The Institute for Independent Business

1. The Institute for Independent Business This slide presentation provides an overview of the IIB�s Business Support Program

2. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives

3. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide

4. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide Over 1000 in the United States and 20 in Minnesota

5. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide Over 1000 in the United States and 20 in Minnesota To become accredited one must: Be a mature business person

6. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide Over 1000 in the United States and 20 in Minnesota To become accredited one must: Be a mature business person Have held senior management positions over a number of years

7. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide Over 1000 in the United States and 20 in Minnesota To become accredited one must: Be a mature business person Have held senior management positions over a number of years Undergo a series of assessments - strengths and weaknesses

8. Who is the IIB? International accreditation body for senior executives Thousands of accredited associates worldwide Over 1000 in the United States and 20 in Minnesota To become accredited one must: Be a mature business person Have held senior management positions over a number of years Undergo a series of assessments - strengths and weaknesses Complete a resident business school program

9. Why the Business Support Program? The IIB created the BSP in recognition of the facts that: Being a small business owner is one of the toughest and loneliest positions in business

10. Why the Business Support Program? The IIB created the BSP in recognition of the facts that: Being a small business owner is one of the toughest and loneliest positions in business Public companies have a board of directors to go to for advice and counsel

11. Why the Business Support Program? The IIB created the BSP in recognition of the facts that: Being a small business owner is one of the toughest and loneliest positions in business Public companies have a board of directors to go to for advice and counsel Larger companies have staff specialist to provide advice

12. Why the Business Support Program? The IIB created the BSP in recognition of the facts that: Being a small business owner is one of the toughest and loneliest positions in business Public companies have a board of directors to go to for advice and counsel Larger companies have staff specialist to provide advice Small company owners may network with others in their industry but they are also potential competitors

13. Why the Business Support Program? The IIB created the BSP in recognition of the facts that: Being a small business owner is one of the toughest and loneliest positions in business Public companies have a board of directors to go to for advice and counsel Larger companies have staff specialist to provide advice Small company owners may network with others in their industry but they are also potential competitors Through the Business Support Program IIB Associates provide advisory services to small businesses

14. What is the Business Support Program? The BSP is designed to provide companies help when they can benefit from guidance, mentoring, and advice

15. What is the Business Support Program? The BSP is designed to provide companies help when they can benefit from guidance, mentoring, and advice Every IIB Executive Associate is required to donate some time each month to provide a free advisory session with small business owners to determine the value of their entering into a BSP

16. What differentiates the BSP? The BSP is different from other advisory services because of the network of associates

17. What differentiates the BSP? The BSP is different from other advisory services because of the network of associates No one advisor is an expert in all facets of running a business nor in all industries and it is unethical to represent oneself in that light

18. What differentiates the BSP? The BSP is different from other advisory services because of the network of associates No one advisor is an expert in all facets of running a business nor in all industries and it is unethical to represent oneself in that light Yet each advisor is knowledgeable and experienced enough to identify and document business problems and opportunities

19. What differentiates the BSP? The BSP is different from other advisory services because of the network of associates No one advisor is an expert in all facets of running a business nor in all industries and it is unethical to represent oneself in that light Yet each advisor is knowledgeable and experienced enough to identify and document business problems and opportunities Having documented a client�s business issue, sharing that issue with the other associates in search of answers brings results

20. What differentiates the BSP? The BSP is different from other advisory services because of the network of 4,000 associates No one advisor is an expert in all facets of running a business nor in all industries and it is unethical to represent oneself in that light Yet each advisor is knowledgeable and experienced enough to identify and document business problems and opportunities Having documented a client�s business issue, sharing that issue with the other 4,000 associates in search of answers brings results The power is in the network

21. Call Ahlstrom Associates if you are A business owner that would be willing to candidly discuss your business plans, problems, and concerns for a couple of hours free of charge