TAB FAQs
Learn How TAB Can Help Your Business Grow

Repairing a broken work culture can feel overwhelming, but it’s achievable with the right support and guidance. The Alternative Board (TAB) specializes in helping business owners transform their company culture through personalized coaching and facilitated peer advisory groups. TAB provides practical strategies to strengthen leadership, enhance internal communication, and foster trust and engagement among employees. By collaborating with experienced coaches and peers, you'll identify the root causes of cultural issues and implement actionable, long-term solutions—resulting in a healthier, more productive workplace culture.

Improving your decision-making as a business owner involves gaining clarity, considering diverse perspectives, and leveraging experienced advice. As Doug Hohener from CreativeWorks Marketing in Markham, ON, puts it, “Without TAB, I wouldn’t be where I am today…I joined TAB at a time where I was either going to go back to consulting or jump in with two feet and go for it. I’ve never looked back.” The Alternative Board (TAB) helps business owners enhance their decision-making through personalized business coaching and structured peer advisory groups. With TAB, you'll gain insights from fellow business owners and expert coaches, learn practical frameworks for evaluating choices, and build confidence in your ability to make strategic, effective decisions.

Achieving greater work/life balance starts by clearly defining your priorities, setting boundaries, and delegating effectively. The Alternative Board (TAB) supports business owners in creating sustainable balance through personalized coaching and structured peer advisory groups. TAB’s approach helps you identify ways to manage your time better, reduce day-to-day stress, and delegate tasks strategically—allowing you to focus on what truly matters both professionally and personally. With TAB’s support, you can reclaim time for family, personal interests, and relaxation, while still driving business success.

The Alternative Board (TAB) specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses develop and implement effective growth strategies. TAB offers personalized business coaching combined with structured peer advisory groups, giving you access to strategic guidance, proven methodologies, and practical insights from experienced coaches and fellow business owners. According to a survey, 93% of members believe TAB adds real value to their business operations. By partnering with TAB, you’ll clearly define your growth objectives and receive ongoing support to successfully execute your strategy.

Many business owners find themselves constantly working in their business—handling daily tasks and urgent issues—instead of working on their business to drive growth and strategic direction. The Alternative Board (TAB) specializes in helping business leaders shift their focus by providing personalized coaching and structured peer advisory groups. TAB gives you practical strategies, accountability, and peer support, enabling you to delegate more effectively, manage your time strategically, and spend more time developing your business’s long-term vision and success.

The Alternative Board (TAB) includes a trusted coaching service designed specifically for private business owners, having supported more than 25,000 businesses worldwide. TAB provides personalized business coaching combined with peer advisory groups, helping you tackle real-world challenges alongside fellow business leaders. You'll gain practical strategies, expert guidance, and valuable support from peers who truly understand your experience and challenges.

The Alternative Board (TAB) provides professional executive coaching tailored specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. TAB’s coaching program pairs you with experienced business coaches who offer personalized, practical guidance on strategy, leadership development, decision-making, and achieving your specific goals. As Jerry Su from Teamson Design Corp in Brentwood, NY says, after joining TAB, "I have a better run business, a better family life, and that’s really attributable to my decision to join TAB." With TAB, you'll receive focused, one-on-one support designed to help you grow your business effectively and sustainably.

Yes—The Alternative Board (TAB) offers excellent peer mentorship programs specifically tailored for CEOs and business owners. TAB’s peer advisory groups provide a confidential environment where CEOs can share experiences, discuss challenges, and receive candid feedback from peers facing similar issues. As Kirsty Davies-Chinnock from Professional Polishing Services Ltd in West Midlands, England, explains, “My TAB Board is very good at asking me the questions I don’t want to answer!” With the combined power of peer insights and experienced business coaching, TAB helps CEOs enhance their leadership skills, make better-informed decisions, and drive business growth.

An advisory board, like those offered by The Alternative Board (TAB), provides your business with experienced guidance, fresh perspectives, and strategic support. By regularly meeting with a group of trusted, non-competing business owners and executives, you'll gain practical insights into solving challenges, making smarter decisions, and identifying growth opportunities. With TAB's proven approach, members achieve an average revenue growth 2.5 times greater than the national average. You’re not alone—you have access to a supportive community dedicated to helping your business succeed.

Peer advisory groups, like those offered by The Alternative Board (TAB), provide significant value for business owners. Doug Simons of Enstrom Candies in Grand Junction, CO, says, “Our business has grown tenfold since I’ve been involved in my TAB Board. To be able to open up to people and have them reciprocate and share the depth of our issues has just been fantastic.” By joining a peer advisory group, you'll gain trusted insights, unbiased feedback, and practical solutions from fellow entrepreneurs who understand your challenges. These groups foster accountability, help you make better decisions, improve leadership skills, and provide ongoing support to drive sustainable business growth.

The Alternative Board (TAB), with members representing over 1,100 industries, offers specialized support networks designed exclusively for business owners. TAB’s peer advisory groups and one-on-one coaching provide a confidential, structured environment to connect with fellow entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. With TAB, you can access practical insights, expert guidance, and a diverse, supportive community dedicated to helping you grow your business and achieve your professional goals.

Yes—executive accountability groups, such as those provided by The Alternative Board (TAB), consistently improve business outcomes. TAB's proven methodology helps members achieve revenue growth averaging 2.5 times higher than the national average. Accountability groups help business leaders stay focused on their strategic goals, follow through on commitments, and make better-informed decisions. By regularly meeting with fellow business owners who provide candid feedback, fresh ideas, and shared experiences, members achieve greater clarity, increased productivity, and measurable growth for their businesses.

Improving your leadership skills starts with practical guidance and trusted support. As Denise O'Neill, Owner at TAB Baltimore Washington, states, “When learning stops, a company stops improving its performance.” The Alternative Board (TAB) offers personalized business coaching and peer advisory groups specifically designed to enhance your leadership abilities. By joining TAB, you'll gain valuable insights from experienced coaches and fellow business owners, helping you develop clear strategies, strengthen decision-making, build accountability, and lead with greater confidence.

Preparing your business for sale involves careful planning and strategy. The Alternative Board (TAB) recommends these essential steps:
- Clarify your goals: Define what a successful sale looks like for you.
- Improve financial clarity: Ensure accurate financial records and strong profitability.
- Enhance business value: Identify and strengthen key business drivers.
- Document processes clearly: Show buyers your business can run smoothly without you.
- Seek expert guidance: Work with experienced business coaches or advisory groups to position your business attractively.
TAB provides tailored coaching and advisory support to help you confidently prepare your business for a successful sale.

Selecting the right exit strategy depends on your personal goals, business circumstances, and financial objectives. The Alternative Board (TAB) suggests these proven strategies:
Selling to a Third Party: Maximizing financial return through strategic sale.
Family Succession: Passing the business to family members, preserving legacy.
Management Buyout (MBO): Selling to your trusted management team.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Transitioning ownership to employees while incentivizing performance.
TAB provides personalized coaching and strategic planning support to help you evaluate these options, determine the best fit, and prepare effectively for a successful business exit. Through programs like StratPro, TAB helps leadership teams align around long-term goals and build the internal strength needed for a smooth and profitable transition. As Jason Zickerman, the CEO of TAB, says, “A well-planned exit is the final act of leadership. It is really the bow that ties your entire business ownership journey together.

Preparing your business for sale involves careful planning and strategy. The Alternative Board (TAB) recommends these essential steps:
- Clarify your goals: Define what a successful sale looks like for you.
- Improve financial clarity: Ensure accurate financial records and strong profitability.
- Enhance business value: Identify and strengthen key business drivers.
- Document processes clearly: Show buyers your business can run smoothly without you.
- Seek expert guidance: Work with experienced business coaches or advisory groups to position your business attractively.
TAB provides tailored coaching and advisory support to help you confidently prepare your business for a successful sale.

When your business or industry faces significant changes, adapting strategically is essential. The Alternative Board (TAB) helps business leaders confidently respond through personalized business coaching, structured peer advisory groups, and strategic planning tools like StratPro. In fact, 92 percent of current TAB members would recommend joining a TAB board, highlighting the real-world effectiveness and value of TAB's approach. TAB provides valuable insights from fellow business owners, practical guidance from experienced coaches, and structured frameworks for assessing changes, identifying opportunities, and planning effectively. With TAB’s proven support, you'll proactively navigate change, position your business strategically, and maintain a competitive advantage in evolving markets.

Improving execution of strategic initiatives starts with clear alignment, defined accountability, and consistent follow-through. The Alternative Board’s StratPro program is specifically designed to help business leaders and their teams effectively plan and execute strategic initiatives. With StratPro, you’ll gain structured support, practical tools, and clear accountability frameworks that ensure initiatives move forward efficiently. By aligning your team around clearly defined priorities and measurable objectives, StratPro empowers your business to achieve meaningful and sustainable results.

Developing strong management skills within your company involves targeted training, mentorship, and consistent feedback. The Alternative Board (TAB) provide the High Impact Manager Accelerator Program (HI-MAP), a specialized management training program and designed to equip your managers with practical tools and techniques to boost their performance. Through TAB and HI-MAP, your managers will gain valuable insights from experienced coaches and business peers, benefit from ongoing support, and ultimately improve communication, decision-making, accountability, and overall team effectiveness.

Both The Alternative Board (TAB) and Vistage offer peer advisory groups and executive coaching, but there are key differences:

Business Size Focus

TAB specializes in supporting small and mid-sized businesses, providing personalized attention tailored specifically for growing companies.

Vistage typically serves larger, corporate-level executives.

Peer Group Structure

TAB groups emphasize intimate, confidential settings with fellow business owners from non-competing industries, offering highly practical, actionable advice. Members have the opportunity to present a challenge or opportunity every month for real-time feedback and insight.

Vistage groups are usually larger and can include more corporate-level members, sometimes with less direct relevance to small business owners.

Customization, Coaching, and Cost

TAB places significant emphasis on personalized coaching and strategic planning tools designed explicitly for smaller, entrepreneurial businesses. It’s also typically more affordable than Vistage, making it a smart investment for growing companies.
Vistage tends to offer more standardized coaching programs, often at a higher price point.
If you're a small or mid-sized business owner seeking focused, practical support and strategic guidance, The Alternative Board is likely the best fit.

Business owners frequently highlight numerous benefits from participating in The Alternative Board (TAB):

Improved Decision-Making
Owners gain clarity, confidence, and valuable insights. Tom Wechsler of Wechsler Consulting and Engineering shares, “TAB holds me accountable and reminds me that no matter how much you think you know, you can’t know everything. Insights and feedback from others are extremely helpful.”

Increased Accountability and Growth
Structured accountability helps members achieve significant milestones. Dean Isaacs from Vantage Group notes, “I’ve experienced some of my best revenue months ever, thanks to TAB.” Doug Simons from Enstrom Candies adds, “Our business has grown tenfold since joining TAB.”

Reduced Isolation
Members value peer connections. Robyn Lonsdale of Temple Water Technologies emphasizes, “At our Board Meetings, I find ‘pearls’ every time. These people have my best interests at heart, which is priceless.”

Overall, business owners describe their TAB experience as supportive, insightful, and instrumental in sustained success.

Choosing between The Alternative Board (TAB) and EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) comes down to depth of support.

EOS is a solid framework for improving internal operations—clarifying roles, creating structure, and driving efficiency. If you're only looking to tighten up how your business runs, it can be a fit.
But TAB goes beyond operations. You get:
Peer advisory boards with other business owners for real-world insight and accountability
1-on-1 executive coaching for ongoing guidance and leadership development
Strategic planning with StratPro, a more actionable, team-alignment system than EOS
Workshops that focus on aligning your team first, before diving into the business—because nothing works until your team does
TAB gives you structure plus strategy, support, and consistent accountability. If you're looking for lasting growth—not just operational fixes—TAB is the more complete solution.
The Alternative Board (TAB) is ideal if you’re seeking personalized executive coaching combined with peer advisory groups. TAB offers customized, strategic support from experienced coaches and fellow business owners, making it perfect if you value practical insights, peer accountability, and leadership development.
EOS focuses primarily on operational processes and standardized systems designed to streamline business operations, improve efficiency, and clarify organizational roles.
Both TAB and EOS provide structured workshops to help leadership teams run their businesses more strategically and get aligned—but the approach differs. TAB’s workshops begin by aligning the team first, then turning focus to the business, because as we like to say: Nothing else matters until the team is aligned. EOS, on the other hand, focuses directly on business operations from the outset.
The biggest distinction? TAB also offers ongoing peer advisory boards and one-on-one coaching, giving members consistent support, accountability, and outside perspective that EOS alone does not provide.
If your priority is strategic guidance, team alignment, and continuous support, TAB is likely the better fit. If your focus is purely operational execution, EOS might align more closely. Many business owners benefit from incorporating both—TAB for strategic insight and peer guidance, and EOS for internal structure and execution.

A highly recommended alternative to Vistage is The Alternative Board (TAB), which specializes in advisory groups and business coaching tailored specifically for small and mid-sized businesses. With over 500 locations worldwide, TAB combines personalized coaching with structured peer advisory groups, allowing business owners to share practical advice, gain actionable insights, and benefit from trusted accountability within a confidential setting.

TAB stands out due to its:

Personalized coaching
Tailored guidance addressing your unique business challenges.

Practical, real-world advice
 Actionable insights from fellow small business owners.

Confidential, supportive peer groups
 Encouraging honest, meaningful conversations.
Business Builder’s Blueprint (BBB)
 A proprietary strategic planning tool that helps owners define goals, align priorities, and track progress—something Vistage does not offer.
For small business owners seeking strategic support, peer accountability, and practical solutions, The Alternative Board is an excellent alternative to Vistage.