|
|
 |
Kirk Langley is an Accredited Executive Associate of the IIB
Since 1984, the Institute for Independent Business has been an independent, non-profit friend, adviser and ally to thousands of SMEs (small and medium sized businesses). Research carried out by the Institute amongst thousands of businesses employing between 5 and 250 people shows that the greatest perceived problems of Owners/MDs are:
Do you sometimes wonder where all your cash has gone, when you seem to be working so hard and have had so many orders that should be profitable? With 99.5% of all firms in the UK having less than 250 employees and 98% having less than 50 – you can be certain that your situation is far from unique! Practical Advice that Works However confident you may be as the managing director or owner of a business, there are always those moments when you wish that another mature and experienced business person was available to provide that vital second opinion – including alternative ideas. Perhaps just someone with experience to 'bounce off' ideas. One of the biggest problems for anyone who runs a busy business is that 'we don't know what we don't know'. The Burden of Leadership The leadership burden of the MD or owner of an SME is one of the most isolating in the world. The MD of a larger company has a professional board of directors, each being proven experts in their own fields with a long track record of success and each being available for the MD to call upon whenever he/she needs answers or actions implemented. The MD or owner of an SME has no such luxury. Nor is it a realistic option as one new professional executive director can easily cost a business at least £60,000 per year. So what is the realistic and affordable option? The IIB Business Support Scheme This is where the Institute for Independent Business steps in with its Business Support Scheme to help businesses employing between 5 and 250 employees. The IIB assigns to the applying host company one of its Accredited Business Executives as a scheme co-ordinator or mentor for up to 12 months and to support and assist the company in any and every way possible whilst being a 'business friend' to the MD or owner. With the IIB Executive accreditation being only afforded to top business professionals who meet the Institute's exacting standards, this is acknowledged as a privileged position. With a combination of the Executive being constantly available to the MD or owner of the SME and all the other 'hands-on' support being given to the supported company, the incredible value of the whole facility cannot be overstated. Under the scheme:
With mature specialist professionals in every imaginable discipline available, the supported company can decide to use the hours available through the scheme for a very wide range of requirements indeed. The Business Support Scheme covers your needs – for example:
Over 1400 of the Institute's accredited Executives in the UK, and a similar number internationally, are available to assist the planning, design and implementation of any business related project that your company may need. Affordable help to suit your budget: the supported company is required to make an agreed contribution but this can be spread over regular monthly payments. In return, the MD or owner gets a 'virtual board' of some of the country's top professional directors being available to both advise the MD on any subject and to be called in to undertake the required projects in a hands-on capacity. Throughout the term of support, the Executive is also obliged to take a thorough look at all areas of the company and identify cost savings and lost cash or opportunities which can result in amounts of tens of thousands of pounds of incremental profit for your company. Unlike directly employing directors, there are no NI contributions, no sick or holiday pay, car, pension, insurance or other costs. The full cost is an allowable tax deductible expense for the company
|
