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Why
should I join the VPE / CTO Community of Practice?
The primary purpose of the Community of Practice is to provide VPEs and
CTOs with an opportunity to network with other VPEs and CTOs. In many
cases when you’re faced with a difficult business decision or problem,
it may be similar to one that another person in the group has faced before.
You benefit from the shared experience and knowledge in the group.
The meetings provide time for presentations, interactions between members
about business topics and an opportunity to socialize on an informal basis
during the dinners.
How do the meetings work?
The purpose of the meetings is to discuss issues important to the members
of that group. At the meetings, members are invited to introduce specific
business issues that would benefit from consultation with the other members. The other members present will
act as a "Virtual Advisory Board" offering opinions, advice
and referral contacts to potential other resources.
In addition, at the previous meeting or via e-mail the members may select
topics for discussion. At the meeting, the time will be allocated for
roundtable discussion of each selected topics. In some case one of the
partners or a member may make a brief presentation on the topic before
general discussion. In all cases the goal is to find specific solutions
to real world questions or problems.
At
the end of the meeting there is an open discussion to determine possible
issues for the next meeting.
If I bring up problems I'm having, seeking help, will it show up in the Mercury News?
No. All meetings are conducted under a "cone of silence" - nothing said in the room leaves the room. Participation in the meetings is agreement to honor that rule. Anyone unable to honor that should not attend our meetings. (People sometimes mistakenly refer to this as "The Chatham House Rule", but in fact our "cone of silence" is more restrictive and requires/ensures a higher level of confidentiality.)
Where
are the meetings held?
Meetings are hosted by the member companies in a rotating fashion. The
host provides the meeting facilities, and lunch for the group. In addition,
the hosting member is encouraged to do a host presentation about some
aspect of the company's product line, operations, organization or other
unique aspects of the company. This allows the members to gain deeper
knowledge of their fellow member's companies. Occasionally, if no member is able to host, we rent suiable space for the afternoon.
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