What is The Institute for Independent Business?

• The Institute for Independent Business is a world-wide, not-for-profit research, training and accreditation organization founded in 1984 to provide assistance to owners and managers of small businesses.  The Institute currently operates in 18 countries and has over 3,000 accredited Associates.

• The Institute originated and sponsors the Business Support Program to provide assistance to small businesses.  Under the Business Support Program a qualifying business can utilize the services of an experienced business advisor on an ongoing basis to help address opportunities and issues arising within and outside the business.
  On request, the Institute will send an accredited Associate for a no-cost discussion and assessment of the business.  At the recommendation of the Associate and following application by the business, the Institute can accept the business into the Business Support Program for an initial period of one year.
  During this year, the accredited Associate will work with the business owners and managers to identify and take advantage of opportunities and isolate and address issues.

How does my business qualify for the BSP?

• A qualifying business generally must have between 5 and 250 employees, have realistic prospects for success in the opinion of the Institute and of the Associate involved, and must be willing to work with the Associate for the initial period.
  To start the qualification process you must schedule an interview with an accredited Associate.  During the interview, the Associate will spend time with you, the owner/manager, discussing the business, its environment, its prospects, any issues or problems, and some possible courses of action.
  

What does "Accredited by The Institute for Independent Business" really mean?

• Experienced business managers and executives can apply to The Institute for Independent Business for accreditation of their skills and knowledge of business.  The Institute examines credentials and backgrounds, tests skills and knowledge, and provides training for candidates for accreditation.  Following completion of assessment and training, candidates are provisionally accredited until they have demonstrated their abilities to work with and bring value to small businesses.  Following this initial probationary period, the candidate is fully accredited by The Institute.

What do you mean "free consultation"?  Nothing is free.

• Accredited Associates are required by The Institute to devote a certain amount of time each month to provide free consultation to small business owners that request it.  This consultation takes the form of a sit-down discussion between owners and the Associate regarding the business.  During that discussion, the owner may raise any topic of concern and will receive the best advice that the Associate can give based on the discussion.  In many cases, this is sufficient for the business and the owner.  At the conclusion of the discussion, the Associate will explain the Business Support Program, his feeling as to the potential benefits to the business, and his opinion as to the liklihood that the business could qualify.