight and perspectives of experienced practitioners in the field through guest speakers

Meetings

The NextGen Practitioners VSG meets quarterly and, additionally, each quarter have a Twosies match to get to know members of the group individually and to collaborate on the reading materials.

Coming in 2020

In the new year, the NextGen Practitioners VSG will dive deeper into case studies, theoretical and real, that challenge assumptions and blind spots and that build members’ own tool kits for client interventions and applications. The annual two-day in-person meeting in Boston will be April 18-19 with an encouraged (optional) dinner on April 17. The VSG will also connect in-person with a half-day working session following the FFI annual global conference in NYC in October.

Coming soon: Virtual Study Group in Portuguese

A new virtual study group with Portuguese as the official language will be launched in the second Quarter of this year. If you speak Portuguese and are interested in actively participating, please contact Mathias Ernst, who is the chair.

Meet the Virtual Study Group Chairs

Esther Kong
Asian Circle
Co-chair

Pilar Unidad-Tolentino
Asian Circle
Co-chair

Paula Rincón
Iberoamérica
Chair

Richard Lutringer
Mediation
Chair

Natalie McVeigh
NextGen Practitioners
Co-chair

Elle Hansen
NextGen Practitioners
Co-chair

Mathias Ernst
Portuguese
Chair

Previous Edition

FFI is fortunate to have a generous and expansive community of members. Their contributions to the field and to FFI are well known around the world.

Several members and organizations have shown their commitment to extending the professional development of the field through scholarships to the Global Education Network (GEN) certificate programs.

Thanks to these sponsoring organizations, and congratulations to those who have been awarded scholarships—all of whom are making amazing contributions to FFI and the field by serving on committees, writing for FFI Practitioner, leading virtual study groups, serving as GEN faculty, and much more.

Applications for the 2020 Scholarships are now open and must be received by April 15, 2020.