Saturday, August 9, 2014

Start a BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD

This Blog has been quite popular for all in business.  I am revising it somewhat to better fit business goals of today.  For those who are just starting a business a good place to start is the Small Business Association.

ADVISORY BOARDS

An Advisory Board is a group of people (can be as small as 4) with diversified interests and opinions and different types of businesses. The group can meet once a month or maybe every other month for about 2 hrs. ea. meeting. Each person has a chance to speak and should prepare something like the previous month's *Accomplishments, Challenges and Goals. (See below)  A Moderator for each meeting can be chosen to manage the division of time.  When you start your Advisory Board set down some rules to begin, so that the purpose is clear to the members.  Limit the number in your group so that each member will have enough time to address the issues to be discussed.  I would say as small as 4 to no larger than 10 members.  Make it a commitment for each member to attend.

BENEFITS:

Talking with others in business who can:
* be supportive
* give unbiased ideas and help
* share your successes and celebrate your accomplishments
* understand your strengths and weaknesses
* bring fresh, new ideas to the table
* give you socialization with others in business
* help expand your business and meet personal goals
* keep you updated on other businesses or New business ideas
* give YOU the opportunity to help others with your good ideas and support

The Group becomes your Business Family. You come back to your business energized and with a new perspective and creative ideas. I had been in a group for over 18 years and found it to be one of the least expensive, most helpful things I had done for ME and for my Business and Personal development. Our group has met in business rooms, our homes, library private rooms and now with 4 of us we meet in a conveniently located restaurant that is not very busy and we each purchase a meal and take turns talking about our business and personal life, following the Accomplishments, Challenges and Goals format.  (See below)

Form a Group of dedicated people who will be honest with you about their business and yours. STAY on TRACK at the meetings and again make it a commitment. Please comment if you need more help with this idea!

"You don't get any rewards out of this life unless you make an investment"

ACCOMPLISHMENTS -- Write down your accomplishments for the previous month. ie-rentals, sales, new brochure, a good business contact, whatever you feel made your month better. Brag some!  It can be something that has improved or added to your business or something that has added to your personal life.
CHALLENGES: --write down things that became a challenge for you during your previous month. ie. weather, a difficult customer, something you need help figuring out like a new idea or concept. Maybe it is problems with children, another business or YOU just not keeping on task. Admit your shortcomings and work on them and share your challenges---others can give you some help and support. You would be amazed at how others will brainstorm for you. That is how my previous Business of 21 years (which was recently sold), was developed. I developed ideas with my Advisory Board partners. 
GOALS: These should be specific, attainable goals for the upcoming week, month or quarter. It is best if your group can meet once a month.  Again if you are doing this "on your own", designate a particular time to do this weekly and/or monthly to help you assess your business strategies.

"Although no one can go back in time and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.  Strive for Progress, not Perfection!"

Your comments are appreciated!

Sincerely,

Marty Miller    www.homeandhealthtips.com/    Entrepreneur, Retired Business Owner, Business Coach, Writer & Artist