The Institute for Independent Business is a not-for-profit international accreditation body for senior business executives from every type of business imaginable. There are over 2,000 executives carrying this accreditation.

To be qualified to carry this accreditation, each executive needs to be a mature business person who has held senior executive positions in business over a number of years. Having proved that, each executive is then put through a number of assessments to fully identify strengths and weaknesses, and ensure that they are really experienced enough to visit with owners to discuss business issues.

The Institute created a program to assist small businesses called the Business Support Plan. The Business Support Plan requires senior business executives who carry the Institute's accreditation to donate a certain amount of time each month to business owners to talk over future plans, concerns or problems they may be facing. If after this free consultation, a business owner wishes to work on issues relevant to their business, and if the company qualifies for sponsorship by the IIB, an associate can work with the business owner at reduced rates and with access to Institute resources.

Small businesses often operate in isolation without the network of contacts and information available to large companies. Small business owners and managers typically lack the fundamental skills in key aspects of management that are required to develop a truly successful business. Organizations formed to supply help and information to businesses are poorly designed and inaccessible for most small-to-medium sized enterprises. They are also largely governmental, bureaucratic and remote in nature. The Institute attempts to fill this gap by offering a single reference point where businesses could obtain relevant information and support.

Typically, the Business Support Plan runs on a month-to-month contractual basis to assist a company in any aspect necessary during that time period. There are a large variety of business topics that can be addressed.

• Sales, Marketing and Business Development
• Increasing Profitability/Cash flow
• Business Expansion/New Business Plans
• Funding and Financing
• Strategic Planning & Implementation
• Business Process Improvement
• Manufacturing Improvement
• Logistics/Supply Chain Issues
• IT and E-Commerce Planning & Implementation
• HR & Employee Benefits Issues
• Employee/Management Development & Training
• Corporate Legal & Insurance Issues
• Business and Marketing Plans
• Organizational Development and Restructure
• Hands-on Implementation Assistance
• Employee Relations
• General Advisory Services
• In-House Training Services
• Funding Search Services
• Board Development and Relations
• Customer and Supplier Relations
• Customer Base Expansion
• Service Expansion
• Plans to Increase Cash Flow and Profitability
• Improved Sales Techniques and Training
• Time Management
• Exit and/or Succession Strategies