History

The Strategic Dialogue Roundtable was conceived and formed in the early 1980’s in conjunction with the support of COSE by David L. Rosenzweig, a Cleveland attorney, businessman and entrepreneur.  He believed that there was an unmet need for a problem solving roundtable and support group for experienced business owners and Chief Executives that would enable them to meet on a completely confidential basis to discuss the issues that entrepreneurs, business owners and top executives face in running and building their companies.  The goal was to create a forum where such businessmen and women could receive candid, unvarnished problem solving advice and guidance from other group members, or from experts and speakers brought in to discuss specific problem areas of interest to all of the members as a whole.

This advisory board aspect has grown over the years to the point where members often meet one-on-one outside of the regular meetings to continue the process of  giving and receiving advice.

David, who still serves as the facilitator for the group, originally proposed a set of standards or ground rules by which the group would function.  Those rules were adopted by the original group and are still followed to this day.  They included a commitment to attend a minimum number of monthly meetings per year, a pledge of total confidentiality and secrecy regarding the issues, disclosures and highly personal matters disclosed by the members to each other and the group as a whole.  As part of the problem solving and advice process this often includes very personal, candid disclosures, discussion and advice regarding an individual’s personal strengths and weaknesses, financial matters, concerns and opportunities.

Through the lengthy history of the group’s existence the agreed confidences have always been maintained, thus encouraging more candid discussions and advice on both personal and business levels.

While technically open to any owner or Chief Executive of a COSE member company, the group and COSE have always adhered to another original policy or rule which provides that new members must be vetted and approved by the group and the facilitator in order to avoid conflicts.  Therefore, competitors and, at times, customers of existing members will not be permitted to join.

Over the years a significant social component has also evolved within the group, leading to a well-established practice of at least a summer and winter social event, as well as group trips and cruises, some of which have been quite memorable.