Business Advisers
This page is designed to provide guidance and advice for existing Business Advisers, but also provide information for anyone thinking of volunteering their time as an Adviser to a young company based in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Impartial advisers can offer insight
All businesses can occasionally benefit from third-party advice. Involving a consultancy or other impartial source can help a business to move forward, or to find an innovative solution to a problem. This is something all Young Enterprise companies should remember, especially as they can benefit from experience of thousands of volunteers from the business community.
The Role of an Adviser
The role of a Young Enterprise Business Adviser is a careful balance. It is essential that the volunteers take the role of facilitator, attending company meetings, keeping a watchful eye, but only intervening when the students need a helping hand to get to the next stage of their company’s development.
An adviser treads a careful line between leading the students through the experience and enabling them to run things for themselves. Choosing when to intervene is a matter of careful judgement.
Who is it for?
Anyone seeking to develop their own management skills, and broaden their knowledge by gaining an overview of how a business functions and the relationship between the different parts. Advisers need enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to share their knowledge and skills with a group of young people.
What does it involve?
• Typically one hour per fortnight (or weekly if time permits) with your Young Enterprise company (during or after school) during term time, for the period of an academic year (ie September to April). Ideally, each company should have at least two advisers.
• You'll be given practical information about the Business Adviser role.
• Geographic preferences, etc, can be taken into account in the matching process,
• As you will be working with young people, it is necessary for a Disclosure check to be made on all Business Advisers.
What is the outcome?
The opportunity to develop your own management competencies by working alongside a team of young people to run a business, and by working alongside Adviser/Coaching colleagues from different backgrounds.
What can I expect to gain from the experience?
Some of the skills/competencies you can expect to develop include:
- Business acumen
- Conflict management
- Market research
- Customer focus
- Directing others
- Negotiation
- Interpersonal skills
- I.T.
- Customer care policies
What others have gained…
"My experience of being a Business Adviser was a very beneficial one. This experience was gained in a safe environment in relation to people management, team working, leadership and increased awareness of the way in which a business operates."
Is the programme accredited?
YES programmes are recognised by SQA as providing suitable learning/teaching material to support Scottish Progression Awards in Enterprise and Employability Intermediate Levels 1 and 2.
Who do I contact for more info?
Sam Edgar or Carol Alexander on (0141) 548 2722 or complete the following fields and click on submit and we'll get in touch ASAP:
What if I'm having problems/issues with the young company?
Get in touch with your Link Board Member ASAP - you should have their details - if you don't, Get in Touch. We're here to help and support you.
Can I chat to other Business Advisers on a regular basis?
Aye, you can! At the Lothian Area Board events we provide an opportunity for networking so you can talk to other Advisers and Link Teachers and chat over your experiences. We're also investigating the possibility of a message board/forum on this site to allow ongoing chat.