I had always been quite cynical about mentoring groups and such organisations, being bombarded daily with them on LinkedIn. Something resonated with me when I met Leslie though and it’s probably one of the very best things I’ve done for me and my business.

Sharing experiences and issues with fellow board members provides an invaluable wealth of ideas and support, along with the confidence that comes when realising you can contribute ideas and solutions for their challenges too.

1-2-1 sessions with my TAB Facilitator allow me to work on, not in, the business. Their vast experience and knowledge is invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend TAB to anyone who is serious about growing their business, wants to learn better practices and improve the health of their business (and probably their own mental health too).

Tina Keeble, Valiant Design LTD

I joined TAB in September 2017 having met Leslie Woodcock, and immediately recognising a connection between my own personal needs, the needs of my business and where TAB could help.

My business already has a Board of Directors who run the business, with me acting as MD, but TAB offered something I was unable to get from my management board: invaluable insight from my fellow TAB Board members who are removed from my own business and could give advice, support and opinion from an external viewpoint. The TAB board has collectively and as individuals, become a genuine asset to my own business.

Additionally, the monthly 1-2-1 meetings with my TAB Facilitator, whose business experience and guidance have offered me clarity in thinking and able to identify areas to improve almost every aspect of our business, benefiting my family life in turn.

Through my time with TAB, I have grown professionally and my business has become immeasurably more refined and efficient… the benefits have been life changing.

Andrew Maxwell, Tante Marie Culinary Academy

Isháun is a fabulous mentor who is forward thinking and strives to provide the very best advice. As a business owner, he has listened to my goals and created a plan for the future development of my property search business, for which I am truly grateful. His wealth of experience is very evident and his enthusiasm is inimitable. I shall be highly recommending TAB to other forward thinking business owners.

Harriet Rowlands, Independent Property Search Specialist

I was already aware of and appreciate the concept of The Alternative Board, but welcomed the opportunity to experience a board meeting.

I’m delighted to say that The Alternative Board more than met my expectations at the time, but wanted to let you know that I have now implemented the feedback I received, and my business is the better for it; both in terms of efficiency and profitability.

Jonathan Dawson, Quickbooks Accountants

Julian Smith is a first class coach, great facilitator and a privilege to know.

Gemma Orton, Mocha Marketing

I have been working with Ted now for the past few months and have found him to be extremely knowledgeable in his field. I joined Ted’s TAB Mastermind Group in October and since then my business has only been improving and going from strength to strength. Ted’s mentoring style is also one which I truly respect, no frills and he’ll make you accountable for what you need to be doing. This is the right kind of challenge that any business can really benefit from and should seriously consider doing. I can highly recommend Ted as a coach and mentor and also TAB as a great organisation to really take you forward.

Sharon Brown, Lydian Events

Becoming members of TAB has been hugely valuable to our business. Our fellow Board Members are a really good bunch of people for whom we have great respect. The ongoing nature of our relationship with one another has built up a lot of trust and we have been given some useful advice, which we would not have been able to gain easily elsewhere. Tom’s one to one sessions have been vital in helping us to plan the growth of our business, and allowing us to tap into his many years of business experience and contacts.

Sharon Klein & Sue Alderson, Azure Consultants

During the protracted two year process of selling my hotel business, with all its ups and downs, the Board’s support and advice has been invaluable. Their support made me feel that there was a plan and light at the end of the tunnel.

Peter Banks, Rudding Park Hotel

I have been with TAB for over three years now. I find it a great environment to share experiences and discuss ideas. Although I have benefited from discussing my own challenges with the board, I have also learnt so much from the way in which other businesses have dealt with their challenges. Although it is a great sounding board for your own business, TAB helps you deal with personal challenges that come with running your own business. It helps you strike the right balance between work and family life.

Julian Thornhill, Thornhill Solutions

I’ve had some good advice from the Board, and my monthly one to one session with Tom is a great opportunity to stand back from the business and formalise my thinking.

Kevin O’Connor, RSM

I have been a member of one of Terry’s TAB boards for over a year. Having a group of like minded business people to bounce ideas off and to get advice from is invaluable. If you are serious about wanting to improve your business I would recommend that you check TAB out.

Howard Soltau, Beech Financial

I’ve been an active member of Terry’s High Peak/Macclesfield TAB board for over a year now. Terry is not only a great facilitator of our board meetings but always has some insightful and positive input into the members monthly topics. Terry and TAB has helped me put aside time to work on my business rather than in it. I’d recommend TAB and Terry in particular to any business owner looking for help growing their business.

Carl Dean, Silkmoth Ltd

Running a business is a challenge, but today’s new problem is something someone else has already dealt with, this week’s craziness is next week’s learning, and tomorrow’s insight is sometimes the inspiration another needs. So it’s about being part of a community who can share, support, and guide and celebrate. We are all individuals but together we are strong.

Simon Hudson, Cloud2

As a direct result of my Board meetings and my fellow members understanding the DNA of the business and myself to some extent, I had been advised to get a ‘right-hand man’ – someone in operations that could take the heat off the day job. I implemented that and it’s made significant changes to the way I work and freed up my time to focus on the bigger picture. It was clear that I was getting involved in the minutia and that I needed to take a step away. It has been a very effective implementation – I wouldn’t have made that investment without The Alternative Board.

James Cain, Harrogate Spring Water

I have a group of people on my TAB Board who I know I can trust, not only from a confidentiality point of view, but also who I trust to listen to issues I have and give me guidance . Personally, that’s an extra tool I know I can use to help me make better strategic decisions, and I’m there every month so I have the opportunity to use it on a regular basis.

Jon Whiteley, ProAktive Group

Sharing experience, knowledge, hopes, ambitions and fears with a board of peers is enormously beneficial to my business and to me as an individual. Consultants can only go so far – nothing beats the real life lessons that a peer group of this stature can give. Give me real experience over books and gurus any day! The TAB process has made me do things that I needed to do in the business.

Ian Thompson, Thompson Brand Partners

TAB meetings enable me to meet and talk with like minded people, gain new angles and fresh ways of thinking for my business. They understand the trials and tribulations that every organisation, irrespective of size, is faced with everyday. It is this hard won, practical experience that TAB brings together and which is readily shared around the table to the benefit of all. Whatever problems arise I know that I am not on my own.

Bob Gomersall, Virtual College

TAB provides not only a regular and consistent opportunity to sit down and evaluate our behaviours and business challenges, but also practical advice and support. As a TAB facilitator, Peter is as constructive and supportive as he is realistic. His personal investment and commitment to the success of everyone’s business is visceral, and he has become an integral part of ours. It’s reassuring to find our questions echoed or answered by professionals from very different sectors. The openness and high levels of engagement with each other’s businesses provide a consistency and value which far exceeds what we had ever hoped to find from an external support network.

Elliott Cranmer, ShootMedia

Peter is attentive to individual needs and personalities, recognizing the correct approach to support my business by enabling me to think about my personal and business goals. He has helped identify strategies to help overcome challenges. Peter has the ability to bring together the right businesses and personalities, facilitating all to share best practices, experiences and resolve challenges faced on a daily basis. Peter is always positive, energetic and supporting me to get things done. Its a real pleasure working with him.

Ziggy Pindoria, Aspire To Learn

As a member of Martin’s board, he has supported me and the growth of my business over the past nine months. His advice and guidance has been hugely valuable and I always enjoy our conversations. He is supportive, challenging and thought provoking. I strongly recommend him as a personal and business mentor.

Richard Waddell, Talent ID

Martin is unflappable, productive and a great facilitator, couple that with a good sense of humour then you have the qualities required to run a successful TAB board. I would recommend Martin to anyone I meet especially where a seemingly intractable situation needs resolving.

Paul Songaila, Twin Systems Plc

My experience of being a TAB member is absolutely positive! The support I have been shown is of tremendous importance through very difficult and stressful times. TAB has been instrumental in helping me to overcome my business demons and develop my business knowledge and understanding.

Paul Hastings, Manor Electrical

Julian is highly adept at seeing straight to the heart of an issue. He has the ability to create a level of trust and understanding very quickly when interacting with my team and they value his advice and suggestions as much as I do. He offers unflinching support and his ideas and solutions are incredibly valuable.

Kirsty Davies-Chinnock

Jonathan is a rare mentor – he listens. My business has made real progress this year and a big part of that is thanks to Jonathan’s skill in listening then drawing out the best way forward from within me (he doesn’t just tell me what to do). Highly recommended to any ambitious entrepreneur who wants to grow their business and fully enjoy the process at the same time.

Oliver Parker, Capability Consulting

Jonathan is a man who brings a depth of experience and wisdom to any business challenge. He is a very good listener, and he is able to ask the right questions and get you to a better solution. Jonathan is very efficient, personable and someone who can be trusted to deliver on his promises. I have no hesitation in recommending Jonathan and the work that he does with The Alternative Board.

Ed Rowberry, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital

Elliot allowed me to talk openly and honestly in a private environment. His outstanding knowledge and advice on sometimes basic matters are invaluable. He always provides me with a sensible, thought provoking and realistic approach to my ongoing business challenges. It’s refreshing to know that I can pick the phone up at any time for a friendly chat and reassurance in what we are doing is correct.

Richard Metcalfe, Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel

I have worked with David over the last year on a number of projects. With his breadth of business experience he brings an external view and perspective to issues that you can’t get from work colleagues. This has proven to be invaluable to me and I would recommend David to other business leaders.

Andrew Moorby, Tait Walker

David has helped me take a step back and look objectively at my business and to focus on working on it rather than in it. His wealth of experience and measured approach provides an excellent sounding board and affords some clarity to the direction of both my own and the company vision. The Board meetings are a great opportunity to discuss issues and share ideas and I recommend David and TAB to other small business owners.

John Campbell, Chemtech Environmental

I have worked with David over the last year on a number of projects. With his breadth of business experience he brings an external view and perspective to issues that you can’t get from work colleagues. This has proven to be invaluable to me and I would recommend David to other business leaders.

Iain Richardson, Winn Solicitors

The TAB Board meetings are a great way to get quality advice from experienced business leaders, and to hear about the challenges they have faced and the solutions they developed to achieve success. In addition, the one to one meetings with David give me the time and space to step back from the day to day business and focus on the strategic challenges. David brings a wealth of business experience and an independent, external perspective which is hugely valuable.

Susan Bell, Watersons

David supported me through a transitional period in my business. He was of immeasurable help facilitating a structure that puts us in great shape for the future. He demonstrated great insight into the challenges and the people involved. I would have no reservations in recommending him and the Alternative Board.

Nick Lock, Carrot Juice Creative

TAB has helped us immeasurably. It’s amazing how people running businesses in different sectors have a massive degree of overlap in the issues they face day in, day out. There isn’t a single area where my board has not added a different perspective to our thinking. We all find ourselves stuck in the trenches, and TAB has enabled my firm to benefit from outside experience which is unshackled from – in my case – the practice of law, and most closely resembles the kind of input you receive from a non-executive director.

Richard Kempner, Kempner & Partners

Many thanks to Dave, for the time invested with CimLogic via TAB. Being part of a ‘relevant’ network has made an extreme difference to the way we do business. I have saved money, paid less tax, received better service from existing suppliers, and been able to us a wide range of new business services which I didn’t even know existed. Well done Dave & TAB – much appreciated.

Mike Hodge, CIM Logic

Damien has been an invaluable asset to our business. The 1-2-1 sessions have ventured through brilliant business advice, accountable actions and useful contacts. Occasionally almost venturing in to business counselling with solid and honest home truths that even if hard to admit, are incredibly valuable. The board meetings have always brought up fantastic insights, and the benefits of being able to discuss any issues in a safe and respected environment should not be underestimated. Helping each other’s businesses to traverse obstacles and find solutions is both incredibly useful and rewarding.

Peter Bird, WATB Creative

Being a single person business I’ve managed to get by on a mix of luck and hard work. Clare is helping to bring more structure and experience to Smart Local that is enabling the business to grow. The online resources on the TAB website coupled with processes and planning that Clare is helping me to implement are providing the business with a far stronger foundation. Clare’s drive is infectious and I’d highly recommend that any business in the area try out at least a TAB taster session, especially if they’re looking to build a lasting business.

Nick Rink, Smart Local

I have gained a tremendous amount since being a member, not least clarity for the future and now being able to see the wood for the trees. I have been given confidence to move forward with ideas. On a practical side TAB has helped me see further than today and tomorrow and also my fellow members have listened to doubts and insecurities without judgement and offered sage advice. I started off feeling slightly unsure of what benefit could be achieved but now find it so valuable that both the peer group meetings and the 1:1 meetings each month are firm fixtures in my diary and missing them is no longer an option for me.

Phillipa Keith, MSP Secretaries

Clare’s experience shows in the way she asks perceptive questions that get you to think about problems differently. Her persistence style cuts through woolly thinking and enables you to get clarity on a way forward that is then actionable. Always come away feeling meetings with Clare feeling energised.

Dave Nyss, d2

As a TAB member, through the regular coaching sessions and monthly Board meetings, I gain invaluable mentor and peer support. The TAB ethos and coaching approach has helped me to plan personal and business goals and set direction. This is supported by the wealth of knowledge, skills, experience and support that is shared by the board who provide Impartial, informed and considered guidance and advice on all types of business issues, that enable me to gain fresh perspectives, identify blind spots and fill my skill gaps. Over the last twelve months TAB has effectively become my company’s non-executive board and its members my trusted colleagues.

Simon Banks, Sampson Timber Products

With each meeting at my TAB board I have become more convinced of its merit to anyone really wishing to grow or change their business. You get in-depth evaluation or your problems and excellent suggestions of how to solve them. However, the most important part is you are held to account. It is not just your issue that adds value to your experience, those of others are just as useful. I have found the experience invaluable in my journey through the start-up process. Having seasoned business owners to bounce ideas off and give robust feedback has been crucial to my confidence in my plans

Rob Shaw, The Cracking Egg Company

I have worked for AES for 20 years and I assumed full ownership and control of the business, following a 5 year management buy-out. I joined TAB with the expectation that it would provide me with an opportunity to discuss, implement and manage changes that would allow the business to grow, with the support and experience of other business owners. During the last 12 months that I have been a member, TAB has been a vital resource to challenge my ideas and enable me to make better decisions. Working on a Business Advisory Board with other like-minded business owners from various sectors has enabled me to access support, experience and knowledge to help me to run my company.

Lee Johnson, Advanced Electrical Services

Eight years after taking the decision to leave employment and set up my own business, and as anyone in my position will tell you, it can still be a lonely place to operate. That changed when I met Chris. Working with, and being supported by Chris in his capacity of MD at The Alternative Board has been nothing short of invaluable to me. To share topics of discussion with, be held accountable by, and receive advice from other business owners in a format chaired expertly by Chris is something I look forward to each month. Should Chris offer you the opportunity to meet, take it

Martin Bown, My Management Accountant Ltd

What I know I have in common with many small business owners is a difficulty in planning the direction of the company when day to day work never goes away. Andy has worked hard in putting structure into my thinking and ensuring priorities are dealt with. The day to day stuff doesn’t go away but the regular support through monthly meetings means that development of the business doesn’t get forgotten. Having someone outside of the business that you can call on to get an alternative and valuable opinion also reduces stress levels by a notch or two.

Mark Judkowski, Clean & Care

I met Andy through TAB but he has recently worked with me to complete a full business analysis and 3 year plan. He is extremely focused and knowledgeable in business affairs and if he doesn’t know about something, he will research it & find out. Through Andy’s sessions, my daughter and I have clearly outlined where we want to be, how we can get there and faced up to the realities of our previous weaknesses.
I have worked with other coaches, through courses I have been involved in, who have given what I would call ‘woolley’ comments whereas Andy is very specific. We are only at the beginning of putting our plan into action but I have every confidence that we have a really achievable set of goals and feel far more confident that serious growth is within our grasp.

Helen Rhodes, Bow Basket

I’ve now worked with Andy for 8 months and can safely say he has helped me achieve results a lot faster than I would have on my own. Andy is a fantastic listener and has a strong foundation of knowledge in all areas of business. His guidance has provided valuable insight into areas I may have never considered had I not got involved with The Alternative Board. If you’re looking for a trusted and experienced person that can help you take your business to the next level, Andy’s your man!

Jag Panesar, Xpand Marketing

Without a doubt TAB is the best investment I make each month. As one of my TAB facilitators, Andy’s help and insight has been core to my business growth.

David Waterhouse, Angus Roberts Lettings

Andy has been fantastic with his support and help through our transition through the startup period! I look forward to learning more from him in the future.

Chris Morris, Shoo Social Media

I’ve had the pleasure of being mentored by Paul for over a year and the difference that his counsel has made, together with my membership at The Alternative Board, has exceeded all my expectations. Paul has a brilliant coaching style which helps you work through the many challenges that come from running a business. Owning and running a business can be a lonely tough place at times – and working with Paul and my membership of The Alternative Board has been one of my best purchasing decisions of 2016. Having had quite a few ‘business advisers’ seek my attention the past two years – I can honestly say that Paul’s way, his knowledge and his commitment puts him in a league of his own.

John Quinton-Barber, Social Communications

“Working with Paul through The Alternative Board (TAB) has completely transformed my approach to running the business. From the 1-2-1 coaching sessions to the monthly board meetings with other business owners, Paul’s input and professional approach has helped my business mature from a small “friends and family” operation to a well-structured and strategically sound operation.

Paul has been instrumental in facilitating this transformation with a personable yet professional style that really suits our manner of working. I would recommend Paul and TAB membership to any business owner looking at taking the next step.”

Rob Sandbach, Indiespring

“I first met Paul in early 2015 and he introduced me to The Alternative Board. It is no exaggeration to say that this was a turning point in my professional life.

The support that I received from Paul and the other members of our board was a key element in the improvement of our business. TAB helped us to define our company vision; to set goals; to plan strategies to achieve those goals and most importantly for me – to not let me off the hook if I was slacking!

It is not easy being a small business owner, but Paul and the rest of the TAB team make it much easier.”

Tyler Lappage, Nabarro Poole

Almost a year ago I asked Paul if I could join one of his boards, it was one of the best things I could have done for both my development and the growth of my company. Having worked with Paul for the last year, I know first-hand why he has been awarded facilitator of the year by his peers for three years running. The input from Paul’s board and the direct mentoring he has given to me and my co-director have been vital during what has been a massive growth curve for Linten Technologies. In my view, every company owner who wants to grow should be asking to join a board.

Steven Allan, Linten Technologies

With Paul and The Alternative Board I find myself with a complimentary non-exec Board of like-minded professionals with far wider skills to draw on than I possess, additionally I get 1-2-1 time with Paul to help keep me focused and on track with my goals. For me, the chemistry of the group matters far more than the structure, with TAB I’ve found both great chemistry and diversity of skills alongside a structure that really suits my working style. In short, exactly what I need post-Goldman Sachs for our onward journey.

Mike Andrews, John Bradshaw & Sons

“I have been thoroughly impressed by each aspect of work that Paul helps me with; through The Alternative Board and in 1-2-1 coaching sessions. He has guided me through some big changes with great insight, wisdom and practical advice.

I am very grateful to him and hope this recommendation helps him to help more people. Thank you, Paul.”

Flora Maudsley-Barton, Parsonage Financial

The insight of the others, and their frank, open and honest advice is refreshing. It enables me to see things more clearly and use the wisdom in the room to help our business progress. As someone who was unsure to begin with, the depth of trust and the strength of the relationships that I have with my fellow TAB members is something I didn’t foresee. I would recommend joining TAB to any business owner who is looking at growing their business and maturing their role within that business.

Steve Coburn, Projectfive

Joining TAB 10 months ago seemed like a big decision at the time. I attended my first board meeting in July 2015 as a guest but felt immediately part of the group and I was struck by the honesty and integrity of what has since become my board. The monthly meetings are now a highlight of my journey as a business owner and I look forward to the insight, experience and wisdom from my mentor and fellow board members.

Allan MacMillan, C7 Architects Ltd

“I joined TAB in 2014 and it has been a great experience and has provided huge benefits to me and my organisation. It is an excellent forum to air and discuss difficult business issues and to obtain expert considered advice. It has given me clear direction and focused my mind on exactly what my key business priorities are.”

Mark Robson, Red Mist Leisure Ltd

“Paul is a skilled coach, great diplomat but has a real knack of making everything simple and therefore more sticky.

To be an effective Board member you need only two things, an open mind and the common sense to accept you haven’t got all the answers, if that’s the case working with Paul & TAB will make your business better.

I would strongly recommend you give it a go & would be happy to share a few of the gems that have helped us to develop & grow wisely.”

Mark Brocklehurst, MD Sharples Group Ltd

“I’ve known Paul for over 3 years and joined a TAB Board facilitated by Paul just under 2 years ago. The support I get from Paul and the other members of the board has been and is invaluable to me. The coaching and mentoring compliments the regular TAB Boards superbly and Paul’s style has helped me make real progress the effects of which are being felt in my business and personal life. I have a clear vision and goals that are driving initiatives which are making a real difference to me and the business.”

Stephen Attree, MLP Law

“TAB has been a truly enlightening journey. I feel that I now have ‘business best friends’, the people you can tell everything to about work; who understand and, more importantly, have often been in the same boat. I really do love watching everyone’s businesses grow.

1-2-1 coaching time keeps me focused and has enabled me to look at the bigger picture one bite at a time. The future looks bright and with the amazing support I have from TAB I can clearly see where I am going.”

Abi Phillips, The Cake Nest