Encouraging greater collaboration between business owners in 2022

Ed Reid, MD of The Alternative Board (UK), reflects on 2021 and explains how TAB is looking to take business owner collaboration further this year

The Alternative Board (TAB) is the world’s largest SME peer-to-peer supporting and business coaching franchise and has been in operation for over 30 years. Heading up the UK operations, Ed Reid has been delighted with the developments the community of franchisees has made in the last 12 months.

Ed said: “At TAB, we ensure all our members (the business owners we help) spend part of December reflecting on the year that’s ending. This review includes what’s gone well, what areas do they need to improve on, and how do they want their role to change in the following year.”

Undergoing this process, one TAB member said: “Taking in other members’ experiences this year has helped me to reflect on my own situation. This year I have had more motivation to resolve issues than I did before.”

Another said that a key decision they made, because of being part of TAB, saved the business.

The value TAB members get through collaborating with other business owners like themselves is something Ed was reflecting on during his own year-end review. He praised the deep and meaningful relationships that members develop with each other around their TAB board tables, all expertly facilitated by TAB franchisees.

He said: “This collaboration between like-minded business owners is what makes TAB special. I’d like to do more this year to encourage greater collaboration amongst our members nationally and internationally across our 23 counties. After a wildly successful virtual conference last year, it would be fantastic to see more of this happening in 2022, alongside some face-to-face events.”

When asked about TAB UK’s 2021 highlights, Ed noted the continued growth of the business, which covered everything from top- and bottom-line results, recruiting for the head office team, and the fantastic satisfaction levels of the franchisees. He also highlighted the business’ award nominations, especially placing in the national top three of the best B2B franchises in the industry-leading Workbuzz survey.

Referring to another 2021 highlight, Ed said: “I am thrilled that we have moved to a new fit-for-the-future office in Leeds from our previous home in Harrogate. We’ve provided an exceptional working environment for our equally exceptional HQ team to thrive.”

Above all, Ed is excited to see the TAB franchisee community grow this year: “Our franchisees are hugely impressive; they help business owners run better businesses and lead more fulfilling lives. Very few people can do this well. The more franchisees we get on board, the more business owners’ lives are being changed for the better.”

Image: TAB UK community at a lifelong learning event in September 2021