Large companies can afford a professional board of directors with diverse skills and experience who help manage the business very effectively through this broad knowledge base. The owner of a small to medium-sized business typically has no such luxury. Nor is it a realistic option, as a professional executive director can easily cost a business $100K+ annually in salary alone. Add other benefits such as company car, pension, healthcare, holidays, etc. to all that and you are committing to a significant annum cost. And that is for each board member you add.
The Business Support Program
The Business Support Program, supported by the Institute for Independent Business (IIB) levels the playing field with larger businesses and gives you a significant advantage over other small business owners - and at a fraction of the cost.
Under the IIB's Business Support Program, you are appointed a business advisor who is available to you to discuss any issues that you have , in any area of your business. In addition, your advisor allocates a number of hours (typically 16 hours per month) for practical "hands-on" time with you and your company, supporting you and helping you make things happen . The advisor has access to the huge resources of more than 3,000 qualified and experienced IIB Accredited Executives, any of whom can be called on to help you with any specialist aspects of your business.
IIB accreditation is only afforded to business professionals who meet the Institute's exacting standards: the Associate must have appropriate professional qualifications, as well as substantial executive experience of running a company at a director level or as business owner. Additionally, all Associates must keep up to date by participating in the Institute's continuous professional development program.
If your business qualifies for the Business Support Program , we act as the process coordinator and your Lead Advisor. In that role, we are there to support and assist you in business in every way possible, and at the same time act as a "business friend" to you, the Business Owner.
The Lead Advisor :
- attends any, or all of your board and management meetings that you wish, to ensure that the company is adequately supported, focused, and progressing to plan.
- coordinates and manages the use of consulting time and "hands-on" practical assistance from any of the Institute's professionals.
- finds answers to any business queries you may have, accessing the extraordinary business resources of the IIB.
- is available on a local "hotline" number, free of charge, just to talk through whatever is on your mind, or act as a sounding board for new ideas.
The Business Support Program is not at all like traditional consulting. Its real strength lies in the ability to establish an ongoing hands-on relationship between the Lead Advisor and the client.
Contact us for more information or to see if your company qualifies for the Business Support Program.
