the alternative board
Membership Qualifications | Membership Benefits | Needs Questionnaire | FAQs | Typical Issues | How to Join
The Alternative Board TAB, is an international membership organization of thousands of CEOs, presidents, business owners and partners worldwide who are dedicated to improving their businesses. TAB organizes Boards of up to 12 non-competing companies who collectively have hundreds of years of business experience. Meeting monthly, guided by a Certified Facilitator, your fellow TAB Board members will help you redefine your role in your company and develop, and stay on target to meet and exceed your personal and business goals. Confidential frank discussions at TAB meetings help you determine what you need to change in your managerial and organizational approaches and open your eyes to new alternatives and opportunities.
Click picture below to see a video presentation about The Alternative Board TAB.
As you learn about the challenges of fellow members' businesses, you'll view things from a broader perspective - and you'll avoid mistakes by learning how other members faced and solved the same problems. Seventy-five to 80 percent of issues discussed at TAB Board Meetings involve topics that all privately owned businesses have in common. Because your board members are not from your industry, they are not locked into your way of thinking ...they can help you think "outside the box."
The Alternative Board TAB is a proven resource that more than pays for itself in measurable bottom line benefits. As a member of TAB you learn to deal more effectively with issues, resulting in greater business success for you and your organization.
Membership Qualifications
TAB is an exclusive membership organization dedicated to its members' businesses. In order to join you must have the following qualifications:
- You must be a decision maker in your organization with the authority to implement ideas suggested by your TAB Board. We don’t care whether your title is CEO, president, partner or you are the owner of the business, decision making is the key.
- You must have enough life and business experience to bring to the board to benefit other board members. TAB Boards are about give and take. If you are new to the business world and want to be a sponge, only benefiting from the TAB Board and unable to contribute, you will not qualify for membership.
- You must be willing to be benefited by your TAB Board. If you have been in business for many years and aren't looking to make any changes or improvements to your life or business, you will not qualify for membership.
Membership Benefits
In addition to all the benefits you receive from hundreds of years of business experience from your TAB Board members and Facilitator, you receive...
- One hour of Executive Coaching each month. Many business executives pay $350 to $500 per month for coaching but it is included with your TAB membership.
- The TAB Hotline provides each member with a network of TAB Facilitators and thousands of TAB Members across the country. Have an issue on which your board or facilitator wants expanded information? It can be posted to the TAB Hotline and results received nationwide in a matter of hours.
- Tips from the Top is a monthly newsletter focused on time and money saving ideas for leaders of privately owned businesses. Each month Allen Fishman, CEO and Founder of The Alternative Board TAB and Executive Editor of Tips from the Top, puts together Sales, Marketing, Management, Operations and Financial tips that will improve the results of your business.
- Special Discounts: The national TAB organization acts as a coop-buying group for TAB Members and negotiates savings not available to non-TAB members. These range from buying computers to business education tools to employee assessment testing and many things in between.
Needs Questionnaire
Please take a moment to review the business issues listed below. If you're like most business owners, you'll probably answer "Yes" to several items.
| YES | NO | I find it difficult to confide in my employees or even in my partners. |
| YES | NO | I know it's time to start delegating, but I'm not sure how to go about it. |
| YES | NO | My business is growing quicker than I'd planned. |
| YES | NO | Either my business or I have been at a stand still for too long. |
| YES | NO | I haven't positioned the company for today's economic situation. |
| YES | NO | We're a family business and have had little exposure to outside business techniques. |
| YES | NO | I can't get away on vacation or holiday and have the company run without me. |
| YES | NO | I'm spending too much time "putting out fires" instead of concentrating on the long range and big picture for my business. |
| YES | NO | My education and business experience may not be much help in key areas such as marketing, human resources, strategic planning, and other management skills. |
If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, contact us for a no-obligation consultation.
FAQs
What is The Alternative Board TAB?
The Alternative Board TAB is a membership organization of CEOs, presidents, partners and business owners who improve their businesses by attending monthly board meetings guided by Certified Facilitators trained in the TAB system.
How will I benefit from TAB?
At your monthly TAB Board Meeting, all members will discuss their problems and opportunities in a relaxed, confidential atmosphere. When you present a problem or opportunity to your group, the other members and your Certified TAB Facilitator will offer practical solutions (rather than theory) and advice. Members in each TAB Board collectively have hundreds of years of business experience. The diversity of backgrounds of the members will provide you with a cross-fertilization of ideas that you'll be able to apply to your business.
In which TAB Board will I be placed?
You'll be placed in a board that the Facilitator feels is the best match for you. Your TAB Facilitator will consider such factors as your company's annual sales volume and number of employees, as well as the type and complexity of your business. Each board generally has members operating businesses in several different business sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, retailing, construction and service.
Who will be my fellow TAB Board Members?
Each TAB Member operates a business in a field that doesn't compete with other members in his or her group. No board member will have a key vendor relationship with another board member. All will be CEOs, presidents, owners, or partners in their businesses. Each member approves you before joining and you get to approve them as well.
How do I know if I'm qualified to become a TAB Member?
Membership in TAB is by invitation only. A TAB Facilitator will meet with you to assess your business experience, your willingness to help others and openness to accepting advice and ideas.
What will my membership cost me in time and commitment?
You will spend 4 to 5 hours per month working on your business including the board meeting and the Executive Coaching session. There is no long term commitment requirement. We recommend you commit to a minimum of 3 months to get the benefits of the board meeting.
What are the membership dues?
TAB dues are determined based on the size of your company and the services that you select. The dues structure is discussed fully at the informational meeting or once your facilitator determines your needs. Your bottom line benefits should exceed the minimal amount you spend on membership.
Typical Issues and Meeting Topics
TAB Members bring up the entire spectrum of business problems, solutions and profit-making ideas at TAB Meetings. You probably can't bring up a topic that hasn't been covered but typical discussions include:
- Increasing sales and market share
- Developing a business or sales plan I can use
- Coping with an uncooperative partner
- Dealing with family members in the business
- Creating an exit strategy and a succession plan
- Handling burnout and balancing business and personal goals
- Outsourcing to reduce costs
- Hiring the right employees to reduce turnover
- Securing business financing
- Dealing with government regulations
- Motivating and rewarding key staff
- Identifying new products and services
How to join
Membership in The Alternative Board TAB is by invitation only. We recommend you attend an informational meeting to meet your TAB Facilitator and enjoy a "no-obligation" breakfast or lunch. Alternatively we will be happy to come to your place of business and give you a 40 minute presentation. If you have further interest, before an invitation to join is extended, a TAB Facilitator will spend an hour at your place of business interviewing you to determine your...
- business knowledge and ability to help other board members
- commitment to working on your company to ensure it continues to prosper
- business history including annual sales and number of employees
- vision for your company
- willingness to share advice and ideas.
Once you and your facilitator determine a good fit, each member of the TAB Board approves your application. Once they approve you, you are given an opportunity to review their bios to ensure a good fit for you.
Call or email us for more information and upcoming events.
402.926.2230 (Fax)
GREG VACEK, PRESIDENT
Tab Midlands
Business Improvement Services, Inc.
gregv@tabmidlands.com