What is the work like?

As a business adviser or consultant, you would give independent advice and support to help new businesses to start up, and to
 encourage established small and medium-sized businesses to grow.

You might advise on a range of issues including finance, marketing, exporting and staff training. Your day-to-day tasks
would typically include:
looking at clients’ business ideas and analysing their potential helping clients to develop business plans advising on sources of finance and grants helping existing small businesses with problems such as finding ways to reduce costs or improve marketing referring clients to other sources of specialist advice if necessary networking with the local business community and enterprise organisations monitoring clients’ progress running advice workshops and seminars.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

To work as business adviser you will need proven experience and a good track record in business management. Most business advisers have run their own business, or worked in management, finance or human resources.

You will need to show a wide range of skills, including marketing, finance, planning and project management. Employers will usually be more interested in your skills and experience than your formal qualifications, although it may be helpful to have a business-related degree or professional qualification.

You will also need to get professional indemnity insurance. Contact the Institute of Business Consulting (IBC) for information

What skills and knowledge will I need?
experience of managing small or medium-sized businesses excellent written and spoken communication skills clear, objective and logical thinking awareness of current business issues and trends knowledge of local and national business support and funding initiatives a non-judgemental and positive approach IT skills good organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects at once the ability to work on your own initiative

What opportunities are there?

You could be employed by a local business support organisation, or a national network such as Business Link. Alternatively, you could work freelance under contract to one of these organisations.

Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, on employers' websites, and through the IBC’s magazines (available to members).