Business advisers give independent advice to small and medium-sized businesses. They aim to help new businesses start up, and to encourage established businesses to grow and become more competitive.

Business advisers:

• analyse the client's business to understand its current performance and future potential
• help and advise new businesses, for example by developing business plans and advising on sources of finance and grants 
• help businesses to investigate competitors and develop solutions to improve costs, productivity and procedures
• give straightforward advice, or identify and recommend specialist services that can help and support the business
• network with enterprise organisations, the local business community and companies that supply specialist support services
• monitor the client's progress towards their business aims and targets.

Business advisers may specialise in a number of areas which can include:

• business start-up
• marketing, selling and exporting
• business planning and growth
• training 
• design and innovation
• quality
• IT needs
• finance.

Advisers usually work for business enterprise initiatives, such as Business Link in England, Business Eye in Wales or in Scottish Enterprise’s network of local enterprise companies.

Hours and Environment

Business advisers normally work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may sometimes need to attend meetings or networking events in the evenings or at weekends.

They work indoors, either at their own office base or at clients' premises. They often travel around their local area to visit clients or suppliers, so a driving licence is useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a business adviser you should:

• have a lot of experience in managing and marketing small or medium-sized businesses
• have excellent written and spoken communication skills
• be able to analyse and think clearly and logically
• have excellent financial and business knowledge, and be aware of current business issues and trends
• know about local, national and European business support initiatives and funding
• have an objective, non-judgemental and positive approach
• be computer literate
• be able to manage several projects at once
• be able to work with minimum supervision.

Entry

There are no set entry qualifications, but you will be expected to have a successful track record in business management. You will need to show a wide range of business-related knowledge and skills, including marketing, finance, business planning, project management and knowledge of business practices.

Many business advisers have a degree or a professional qualification in a business-related subject. However, the main requirement for working as a business adviser is substantial business experience, usually gained through running your own business, or working in management, human resources, marketing or finance.

You will usually need to get professional indemnity insurance - contact the Institute of Business Advisers (IBA) for more information.

Training

You will usually have initial on-the-job training, followed by further short courses for continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career.

You can work towards NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Business Advice. Some universities offer postgraduate courses in business coaching and mentoring, which may also be useful for business advisors.

The Institute of Business Advisers (IBA) offers a range of training courses and workshops for new and experienced business advisers, including:

• business counselling skills
• business advisory skills
• marketing for business advisers
• finance for business advisers
• business mentoring.

To become a full member of the IBA, you will need NVQ/SVQ Level 4 in Business Advice or an equivalent qualification, and to be committed to ongoing CPD. If you have not yet achieved a level 4 qualification in business advice, you can join the IBA at Affiliate or Associate level and take further training. See the IBA website for more details on membership and training.

Opportunities

Business advisers are either employed or self-employed under contract with the local Business Link in England, Business Eye in Wales, or in Scottish Enterprise's network of local economic centres.

There are opportunities for promotion to team manager, or to become a self-employed specialist consultant.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Personal business advisers usually earn £18,000 to £27,000 a year.
Many advisers are self-employed, and charge a daily rate of £140 or more.

Further information

Tel: 0845 607 8787 Response House
Queen Street North
Chesterfield
S41 9AB
Tel: 01246 453322 Tel: 08457 969798 Tel: 0845 600 9006