The Institute for Independent Business (IIB) is a not-for-profit (non-profit) research, training and accreditation organization, it is not a consultancy.

 

Established in 1984 as the Institute for Independent British Business, the Institute was established to help Managing Directors / Owners (MDOs) of independent businesses - the majority of whom were asking for guidance and assistance. To enable effective support, in 1991 the Institute created the Consultancy Business Development Programme™. This enabled those trained and accredited to start and build their own successful consultancy practices.

 

The IIB Business Support Programme™ was introduced connecting the network of accredited Associates to provide practical advice that works™. The varying needs of MDOs were satisfied by the skills and experience from specialists. Accredited Associates also benefited (both for themselves and their clients) by becoming part of this exclusive network. Since 1995, as the Institute for Independent Business International, the network of accredited Associates, (IIB Alumni™) has been operating in over 40 countries supporting Managing Directors and Owners of independent businesses around the world.

 

Research carried out by the Institute and supported by numerous other academic institutions has highlighted the lack of independent and practical advice available to small and medium sized businesses. Building, running and growing a business is very challenging - and MDOs often find themselves immersed in areas for which they do not have the right skills or resources.

 

The Institute supports these business needs by selecting, training, accrediting and facilitating a growing network of IIB Alumni around the world. Accredited by the Institute, they independently deliver the support needed.

Graduating from the Institute's residential training and becoming part of the network of accredited Associates, IIB Alumni are encouraged to collaborate and develop by the Institute. IIB Alumni are however operationally by Associates for Associates. This is a phenomenal and exclusive resource of talent, specialist skills, information, contacts and support for independent businesses and their owners.

 

Thousands of experienced executives from every type of business discipline have been trained by the Institute and help small to medium sized businesses. Only accredited Associates within the IIB Alumni™ are qualified to provide the unique and highly successful IIB Business Support Programme™ to independent businesses.

 

The Institute developed the IIB Business Support Programme™ specifically to meet the needs of independent businesses. The type and level of support needed within the IIB Business Support Programme™ is customised to meet the requirements and objectives of each individual business.

 

The Programme is based on a proven model from which countless businesses across the world have benefited. In order to determine if a business qualifies for support, a meeting is arranged by an accredited Associate with the Managing Director/Owner/Proprietor, to confidentially discuss the opportunities and challenges facing their business. The first meeting is free of charge and there is no obligation whatsoever - it is a private meeting to review all aspects of their business.

 

If any ideas or improvement areas are immediately identified the accredited Associate may be able to point the business in the right direction for assistance there and then. In many instances the businesses recognize a number of areas in which support is required and the Associate will call on specialists within the wider community of Associates accredited by the Institute to help solve specific issues.

This way practical advice that works™ can be made available to assist the owners and directors of small to medium sized business in virtually every way possible.

 

There is a growing need in business, both large and small, to measure the performance of the people in an organisation. Ground-breaking research and study into human performance over the last three decades has shown the need for practitioners who understand and maximise human potential. The Institute recognised this need and has responded by developing the IIB Coaching Support Programme™ - specifically to meet the needs of large, medium and small businesses alike.

 

The Institute has expanded its education programs with the Executive CoachBusiness Development Programme™, and IIB Coaching SupportProgramme™ methodology, to meet the needs of executives of large corporations and HR (Human Resource) Directors, as well as independent business owners.

 

The executive coaching model developed by the Institute is customised to meet the requirements and objectives of each client or coachee, on an entirely individual basis.

The IIB Coaching Support Programme™, like the IIB Business SupportProgramme™ is based on a highly successful and proven methodology from which countless businesses and their owners and employees across the world have benefited. In order to determine if a company or business qualifies for such support, a meeting is arranged by an accredited Associate (either an Executive Coach or an Executive Associate), with the Managing Director, Owner or Proprietor, to confidentially discuss the opportunities and challenges facing their business. The first meeting is free of charge and there is no obligation whatsoever - it is a private meeting with a senior business professional accredited by the Institute, to review all aspects of their business.

 

For coaching requirements, at the conclusion of that meeting, the accredited Associate may recommend specific solutions, coaching or training programs that will address the human performance needs of that organisation. In many instances business leaders recognise some or a number of areas in which support is needed and so the accredited Associate will call on specialists within the IIB Alumni™. This is the wider community of experienced executives around the world who have graduated from one of the Institute’s education programs and has been accredited by the Institute to apply the relevant methodology to help solve specific issues.

This way, practical advice that works™ can be made available to assist executives of large corporations, HR Directors, as well as independent business directors / owners in virtually every way possible.

Program was insightful and enjoyable.

Jason Arnold, USA, September 2010

 

The process - very well explained and delivered - giving me a thorough understanding of both why it works and how to best apply it for maximum benefit.

Content of presentations brilliantly delivered.

"Exactly what it says on the tin" I feel very confident about both delivering this program successfully and building an independent practice of my own.

Nick McDonald, England, September 2010

 

The resources and backup facilities are phenomenal, mass email, regional and national structures.

Assistance is but a phone call away.

The concept/program encourages you to approach it in an objective manner.

The program provides a structured approach to developing a business concept.

David Crystal, South Africa, August 2010

 

I wish to compliment the Institute for setting up this Training Program (DLM & RBS) it has been the best training I have experienced so far.

I am convinced the BSP will work and I will get the benefit of the effort I put in.

I appreciate the contents of the program and especially the portion of typical British humor brought in the RBS.

Arthur Reijnen, Netherlands, June 2010

 

The training was phenomenal, content exactly the information I did not have.

Presenters were knowledgeable and energetic.

It was great meeting other associates such as myself with the same profile, fears and expectations, certainly a community.

Annemarie van der Walt, South Africa, June 2010

 

Accreditation brings an organization of international repute and huge professional resources and expertise to me as an individual.

The RBS has re-energised me.

I am truly impressed and thankful – I shall follow IIB methods fully.

I am committed to returning the faith and trust which IIB has placed in me.

David Gray, Scotland, March 2010

 

The programme delivered on what it said it would “How to develop my consultancy”.

The RBS definitely delivered, the course structure and content was superb and I am leaving with more confidence than when I arrived. Thank you.

Paula Hajek, Australia, March 2010

 

Prior to the RBS, closing the sale was an area where I needed guidance, through the program this has been achieved.

Knowing what I know now, there’s no way I could achieve the same results working on my own. The IIB is the way forward for me.

The knowledge from the RBS has made me change my marketing plan for the better.

Malcolm Burr, England, March 2010

 

Enormously beneficial for a non sales and marketing person.

Great Methodology.

The guys I mixed with on the RBS have been tremendous, lifelong friends and colleagues.

Peter Hocknell, South Africa, January 2010

 

The network of associates and the interaction of Specialist/Generalist is a fantastic model that empowers us to tackle all business problems; far above what we could have been able to tackle on our own.

The sales process and personal skills presented enables you to undertake sales and marketing of your business in a professional manner.

Steve Kavanagh, Australia, December 2009

 

RBS pragmatic good content, good lectures.

Total appearance and exposure of IIB during the application period gives a lot of confidence.

Working in the group during RBS gives a little bit of insight about the possibilities from the total IIB network.

IIB standing far out in comparison to other competitors.

Rob Langendoen, Netherlands, December 2009

 

All speakers were knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic.

Could not imagine starting my consultancy without the benefit of the RBS and all the material provided.

Having the school here in England with associate candidates from other countries was invaluable.

Barry Kotar, USA, November 2009

 

The RBS was well designed and covered everything in detail. It was also a fair balance between lecturing and practice.

Mats Folkesson, Sweden, November 2009

Very high standard of presentation and content which gives a very positive impression of the BSP and IIB.

Peter Schofield, England, October 2009