FAQs
- What is ABL?
- I’ve never heard of you. How long has ABL been around?
- Who are your Members?
- What happens at the Round Tables?
- How are the topics selected?
- What time are the Round Tables held and what’s the dress code?
- What else is involved?
- What the process for becoming a Member?
- What’s in it for me?
1. What is ABL?
The Adaptive Business Leaders Organization is an exclusive Membership Organization that provides continuing education and development to technology and healthcare Chief Executives through Forums (Round Tables, Conferences and the ABL Technology Online bi-weekly Trendletter) and Leveraged Connections (including personal introductions, our forums, and “Members Only” website). 
2. I’ve never heard of you. How long has ABL been around?
We were founded in May of 1983 as the Southern California Technology Executives Network (SO/CAL/TEN), with a focus on the information technology sector, but also included biomedical device manufacturers. By the late 1980’s several of our biomed Members asked that we include healthcare providers and payers in their Round Tables. At the suggestion of our Board, we then changed the name of the Organization (from SO/CAL/TEN to the ABL Organization), and in January 1989, the first ABL Healthcare Round Table was held. In April of 1994, ABL of Northern California was launched.
3. Who are your Members?
ABL’s Technology Members represent the leadership of many of the most respected names in the technology field, including software developers and solutions providers, systems integrators, high-tech manufacturers, multimedia and entertainment producers, as well as telecommunications, wireless and internet-deployed solution providers. Since our Round Tables are held both Los Angeles and Orange County, most of our Members are based in or near these metro areas.
One of the requisites for Membership is P&L responsibility for one’s business entity. So most of our Members are their company’s President and CEO; however, we also include Chief Operating Officers and Division General Managers of larger organizations.
4. What happens at the Round Tables?
ABL's monthly Round Tables are confidential, yet dynamic forums where typically 12-18 Members brainstorm a range of innovative alternatives and solutions to each other’s most critical management issues. Members also rely on their fellow Round Table Members to get highly informed, advance intelligence on -- and interpretation of --topical developments and issues in the marketplace. The Round Table sessions are usually anchored by four key agenda items: (1) a group discussion on an issue of particular relevance to the technology community; (2) an opportunity to discuss each Member's most pressing business concerns – “What’s Keeping You Up Nights?;” and (3) a "Strategic Advisory Board" presentation by one of the Round Table Members detailing their goals and concerns, which are addressed by the Group in depth.
5. How are the topics selected?
At least once or twice a year all of our Members are surveyed as to the Technology/Healthcare Trends and Management Issues they would most like to discuss. Depending on the issue, occasionally we bring in outside experts to address these topics as well. However, because the Members are so knowledgeable themselves, lively discussions are assured even within the Group.
6. What time are the Round Tables held and what’s the dress code?
Typically our morning Round Tables are four hours long -- all of them start in the morning with a robust continental breakfast, some as early as 8 am, others at 8:30, and conclude at noon or 12:30. The attire is “business casual,” modified by “whatever dress is called for in your next meeting” (so ties are permitted!).
7. What else is involved?
Conferences and Social Events are held throughout the year and at different locations within the state. These Events further dimensionalize the value Members receive from ABL, as they provide an expanded opportunity to get to know other ABL Members, while participating in further-in-depth sessions on "cutting-edge" issues of the day, featuring industry luminaries. Between sessions, Members stay in touch with the issues, trends, and each other via the ABL Technology Online (bi-weekly Member News and Trendletter), connecting with other Members in their Round Table, the Organization and others ABL staff believes will be leveraged connections, on an "off-line" basis.
8. What
is the process for becoming a Member?
Most of our Members are nominated by existing Members as someone who’s of high caliber, ethical, and a “good thinker.” Since we are a Member-driven Organization, we invite pre-qualified candidates to attend a Round Table as our guest, understanding that they will sign (as have all of our Members) the “Letter of Confidentiality” (what’s said in confidence in the Room, stays there), a “No-Raid Policy” (it’s not ok to poach other Members top employees), and an understanding that this is the first step in making a commitment to join the Organization, if asked to do so.
Following the Round Table, assuming there are no objections by any of the Round Table Members (we look to avoid directly competitive situations), a prospective Member is invited to join the Organization. Payment (of $1750/quarter, or $6000 annually) may be paid by check or credit card.
9. What’s in it for me?
Active participation in ABL Round Tables and our other forums has helped hundreds of Technology and Healthcare CEOs successfully grow their businesses in good times and bad. Additionally, they’ve forged partnerships and alliances, in some cases merging businesses, hiring key executives – or finding their own next position – and, generally, they’ve been able to tap into a “practical think tank” to better position their companies and themselves for “the next big thing.”
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