The Professional Business Advisor [ETF]

The Professional Business Advisor (PBA) is a specialist training programme designed to build the competencies (knowledge, skills, attitude & behaviour) of the client engaging staff of Business Development Agencies. Equally, it is appropriate for any personnel working in the field of Advising, Facilitating or Mentoring SME Managers to optimise the performance of their businesses.

Following a rigorous peer review in 2015, PBA was classified by the EU’s Training Foundation (ETF) as an “International Best Practice Programme”. Delivered by experienced and well qualified trainers in the specialist field of SME Development, PBA has been enjoyed by participants in several Countries.

This programme is suitable for any personnel working in the field of Advising, Facilitating or Mentoring SME Managers to optimise the performance of their businesses.

On completion of the training participants will have:

1. A good understanding of the SME sector and SME Management behaviours and needs.
2. An excellent understanding of the holistic business model as a framework for business performance, analysis and planning.
3. Significantly improved ability to identify ”value added” opportunities for your clients.
4. Confidence to engage in business discussion with clients about performance and development.
5. A good understanding of the key disciplines of business.
6. A good understanding of the process of SME growth and development of the process of facilitating SME Management thinking and decision making.
7. Completed a work-book assignment/Client Case Study to the standard required to be awarded the “Advanced Certificate in Client Business Development”.

The Programme will be delivered using a mix of methods which have been tried and tested by the delivery team over the past ten years. These include:

1. Delivery via Zoom or another suitable platform. Optimum Results Ltd has developed the capability to deliver highly effective training interventions and have been able to use the full functionality of Zoom/ Microsoft Teams to enhance the experience for Participants. Confidentiality can be maintained using individual Breakout Rooms where Participants can talk on a one-to-one basis with the Trainer as required.
2. On-site Delivery at your business premises or at our state-of-the-art training rooms

7 full day workshops will be completed over a period of time to suit your schedule.

This programme consists of the below modules:

Module 1 – The SME World/The role of the Advisor
– The World of the Entrepreneur

– SME Owner Managers

– Developing Open Relationships

– Ownership and Bonding Management

– Tips, Tools, Templates and Records

– Managing Client Engagement

Module 2 – Strategic Planning/Leadership/Business Planning (Role Play 1)
– Strategic Planning for SME’s

– Cascading the Plan to Operational Level

– Business Plans that Work Leading

– Managing the Implementation Process

– Role Play

Module 3 – Business Analysis & Governance
– Analysing the Business

– Analysis Models

– Holistic Business Model

– Case Study

Module 4 – Business Finance

– Understanding the Financial Cycle

– Reading Financial Reports

– Costing and Pricing

– Analysing Accounts Exercise

Module 5 – HR & People

– Legal Implications of Employing People

– Managing People in SME Environment

– Monitoring Performance

– Performance Management

Module 6 – Communication & Marketing

– Optimising Business Performance

– Marketing Planning for SME’s

– Developing Value Propositions

– eMarketing and Selling

– Evaluating Impact of Marketing Investment

Module 7 – Operations, Quality Supply Chain/Innovation

– Process Planning

– Sourcing and Managing Supply Chain

– Quality Systems and Processes

– Introducing Innovation

– Efficiency Monitoring and Planning

Workshop 8 – Personal Development

– (Role Play 2)

– Personal Action Plans

– Converting Learning Into Action

– Time and Resource Management

– Role Play 2

– Evaluation