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Exeter

Business support services in Exeter

96% positive rating from our members*

Thrive with other business owners

Business advisory boards

Discover a different kind of business support in Exeter.

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.

 Empty business advisory boardroom
A TAB business support service session in Exeter
A business support service session in Exeter
two men in a business support service session in Exeter

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

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.

Exeter

Your TAB business coaches in Exeter

I am the owner of The Alternative Board in Exeter.

At heart, I am a small business owner. Both in terms of experience and temperament. I understand the intense rewards, and, also the frustrations, of running your own company. I empathise with anyone doing so.

For almost 20 years I was co-owner and Senior Partner of a London-based market research agency. Recently, I sold it to another agency. As Senior Partner, I was responsible for key aspects of the business, including planning, finance, sales and marketing, operations, and personnel.

My experience includes winning projects and nurturing key accounts with major MNCs like BT, RS Components, and Google, implementing a wide range of internal processes – enabling ISO compliance – and extensive mentoring of staff. I have degrees in Politics and Computing Science and am a Certified Member of the UK Market Research Society.

Having sold my business, I took time out and travelled with my family. When it came to my next role, I knew I wanted to help small business owners. The Alternative Board allows me to do just that. I saw at once the value of accessing peer board advice, private coaching and strategic tools.

One of my key motivations is for my family to be able to live in a healthy environment, surrounded by beautiful countryside and coast. I’m therefore delighted to be able to bring the benefits of TAB to the business community in and around Exeter.  `

If you’d like to hear more about those benefits, please get in touch.

Discover the benefits of our business support in Exeter

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.

According to Sage.com, 93% of small and medium sized businesses acknowledge that mentoring can help them to succeed. External business support can be the difference to take your business to the new level.

Hear from our Exeter members

Working with Rick has really helped me kick my business on. Highly recommended.

Richard Forshaw-Smith, MD, RFS Marketing

Rick has helped me hugely through what has been an extremely difficult time for both the business and for me personally. When you're running a business, it's easy to think that you are the only one meeting challenges but being part of the board makes you realise that that is definitely not the case.

I have received some great advice on my pain points from the other board members and I find it so valuable to be able to put my ideas and problems to people working outside of the business and industry. I have put in place many of the solutions given to me by the board and I know we are a stronger company as a result.

Rick has also helped me to put strategic plans in place to focus on moving the business forward in a direction that is going to be good for me personally as well as for the business. The suite of online tools available help to keep me accountable and I am thoroughly enjoying being able to look back at the progress we have made so far.

Rick listens, guides and supports me in finding the right path to pursue both professionally and personally and I would highly recommend working with him and TAB.

Sophie Grafton, Mystery Shoppers Ltd

I've been part of TAB with Rick as my facilitator since May 2021. Initially, I was sceptical about the cost-benefit of joining, but it's been a precious experience. Our group of business owners brings both a complementary and, at the same time, diverse perspective, and I always have at least one gem of an idea or knowledge. Rick is a great facilitator, keeping people on track and offering wisdom when necessary. The one-to-one meetings are also really valuable, ensuring that I step back from my business and view it objectively while keeping me accountable. Monthly meetings keep me on track, moving the business forward the whole time.

 

 

Graham Higgins, MD, Cotswold Baby Co

Working with Rick Dent and the TAB board has been a fantastic opportunity for myself and my organisation to gain clarity in our strategic planning.

Rick has a great ability to tease out information from you so you can formulate a plan moving forward. The one-to-one sessions with Rick provide structure and I always leave with a call to action list, these sessions are invaluable.

The TAB board provide a safe confidential environment to discuss any issues you are facing within your business with likeminded associates. You gain an insight into what works for others and provide each other with tips and tools to overcome any internal problems.

Personally, it has provided a clear pathway and my business has gone from strength to strength since I became a member of the TAB board.

Dawn Dines, SOS Global
Working with Rick has really helped clarify my thinking, and I get a lot of value out of the TAB sessions, both individual and group!
Katie May, MD, Roots Creative Marketing

Rick is simply a great coach and facilitator - impartial and yet incredibly supportive. After a session with Rick, you have a clear action list and feel confident in your decision-making. The growth of our business has no doubt been directly related to the work we’ve achieved and the accountability we have to our goals thanks to Rick.

Lucy Robarts-Arnold, gm-design

Personally, it has provided a clear pathway and my business has gone from strength to strength since I became a member of the TAB board.

Dawn Dines, SOS Global
I've been part of TAB with Rick as my facilitator since May 2021. Initially, I was sceptical about the cost-benefit of joining, but it's been a valuable experience. Our group of business owners brings both a complementary and, at the same time, diverse perspective, and I always have at least one gem of an idea or knowledge. Rick is a great facilitator, keeping people on track and offering wisdom when necessary. The one-to-one meetings are also really valuable, ensuring that I step back from my business and view it objectively while keeping me accountable. Monthly meetings keep me on track, moving the business forward the whole time.
Olivia Cooper, MD, Agri-Hub

Rick and The Alternative Board. Well, what can I say? He has a knack of putting together groups that support each other, hold each other accountable and raise each other up. They reflect all the best bits of yourself and help you grow, but give you space to just be when you're struggling.

In Rick's 121's, I'm able to go through everything so calmly and methodically, helping me to feel in control, and like everything is achievable.

On the boards everything comes together, and each person has an angle that allows them to step back and see your own challenge in a way that you cannot. Rick facilitates these effortlessly.

I was not ready for how much being part of one of Rick's boards would change my life, and the way I view myself.

Nicole Windley, Broadoak Studios

I've worked with Rick and other local business owners over the past two years as part of a TAB board. It has had a positive impact on our business and on my role as the CEO. Rick has been an expert facilitator of the board and has provided valuable guidance and support to me in one-to-one sessions, asking all the right questions to help me keep the company on the right track. The board has provided useful advice on various topics, from HR to marketing, strategy, and planning. I can't overstate the value of getting direct advice and challenges from people who have 'been there and done that'. I recommend Rick's services and the board to people in a similar position.

Michael McAndrew, MD, Third Sector Design

FAQ's

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

  • Our business coach in Exeter has experience

    Rick Dent is a seasoned business professional who, for almost 20 years, owned and ran his own business based in London. As well as his experience, Rick has the passion of helping small business owners thrive in their business and their personal lives. 
  • 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 Exeter, you don't just get business coaching, but those sessions are complemented really well with 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. Find your nearest TAB Facilitator to get the conversation started!

Start your journey with TAB

Get in touch with Rick.

He 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 Exeter 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.

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