The Guild Of Business Advisors

Guild of Business Advisors

In the past, a guild was an association of highly qualified tradesmen that self regulated the profession based on proven skills. Is there a place for a "guild" in the service economy and information age? In fact there is and here's why:

Networks are everywhere. How is someone to know if a referral is a qualified person who is properly trained? What is the risk to networking member if they do not perform? What is the risk to the person purchasing services? How is someone really checked out? What are the barriers to entry? How likely is someone who performs poorly to be monitored or expelled?

One way to “check” someone out is to do a web search. We all know the web community can be helpful but can not be relied upon to always be accurate. On line “ratings” can be helpful but there again, what are the qualifications of the person doing the rating? Can the ratings be manipulated (have your friends write in or take a web name)?

There is always the old fashioned way of checking references but who has time?

Enter The Guild of Business Advisors.

The Guild is…
? An organization of experts who join together to serve the needs of small and mid-sized businesses
? Typically the members are principals/owners or who otherwise have decision making authority
? Self policing by regulating admissions reviewing credentials, policing members if necessary
? Administering a Code of Ethics
? Facilitating commerce among members
? Facilitating commerce among members with public at large
? Promoting the “Guild” and its member as a veritable resource for qualified expertise in numerous fields

The Guild is not…
? A “networking group”
? A stepping stone
? For everyone

Organizational:
? National office with State and regional chapters
? Dues
? Fee sharing or some other mechanism to keep dues reasonable and support the organization
? Self imposed policy on administrative expenses