The Alternative Board Manchester West

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.

One of the things that's helped me grow Indiespring over the last 14 years is the support and advice from a number of mentors and partners. I have worked with Paul Winterbottom at The Alternative Board for nearly ten years, and his advice has always been golden. One of the great benefits of TAB is access, not only to a business mentor and coach but also a group of like minded business owners.

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.

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.

Paul helps me get my head straight on a regular basis. He is the person that holds me accountable, helps me deal with road blocks and and often makes the insurmountable seem quite straightforward when I really need it. I love being on a TAB board because it provides so much support and a business routine to keep me on top of jobs that can so easily get pushed back and back when the day to day gets in the way. Paul is supportive, knowledgeable, a font of knowledge when it comes to books and business support and always keen to help. Since I started working with him I have made huge improvements to the business and the way I work and I know this will continue. I would recommend Paul and TAB to anyone running a business that needs someone to advise, bounce ideas off or just listen.

I've been working with Paul for a number of years. As my second business coach and advisor, I've found his words, questions and views invaluable. Paul is a fantastic listener, incredibly supportive and understanding and does what a strong business coach should do - ask the questions so you find the answers yourself.  There are many occasions, not just in business but personal as well, where I have turned to Paul as a sounding board. Always willing to be available, night or day 7 days a week. My gratitude towards him is eternal. There is a reason why he is one (if not the only) of the best coaches in the North West. If you are looking for someone to support your business development, a group that shares challenges, embraces successes and failures, it is worth a conversation with Paul.

I have worked with Paul for approximately 9 years in his capacity as a coach and mentor. Over that time we have faced into leading significant change projects, operational Covid response plans , an acquisition and digital transformation programme. Paul is expertly able to combine a wealth of business experience with strong coaching skills and a challenge mindset. He is in tune with the common challenges associated with operating a large Financial Services’ organisation and is also able to bring modern, broad perspectives to the table which, when coupled with structured tools and techniques, leads to strong action plans. Paul is very outcome focused and advocates a customer centric approach to problem solving in everything he does. His support has significantly helped me deliver strong results over the years and I would certainly recommend him to anyone in a similar position.

One of the best business decisions of my career was to join Paul and the TAB board. Paul is a fantastic Chairman and superb mentor who challenges you to raise the bar every time you meet be it within the board structure or on a one to one basis. At times running an SME is a lonely place so it’s extremely reassuring to know that within the TAB board we have an extremely tight knit team of critical friends/ Non exec directors for support. At each meeting I have met on average 4 business owners and Paul with each of the owners presenting an issue that they were dealing with, and I have taken some great advice along with many challenges. We have covered around 250 topics and each one of us has felt the pain and shared in the success of each others businesses. The positive effect goes way beyond Howorth, it touches everyone of our employees and reaches out into our supply chain, and clients. Linking up with Paul and TAB was one of the defining moments in the development of Howorth Air Technology and it will continue to have a major impact for years to come.

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.

I recommend Paul as a business coach wholeheartedly and without hesitation. For the best part of 10 years he brought order where there was chaos as I grappled with building a business.  Whether it’s staff or finance, heavy or light topics, a few choice words that are needed or a five-year plan, Paul is versatile and skilled at finding the right path. Sometimes it felt like I went in with a mind full of spaghetti, not knowing what I was doing, and came out of our meetings with a clear idea of the next steps and actions needed in the month ahead. Having that accountability of regular meetings kept me honest and became my central rhythm in managing a small business, with its endless dramas and surprises. His consistent patience, calmness, financial literacy and structured way of dissecting problems are highly impressive and invaluable to have on your side. The business has not only survived but expanded and enabled personal and professional development and milestones to be hit that I honestly couldn’t have done without Paul. Chapeaux to a class act.

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.

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