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Business support services in Edinburgh

96% positive rating from our members*

Thrive with other business owners

Business advisory boards

Discover a different kind of business support in Edinburgh.

Imagine having the backing of a group of like-minded business owners who come together to advise one another on their most pressing business challenges.

An inspired solution that has proven results - our advisory boards run every month in a safe, confidential environment and mean you don’t have to go it alone.

The boardroom, where business support services take place
A TAB business support service session in Edinburgh
A business support service session in Edinburgh
two men in a business support service session in Edinburgh

One-to-one business coaching

Keep focused, accountable and on track to achieve your business and personal goals.

To complement the advisory boards, members get a monthly one-to-one session with their TAB facilitator and coach.

Business Builder’s Blueprint

Have access to our exclusive strategic business planning process: The Business Builder’s Blueprint.

This toolkit is designed so you can focus on getting your business working for you.

Woman drinks mug after a business support service in Edinburgh
Woman on laptop after receiving a business support  service session in Edinburgh
A group of business owners sit around a table after a business support service session in Edinburgh
A team put their hands together after a business support service session in Edinburgh

TAB Connect

Share best practice with and seek help from like-minded individuals across the globe.

TAB operates in over 20 countries around the world, and through our exclusive online platform, business owners can collaborate with one another to solve their business challenges.

Edinburgh-Skyline

Your business coaches in and around Edinburgh

Andy owns and operates The Alternative Board in Edinburgh.

Having worked in varied roles, Andy brings a range of perspectives and approaches that can challenge and support any business owner to achieve their goals. His real passion is helping businesses get more focused and aligned on what’s important to them and their customers. Andy’s role with The Alternative Board allows him to do exactly that.

Andy is a graduate of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Materials Science which was later supplemented by an MBA.

He has over 25 years of commercial and sales leadership experience, including several overseas assignments, much of it gained within the energy sector. Andy’s expertise has been developed working for both large corporations and having spent over 10 years as a sales leader of a fast growth, high performing SME.

His specialist areas are sales leadership, strategy and business build, new market entry and growth of recurring revenue, as well as delivering in many diverse cultures. He has a particular interest in sales development and enabling top performance.

If you are based in Edinburgh and would like to explore how Andy and TAB can help you grow and develop your business, then please get in touch.

Following an early career in the agricultural industry, Steve has spent over 20 years in the technology sector, with a focus on retail, training, go to market, operations, marketing, events, and team development.

Including building his own Field marketing business to support clients in the technology sector, he created award winning field teams and unique solutions across many sectors to drive products in retail and beyond, across the UK and Europe.

He has a passion for getting the best from people. He loves helping them provide the best service to their customers via operational planning, training and development, and customer focus. He understands the many benefits of selecting the right staff from the start, building their skills and knowledge, and retaining them to help improve your business stability and costs.

With experience engaging with all levels of both local and global business, a strong operations background, a people centric work ethic, and the experience of what is involved in building your own company, Steve appreciates the opportunities and challenges business owners face.

If you are interested in how Steve and TAB can help you and your business, please get in touch.

Discover the benefits of our business support in Edinburgh

Start with you

Focus on what you want in life and how your business can help get you there.

Increase profitability

Be held accountable to meet your business targets.

Improve decisions

Take control of your decisions through peer support and proven planning tools

Make better time choices

Spend your time well by utilising the experience of others.

Become a better leader

Motivate your people with the guidance of peers and an expert coach.

Plan a successful exit

Get the best result for you with tailored, hands-on support.

Hear from our TAB members

"TAB has given me coaching sessions, focusing on the positive elements of my business and helping to grow and develop during what is probably the most difficult trading period we have encountered. TAB has also invited me to a monthly board meeting where I joined six existing members, all of whom have extensive business experience and have provided me with some invaluable advice, guidance and accountability."

Kelly Smith, Juice Personnel

"Having a Peer Board is an amazing asset to me. It’s a safe and supportive environment where you get the support of other business owners who are committed to your success. It’s allowing me to be candid and get different views on sorting out knotty problems."

Professor Deborah Eyre, High Performance Learning

"I always feel uplifted and more confident following a board meeting.  The challenges we face as business owners are invariably those shared by the other board members. Bringing them to the table puts them in perspective and usually provides several options on how to tackle them.  Support, being non-judgemental and really trying to understand each other's businesses help make the meetings fun, enjoyable and, most of all, invaluable to the growth and well-being of my own business.  The regular one-to-ones help build on this with tough constructive advice.  I would be lost without the support of TAB."

Jan Buckett , JMB Accounting

"TAB is an independent thought process, away from the influences and pressures of work. In the day-to-day job, you can get drawn into distractions, you often don’t have time to think, and you’re just firefighting problems. However, with TAB, getting out of the office and speaking with the board for the 3-4 hours we have together allows me to think more independently."

David Scalley, AJT Engineering

"I have a debt of gratitude to TAB after a 400% turnover boost. I can’t speak highly enough of The Alternative Board. It has made a huge difference to our agency. It’s something I would encourage business owners to think about. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve the growth we have without TAB."

Adam Bell, Moment

"Before TAB, I didn’t really have anyone I could talk to about business issues. Getting reassurance from my board on things I’m thinking of doing gives me more confidence to get on with it. I really value the openness of my board and facilitator, which allows me to say what I’m feeling and thinking.  I’m now making longer-term plans and decisions about the business.  As a result, I enjoy running the business more because I know we’re heading in the direction, rather than focusing on short-term fixes."

Geoff Hunt, Hey Group

FAQ's

TAB's business support in Edinburgh is an excellent choice for you and your business. Here are just three reasons why  business owners would benefit from TAB:

  • Our business coaches in Edinburgh have experience

    Between them, Andy and Steve have over 60 years expeience in the business world.  They both have the desire to help business owners in Edinburgh lead better lives and run stronger businesses.
  • TAB's business support starts with you

    Rather than focusing on your strategic or recruitment problems straight away, our services start with you, the business owner. We want to help you identify what you want from life, and then we can work with you to grow your business so you achieve that personal vision.

  • A combination of complementary services

    At TAB in Edinburgh, you don't just get business coaching, but those sessions are complemented really well by our advisory boards and our exclusive online strategic planning platform. This means through our support services, you'll have every avenue covered to grow your business and become a better leader.

Unlike traditional business meetings that many of us have experienced, a TAB board gives everyone equal time - equal time to discuss and seek help on their own challenge or opportunity. There is a structured process for the running of the meeting which means everyone also has the opportunity to give their own advice and opinion. We don't allow one person to 'hog' a meeting!

In combination with the TAB meeting, members also get access to our business coaching services.

The other business owners and leaders on your board will be very experienced and will have no vested interest in your business, other than a desire to help you. As a result, they'll give you impartial business advice based on real-world experience because often they will have faced similar challenges themselves. What's even greater is you get to do the same for them. Not only does the board provide accountability and expert advice, it becomes a mechanism for developing valuable friendships.

If you have decided you want to improve yourself and your business, but feel like you don't have the time, how will that change if you don't take action?

TAB encourages you to take time away from your business and benefit from the insight, experience, and wisdom of your TAB facilitator and your fellow board members. It's a chance to take a step back. This way, you can actually save time by making better decisions and learning from others.

Whilst all businesses are unique in some way, they still face many of the same major issues with time, people, strategy, money, vision and exit.

You are an expert in your sector, but we are all experts in business. The advantage of working with fellow business owners and leaders from diverse backgrounds is their ability to provide new perspectives and different ways to handle the same situation based on real world experience.

You will also get the opportunity to help others with their business growth, by offering your perspective and advice. It's a win-win!

We are confident you will get a return on investment for your monthly TAB membership fee. As we offer personalised business support services,  a conversation with your nearest TAB facilitator will guide you through the process and allow them to provide you with your bespoke quote.

We’re so confident in our service that we offer a money-back guarantee - if you don’t feel you’ve received value after three months of TAB membership, we’ll give your money straight back.

Put simply, no – a competitor cannot join your board. We have a comprehensive process which makes sure that you do not sit on a board with potential competitors. A key part of our screening process allows existing members to prevent new members from joining their board where they feel a conflict of interest could exist. This will guarantee no competitors join your group.

Some of our TAB facilitators offer the opportunity to attend a TAB Taster Board Meeting, giving you the chance to experience how TAB works and the value it can provide for you and your business. Equally, if there are places on an existing board and your facilitator thinks you'd be a good fit, they may invite you as a guest. Contact Steve or Andy to find out more.

Start your journey with TAB

Get in touch with Andy or Steve.

They will contact you to arrange an introductory meeting.

During which, you’ll chat about whether TAB business coaching is right for you and your business.

Attend your first TAB board meeting and coaching session to discover the power of peer support.

Find business support in Edinburgh by getting in touch.

There’s no obligation, only an opportunity to find out more.

Driving business growth through peer support

Thousands of business owners have experienced true growth through the business support services at TAB. 

Our services cover a plethora of business contexts including:

Sustaining growth

Satisfying stakeholders

Our business support success stories

All

Bridget's Journey from Tradition to Transformation with TAB
by Bridget Petty

Discover Bridget's remarkable journey from tradition to transformation with TAB, showcasing the power of mentorship, diverse perspectives, and community support for business success.

Strategic Innovation & Mentorship | Dev4 Online Success Story
by Gail Henderson

Learn how Gail Henderson overcame uncertainty with strategic innovation and mentorship with TAB. 

TAB offers solidarity and a great sounding board
by Matt Hamlin

Discover how Matt Hamlin, co-founder of Metron Group Ltd, transformed his business and is on track to achieve their desired 20% year-on-year growth.

From Struggle to Strength: Professor Deborah Eyre's TAB Journey
by Deborah Eyre

Explore how Professor Deborah Eyre, founder of High-Performance Learning, transformed her business and overcame challenges with the help of TAB's advisory board and strategic planning.

The TAB York Effect: Tripling PPS Ltd's Revenue in Record Time
by Joseph Fitzpatrick

Explore how The Alternative Board (TAB) York played a pivotal role in transforming PPS Ltd from a family-run janitorial supplies business into a market leader, tripling its revenue and workforce in just five years.

From Struggles to Triumph: Kerrell's Journey to SME Success through TAB
by Kerrell Blyth

Kerrell Blyth, Managing Director of NCS Ltd, turned her struggles into triumphs through her Leeds South TAB board membership.

The Power of Peer Support: From Bedroom Startup to £2.5M Turnover Powerhouse
by Sheri Irons

Sheri Irons, commercial director based in Aylesbury, talks about her experience with The Alternative Board (UK), leading to accelerated business growth.

Cema Vending Achieved Commercial Success with TAB's Support
by Simon Leadley

By working with The Alternative Board (UK), Simon Leadley from Cema Vending was able to achieve commercial success, which included launching two new brands, increasing turnover, and meeting the demand for healthy, fresh food options and premium coffee in workplaces.

StratPro with TAB holds our leaders to account
by Steven O'Brien

Steve O'Brien, CEO of software company, NewIcon Ltd talks about the experience of his team as they went through the StratPro Programme.

StratPro with TAB finally gave me a cohesive and collaborative team
by Stephen Attree

Stephen Attree, Managing Partner of MLP Law based in Manchester, talks about the experience of his team as they went through the StratPro Programme.

Time to think more independently
by David Scalley

David Scalley, MD of AJT Engineering shares how TAB has influenced better financial management, reporting, and people improvement in his business.

I've stopped doubting myself as a leader
by Ian Hazeldine

Customer success story about Ian Hazeldine who joined TAB and stopped doubting himself as a leader, and got to grips with people management and his finances. 

Peer support energised my business ambitions
by Skylar Atkinson

Customer success story about Skylar Atkinson at Belvoir Aberdeen, who has strengthened her business and brand after being part of a TAB board.

Selling my business quicker
by Hywel Parry

Customer success story about Hywel Parry, Director at Lime Tree Vets, who sold his business quicker and met his personal vision through the help of TAB. 

Finding the support infrastructure I was looking for
by Suzanne Lawson

Suzanne Lawson from Moorland Contract Group shares her business journey and how TAB was exactly the support she was looking for.

How TAB gave me a new lease of life
by Anna-Marie Eardley

Anna-Marie Eardley, Owner of Waterloo Quay Properties, tells us her story and how TAB gave her a new lease of life.

My debt of gratitude to TAB after 400% turnover boost
by Adam Bell

Adam Bell, director at marketing agency Moment, shares his story and his gratitude to TAB after helping him achieve a 400% turnover boost.

Growing in confidence as a leader
by Jolanta Jankowski

Read Jolanta's story about how joing a TAB Board has helped her to develop her role and confidence as the Operations Manager at her business.

Saving time and working smarter not harder
by Rob Watson

Customer success story about Rob Watson, business owner at ph9 Ltd, and how TAB has helped him to save time and make smarter decisions.

Becoming a better business leader
by Dr Stewart Desson

Success story about Dr Stewart Desson from Lumina Learning who became a better leader after joining a TAB Board.

Rediscovering myself as an individual
by Kirsty Davies-Chinnock

Kirsty-Davies Chinnock, Managing Director at PPS Ltd tells us how TAB helped her to rediscover herself and to meet her goals.

A catalyst to improved performance levels
by Jim Liptrot

Customer success story about Jim Liptrot, Business Owner at Howorth Group and how TAB was a catalyst to his business' improved performance.

Latest news and insights

Business Support Funds: What's Available in the UK (2024)

11 April 2024 | 5 minute read

This is a comprehensive guide to the support funds available for businesses in the UK. Learn which business support funds you could claim with this in-depth post.

Why you should never give away Equity when SME's raise finance

25 March 2024 | 2 minute read

Discover why giving away equity when raising funds for SMEs is a bad idea. Explore alternative options to maintain control and maximise growth potential.

Time Management: Theory and Practice 2024

25 March 2024 | 6 minute read

This is a comprehensive guide to time management, its theories and putting them into practice. Learn all about time management with this in-depth post.

*Stats based on a recent survey of 93 active TAB members