The Value Board

The Value Board is for MDs, CEOs and Owners of SME’s facing challenges and opportunities in their businesses, that could benefit from the available knowledge, experience and expertise of the other SME MDs, CEOs and Owners seated at the Value Board table.

Peer to Peer groups are not new and are increasing in number and popularity which is certainly good for smaller businesses, even the Government is planning to introduce a Peer Network scheme “aimed to enhance resilience and recovery from the impact of COVID-19, and enable SMEs to develop their potential for future growth and productivity”.

How is the Value Board different to other Peer to Peer Advisory Groups?

As Chair and Facilitator of The Value Board I bring to the table 20 years’ experience gained as a director on 3 UK Boards and a European Board, each operating in different industries, with personal responsibility peaking at £100m, 250 employees on 17 sites across 5 countries. I have had to walk the talk, live with the consequences of my decisions and the actions of my teams, day in and day out for many years.

Since 2014, I have worked with a variety of SME’s and facilitated peer to peer groups in the north, midlands and south, with member turnover generally between half a million and five million. Yet the challenges tend to be the same, just with a few more or a few less noughts attached.

“I would like to extend my personal thanks to YOU Michael for the continued professional support, leadership and understanding you give to the group both collectively and individually. In the early days of lockdown your financial remuneration was temporarily withdrawn, but you instantly realised that this group needed the support of “yourself” and that of the group more than ever – you just selflessly carried on with the job.”      David Rowe Director Torquay

You don’t have to go it alone nor do you need to have all the right answers…

When you run or own a business you have a responsibility to yourself, your family, your business and your employees – physically, emotionally and professionally. These feelings of responsibility tend to be more acute in SME’s where often the MD or CEO is the owner and main decision maker. No one else in the business tends to feel that same isolation when making key decisions. Anxiety and sleepless nights over an issue or required decision can take on enormous proportions of seemingly uncontrollable aspects, and you may not be able to nor like to share such concerns and confidentialities with those around you. Yet it can be hard to find reliable, unbiased, independent advice.

There may be skill gaps on your board limiting your development or vested family interests affecting your decisions. At times of challenge and opportunity it’s not enough to keep doing what you are doing and expect things to change, nor is it right that you should be doing everything, when others should be stepping up or be allowed to step up. Every business leader needs nourishment and regular time ON their business, away from their business, if they are going to maintain and improve their own performance, as well as the performance of their business.

The Value Board provides that, as well as removing any feelings of isolation, you get the space and support to validate your thinking, learn new ideas, discuss best practice, and benefit from the different perspectives of the other business leaders round the table, as well as hear what has and hasn’t worked for them in similar situations.

“Since joining, our annual turnover has increased by £300,000. I am not sure I can give the group credit for every penny,  but a good proportion of it has come from the encouragement, suggestions and ideas shared by the other group members”.   PFG – Managing Director

The Value Board isn’t for everyone but the boards that really work well are those with members that bring to the table the 3 C’s:

1. Confidentiality – what’s shared stays in the group.
2. Culture – one of trust, respect, generous in sharing and gracious in receiving.
3. Commitment – to attend, contribute and do what you say you will do.

Value Board Members are welcomed on the diversity of their business in terms of shape, size, and sector;  their individual experience and expertise, their willingness to share, and the balanced mix of individual strengths and personalities round the table to ensure confidentiality, relevance and value.

“Thank you very much Michael for encouraging me to take the opportunity of hosting an Educational Site Visit. It was in three words Stimulating, Inspiring, and thoroughly Rewarding, and despite my reservations I also found it to be a completely enjoyable experience. Looking at my business with fresh eyes with this knowledgeable group will I’m sure prove to be a very productive exercise. Many of the suggestions made will be put in place over the coming year, benefitting my business in the short and long term.”                          Jonathan Maidment – Managing Director Mortons Ltd

To hear more about the benefits The Value Board can bring to you and your business, please call me on 07817 305 122 or email me at michael@thevalueinnovator.co.uk to arrange a phone call.