Chris Thom, Thom Allstate Insurance Agency of Monterey

I have to admit I was a bit of a skeptic when I was first approached to consider becoming a member of The Alternative Board (TAB). The notion of disclosing all my information to a group of people and allowing them to pick apart my way of doing business just seemed plain crazy! My facilitator coerced me into attending a few meetings to “get my feet wet” so to speak and see how the business roundtable planning works. After signing an extensive non-disclosure form, which was reassuring if I were to join, the discussion was focused directly at the business owners. There was a range of things that evolved in the meeting, thought provoking quotes to a business book summary that fell in line with a predetermined topic for that months meeting. The final and likely the most valuable part of the TAB board meeting was the feedback on critical issues presented by each board member to the group. I was quite impressed with the candor that was expressed between the TAB board members. Each member held the other accountable for the goals and deadlines set the prior month. It resembled a Board of Directors for a major corporation holding the CEO and CFO and the likes to their to their numbers to drive the company’s stock price.

Now that I am a member of TAB and have been for over two years I am glad that I have been affiliated with this great organization. Where else can you have the resource of 6-10 other business owners that take a fresh unbiased look at your business and hold you accountable when no one else can or will? The other great benefit of TAB would be the private sessions that you have with your facilitator. They give a fresh perspective to your business. Sometimes a third party looking in can see things that you have stepped over many times. He or she also spends time with you developing a One Page Business Plan. (OPBP) This is a great tool that places you and all your employees on the same path to success. It develops a vision, mission statement, objectives, strategies and action plans. All which are essential to a business executing their business plan effectively and efficiently.

I recently shared my planning with my organization. (I am an insurance agent with a major carrier) Upon seeing the planning that I have done, they asked me to speak to the top 5% of the agents in CA concerning this topic and business planning. It also has opened doors for me to expand my client base with the company when agents retire. They see the importance of planning. I am glad I did.

Now the $100,000 question. How has TAB changed my life. I think there are many ways that my business and life have been touched by TAB. My profits are up dramatically over the last two years. I don’t shoot from the hip or fly by the seat of my pants. There are deadlines on programs and campaigns. My employees are always on the same page and understand what is expected of them.

The number one change is the stress level has dropped dramatically. A well oiled machine only needs tune ups. A poorly maintained machine ends up breaking down by the side of the road, while the other businesses pass them by.

Carrie Theis, GM and Partner, The Hofsas House of Carmel

I co-own and operate a 38-room boutique inn called the Hofsas House that is located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It is a family business that was started in the 1940s by my grandmother, Donna Hofsas. I came here seven years ago to run the business and I found that I needed some input from other business owners but did not want to approach my competitors. I wanted to go outside the family for new and unique ideas. I had questions and issues that I wanted feedback on from other business owners but was not a part of a close working group.

Along came TAB. Here is a forum of experienced business owners that I could bounce ideas off of and get honest feedback. They are not my competitors so no worries there. It is a safe and comfortable setting, one of confidentiality and support. There is a level of commitment felt by all the participants since you are devoting four hours a month to strategy and planning of your business. The TAB team holds you to your commitments so that you follow-thru with the ideas and suggestions so they become integrated into your business.

An added bonus of TAB is the referral business from your team members. Your TAB team knows how you run your business so there is a level of trust that develops between members; they know you will take care of their business associates/customers.

Robert Nicely, President and CEO, Carmel Building & Design

I became a business owner, as many people do, by accident. I was a good carpenter and had management experience in the construction industry. I moved into a management role in a small construction company to fill a large organizational void – in other words, no one in the company was organized. After a while I acquired stock in the company, a while later the majority owner wanted to retire and I had the opportunity to buy the rest of the shares. Great! Only now I need to know how to run the whole company.

I had some forewarning that this would happen and I was searching desperately for a peer group or classes or something that would be a resource for me as I struggled to succeed in this venture. I needed information but I didn’t have time to sit through laborious college classes. I needed to be able to talk to people who would have the experience and information I needed but I was already spending 60 hours a week at work and didn’t exactly spend the rest of my time “at the club” hobnobbing with other business owners. What could the answer possibly be?

At just around this time a gentleman named Bob Kramer happened to stop by my office to share that he was a “TAB facilitator” and that he had room in groups that were forming in our area. I was in the middle of negotiating a buy/sell agreement with my partner and was a matter of months from being on my own in the administration of my company. Furthermore, as I said before, our company had never been even close to being a well-oiled machine.

That was a little over three years ago. What was then a somewhat directionless entrepreneurial-style business is now vigorous, team-oriented enterprise well on the way to becoming a truly professionally managed company. TAB has been there with every resource I needed every step of the way. Through the wisdom available to me at my personal coaching sessions, the breadth of knowledge of my fellow board members, and all of the special programs organized by my TAB facilitator I have gone from a business owner who “owns a job” to an executive in an up and coming local business where “the sky’s the limit” for both me and my employees. Through the knowledge and support that is available to me through TAB I have a future where my business is an important tool to achieve my vision of personal success.

Terry Low, CEO of Byte Technology

Since being introduced to The Alternative Board Monterey/Salinas, Byte Technology has been taken from an entrepreneurial web development firm to a professionally-managed firm. TAB has significantly impacted key business and given us real-world tools for continual improvement in areas such as operations, management, marketing, and finance.

This has translated into enhancement of the companies’ revenues, profits, and market impact. As a result, Byte Technology has doubled its revenue each year and recently expanded its operation in Denver, CO while maintaining its headquarters in Monterey, CA. Most importantly, it’s freed-up time or me so that I could contribute more to the community I so love and support.

TAB has also helped me grow both professionally and personally. Being in a network of A-type business owners, I’m continually encouraged to challenge myself and stretch my capabilities. This has resulted in a focus on activities that bring about the most fulfillments in my life including 2008 Chair of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and 2010 President Nominee for the Monterey Pacific Rotary Club.

TAB is a serious business investment adding significant value to any entrepreneur’s enterprise

Lienette Limitiaco, President/CEO Central Coast Federal Credit Union

Since joining TAB approximately two years ago, the relationships and the “tips” that I have gained through my board and the organization in general has not only been a great help, but an eye opening. Personally, I was “new” to the being a part of the TAB board and any other board for that fact, however being the only one in my industry at the conference table made the transition more comfortable and confident in my ability to represent the information and expertise to others.

TAB has many benefits, if not to increase your business, the personal aspects on your persona life and the networking advantages are tremendous. There are frustrations when you are not able to contribute to the situations/critical issue that your other members are putting forward, but just the support itself is worthwhile for your entire board. There is responsibility, accountability, and an unsung concept of dependability that I expect from each of my board members as they would of me.

The Alternative Board has given my business great ideas, readings, lessons, and an impact on my personal life as well. It is a spring board for me to voice not only our business accomplishments, but frustrations as well with no judgments. This came at a time when my own Board was going through a “growing up” stage and I needed that extra support to pull through the ups and downs. It proved to be more soothing to discuss these issues with those that are not in my same industry and the assurance of confidentiality was consistently reiterated throughout the whole process.

Melissa Morasca, Partner, Dawn Transportation, Inc.

Tab has significantly impacted my bushiness life in many ways. I was new to small business ownership, and I had no idea what my priorities should be, what I needed to know, or where I should focus my leadership skills. The experience and support of Tab gives me the confidence I need to maintain and grow a successful business. I have enjoyed all the opportunities to network with other business owners. I find the one on one meetings with my facilitator to be extremely helpful in developing my business plans and goals. I always leave my monthly Tab meetings feeling energized, re-grouped and better equipped to handle the many issues that all business owners face. It is very reassuring to be part of a confidential group that supports each other using their own experiences, successes, and honest opinions. I strongly feel that TAB has so much to offer a business owner of any size willing to put in the hard work to build a successful business.