Western Australia’s corporate networking scene is set to become more competitive with the expected arrival in Perth of the CEO Institute, an organisation formed in Australia in 1992 to facilitate informal, confidential and peer group engagement between bu
Western Australia’s corporate networking scene is set to become more competitive with the expected arrival in Perth of the CEO Institute, an organisation formed in Australia in 1992 to facilitate informal, confidential and peer group engagement between business leaders in unrelated industries.
The institute’s WA pioneer Simon Dawkins was tightlipped about the organisation’s intended WA launch, but told WA Business News its arrival was well timed in light of WA’s strong economy.
The institute’s website claims it has attracted over 600 members Australia-wide and is open to chief executives, directors and senior executives who control an organisation with a turnover of at least $2 million a year.
Syndicates comprising of up to 16 institute members agree to meet once a month in a structured session where each member can draw on the combined business knowledge and experience of the group.
News of the institute’s launch was met with a surprised reaction amongst two of the more prominent existing networks in WA.
Established in 1957, The Executive Connection has been operating in WA for the past three years, and founding chairman Bernie Eastman believes it offers significant points of difference.
The international organisation provides continuous learning, mentoring and development for chief executives, managing directors and business owners. Mr Eastman said six groups made up of 16 members met for a minimum of one full day a month, with members taking turns to host meetings.
“I think it’s a good formulae because it weeds out those that are not serious about improving their business performance. Not many chief executives work on the business outside of it and we give them the opportunity to gain a new perspective,” he said.
TEC aims to help members achieve a life balance and attracts a membership fee of $16,000 a year.
Entrepreneurs Organisation is another international network on the WA scene with 54 members currently attending one half-day chapter event a month as well as regular forums.
Membership of the organisation is by invitation only and local members decide on their annual fee, currently set at $4,000.
EO account manager Andre Shori said it was different to its competitors because it catered exclusively to the entrepreneur, was non-profit, non-elitist, and aimed to support, educate and encourage members to build themselves and their companies.
“Our organisation was created by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs and all key positions including those of the international board of directors are non-paid,” Mr Shori said.
One challenge for the newcomer, which both organisations identified as an ongoing issue for them, was in finding a good gender balance amongst member groups.
Mr Shori said around 40 per cent of its members were women, and there was no gender bias when a person has a winning idea.
