The Job to Be Done:Mastering the Client Journey from Onboarding to Impact
Professional Development for Trusted Advisors
For small business advisors who want to become trusted advisors to their clients.
Get CertifiedA professional development program for small business advisors focused on interpersonal skills to become a trusted advisor
Workshops to earn the certificate are offered Live Online, or In-Person at selected industry events
The Foundations of Business Advising
To become a trusted advisor you need more than just technical skills.
You also need interpersonal skills that can help you build lasting relationships and empower your clients.
By joining the Business Advisor Certificate (BAC) program you can obtain credentials in skills to engage and empower clients, cultivate mindsets and build trust through improving listening skills and much more.
This professional development program is focused on developing, or strengthening, all the skills to become a trusted advisor.
Choose Any or All of the Nine Foundations Level Workshops
The Foundations Level contains nine workshops of 2-hour duration: six available now and three in development. Obtaining the certificate requires three workshops that can be taken in any sequence.
Client Journey
Keep Them Coming Back:Engaging Client Companies for the Long Haul
Making Advice Work:Empowering Clients to Take Ownership and Action
Your Mind at Work:How Your Attitude Can Change Your Client's Mindset
How to Be Likable:Building Trust and Rapport with Any Client
Ethics and Beyond:Making Ethics and Inclusion Part of Daily Practice
In development
Client Performance
From Plan to Action:Overcoming Clients' Barriers for Execution
In development
Client Persona
Meet Clients Where They Are:Advising Different Segments and Personalities
In development
Client Transformation
Getting to the Root:Reframing Problems and Leading Clients Through Change
Get Professional Advisor Tools that will make you a trusted advisor
Each certificate workshop comes with a series of visual Frameworks and Decision Sheets to help you master the advising process and decide on your own personal approach.
FrameworkGet More Ideas
Topics for
discussion
discussion
Decisions
to make
to make
Decision SheetMake Better Decisions
Your approach
Why, and how you will use it with clients
Illustration
How it Works
Live Online
Monthly workshops on Zoom that you can join at any time by signing up for one or more workshops. For groups, we can schedule more frequent workshops to obtain the certificate faster.
In-Person
Join the in-person workshops we have available, or ask us to host an in-person training for a group: up to 3 workshops per day, or the complete program over 2 days.
8 segments in 2 hours
Each workshop is divided into 8 segments, with self-assessments, introduction and test of practical tools, and dialogue between advisors based on their personal experience.
Self-assessment
Start and finish each workshop with a self-assessment to improve self-awareness and see progress.
Visual Frameworks
One-page Frameworks to use as guidelines and reminders when preparing for sessions with client companies.
Decision Sheets
Use Decision Sheets to decide on your own approach and discuss your choices with other participating advisors.
Your path to the Business Advisor Certificate
The workshops cover all the key skills to become a trusted advisor to clients and build lasting client relationships. By completing any three workshops, you earn the Business Advisor Certificate (BAC).
The program is a commitment to ongoing professional development, so you keep your skills up to date and keep learning with and from other advisors.
The certificate comes with a digital badge you can display on LinkedIn.
- To certifyComplete any three workshops, in any sequence
- To maintainComplete one workshop per year
- CredentialA digital credential you can display on LinkedIn
A small investment in yourself that pays back big
Select region
Prices in US dollarsPrices in Canadian dollarsPrices in eurosPrices in South African rand
- $125$175€110R2,100 Single workshopper workshop · Any one of the Foundations Level workshops
- $900$1,260€790R15,100 Full programall nine workshops (20% off) · Workshops 1–6 now, 7–9 as they launch
- SoonSoonSoonSoon On-Demandcoming soon · Join the waitlist: email bac@growthwheel.com
- IncludesThe 2-hour workshop with self-assessments, Frameworks and Decision Sheets
- FormatLive Online once per month via Zoom, or In-Person at selected industry events
- CertificateComplete any three workshops to earn the BAC
Expert Instructors
5,000+ small business advisors trained since 2008
Elizabeth Binning
Head of Training and Learning, GrowthWheel International Inc.
- Certified GrowthWheel Instructor
- ECM & CGBP Certified
- Former SBDC Advisor for 8 years and Director for 11 years
- Trainer of 2,500+ business advisors from all over the world
- Frequent speaker at industry conferences in the USA
- Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology
David Madié
Founder and CEO, GrowthWheel International Inc.
- Creator of the Business Advisor Certificate Program
- Serial entrepreneur for 35+ years
- Business coach for 15+ years
- Trainer of 5,000+ business advisors in 60+ countries
- Frequent speaker at industry conferences around the world
- M.Sc. degree in Economics and Business Administration
Brought to you by GrowthWheel
GrowthWheel is a worldwide recognized Business Advisory System used by small business advisors to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
The GrowthWheel Team has trained and certified small business advisors from many different organizations, including women's business centers, incubators, lending offices and entrepreneurship centers. Together with the network of GrowthWheel Certified Business Advisors, we continue our mission to help business advisors be the best they can be.
We offer world-class Advisor Training Programs, a ready-to-use Business Tool Library, a CRM system and Client Portal to collaborate with clients, and an E-learning platform with on-demand courses for client companies.
- 5,000+small business advisors trained and certified
- 50US states
- 60+countries
- 19languages for the tools and software
Center managers: how to implement
Five steps to launch the program as professional development for your team. Contact us for best practices for effective implementation.
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Review the program modules
Decide if any modules should be mandatory and which modules should be offered
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Present to the team
Present the new professional development program to your team
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Schedule sessions
Decide to schedule an in-person training, offer live online training or on demand
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Let your team select modules
Share the signup page, or create your own, for advisors to select modules and dates
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Join the training program
Take the opportunity to join the program along with your team to show your commitment
Our Partners
The Business Advisor Certificate is offered with discounts to members of small business advisor networks around the world.
Offer the Business Advisor Certificate to your members. Become a partner
Foundations, Fundamentals, Center Management
Three certificates built on the same grid. The BAC lays the foundations of advising. The BAC-F covers the business fundamentals advisors work on with their clients. The BAC-M is for the manager who runs the center.
You are here
Business Advisor
Certificate (BAC) For advisors
Certificate (BAC) For advisors
The foundations of advising: the interpersonal skills that make a trusted advisor, from client journey and engagement to connection and ethics.
See the nine workshops
Coming soon
Business Fundamentals
Certificate (BAC-F) For advisors and center managers
Certificate (BAC-F) For advisors and center managers
22 on-demand modules on the 20 GrowthWheel focus areas: the basics of business, and how to advise on them. Two modules are free.
Join the waitlist
Coming soon
Center Manager
Certificate (BAC-M) For center managers
Certificate (BAC-M) For center managers
Nine modules on serving, leading and sustaining a business advisory center, each ending in a decision for your own center.
Join the waitlist
Ready to become a Trusted Advisor?
Sign up for one or more workshops. Complete any three to earn your certificate.
Get Certified