Printed from the Technology Means Business Web Site
 
Adviser Accreditation
 
This is a competence-based qualification delivered through training providers. It focuses on continual professional development and assesses both performance and knowledge.
 
Candidates are required to demonstrate their ability against four units of performance:
 
Unit 1
Build effective ICT advisory relationships with clients
Unit 2
 Help clients to meet their ICT business needs
Unit 3
 Monitor, evaluate, review and develop your own performance as an ICT adviser
 
Plus evidence for one of the following:
   
Unit 4
Enable clients to plan an ICT intervention
Unit 5
Enable clients to implement an ICT intervention
 
Underpinning knowledge is assessed through an online multi-choice knowledge test. This takes one hour and is based on answering 60 questions on basic ICT knowledge and orientation and SME knowledge. Click here for further details.
 
Put your skills to the test with the TMB Initial Diagnostic, designed to give you a flavour of what is involved in the TMB accreditation. After completing the diagnostic you will have an indication of how long it would take you to complete the accreditation process.
 
To register or to gain more information select a TMB Partner. These are organisations that deliver the TMB accreditation programme, with each partner developing an individual approach to your training and development needs. To find a TMB Partner click here.
 
 
Candidates register for a 12-month period to complete the TMB Accreditation. A period of three to six months is usually sufficient dependent on your day-to-day opportunities to provide advice to SMEs on the adoption and usage of new technologies. However, candidates have achieved the accreditation in a much shorter time frame
 
Re-accreditation
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12 months after gaining TMB accreditation, Advisers are required to review and complete a Continued Professional Development (CPD) submission. It is a requirement that CV details are maintained throughout the year and that the Code of Practice has been read and agreed. A further 12 months later, in addition to completing the CPD, Accredited Advisers are required to complete two SME client diagnostic tools to demonstrate continued practice against the TMB standard. After this two year process, the cycle begins again, commencing with the CPD.
 
 
 
Recognition of Your Skills
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Completion of the Adviser Accreditation confirms an adviser has the right approach and the proven ability to offer a credible service.
 
Accredited and re-accredited advisers are:
 
Awarded a certificate (renewable each year)
   
Provided with a welcome pack that includes marketing materials
   
Given use of the TMB logo (with the word adviser inserted) to demonstrate competence to potential clients and to ensure that you are recognisable to the SME community
   
Listed on the TMB website. These databases are designed to assist SMEs to locate an adviser by region or specialism, taking away the confusion over who can help and providing confidence that the advice they will receive will be realistic, up-to-date and inline with their business needs.
   
Provided with continued access (whilst remaining accredited) to the website learning and assessment system including; tools for use with clients, discussion forums, comprehensive information resources and the latest news from the world of business and ICT.
   
Sent regular newsletters, features and updates
 
 
 
Approved Centre Programme
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An independent accreditation scheme for organisations providing business-related ICT advice to SMEs
 
There is a whole range of benefits to becoming a TMB Approved Centre, the new accreditation scheme for organisations providing business-related ICT advice to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
 
     
 
Authorisation to use the title and TMB Approved Centre logo
     
 
Listing on the TMB National Register of accredited advisers and organisations that is being linked to an increasing number of popular SME feeder web-sites
     
 
The ability to participate in schemes that put only TMB accredited organisations or advisers in touch with potential SME clients
     
  Being part of a rapidly growing network of organisations seeking TMB Approved Centre status, whose combined marketing power will significantly raise the profile of TMB amongst the SME community
     
  The ability to re-assure your SME clients that you and your staff are committed to providing advice, products and services that are relevant to their business needs
     
  Access to web-based learning resources on the TMB web-site that will support the continuous professional development of your staff
     
  TMB Approved Centre certificate
     
  Welcome pack that includes a supply of TMB case study marketing materials
 
Approved Centre criteria
 
Accreditation will be awarded to organisations that meet a number of specific criteria on an annual basis:
 
   
(1)
 Evidence of providing business-related ICT advice
 
  
(2)
 Completion of a development programme against the TMB Standard. This requires a set number of client-facing staff to become TMB Accredited
 
  
TMB Accredited Adviser - Competence-based qualification assessing both performance as well as ICT and SME knowledge
   
 
How many client-facing staff will need to become TMB Accredited?
 
The number of staff required to gain accreditation is established by the number of client-facing staff who at some time offer advice to, or answer questions about ICT from, SME clients. Please refer to the table below.
 
No. of client-facing staff
TMB Adviser accredited
2-20
2
21 - 50
4
51 - 100
10
101 - 150
20
151 - 200
30
for every 100 thereafter
20
 
 
What are the timescales involved?
 
There are no set timescales for attaining Approved Centre status. The speed with which Approved Centre status can be achieved is largely dictated by the ability of the staff undertaking the TMB Adviser accreditation.
 
Who delivers the training and assessment for the TMB Adviser accreditation?
 
All training and assessment is delivered through a network of established TMB Partners. You select the TMB Partner that offers a package that best meets your organisation's needs. Click here to find a TMB Partner.
 
Who can become an Approved Centre?
 
The opportunity to become a TMB Approved Centre is open to all ICT re-sellers, Business Links, ICT/business consultancies, and financial organisations including accountants, banks and financial advisers. The scheme is targeted primarily at local deliverers rather than head offices.
 
What are the costs involved?
 
The cost of the Approved Centre accreditation is £495+VAT per annum – payable on meeting the criteria set against your organisation of meeting the required number of Accredited Advisers within your company. The cost for TMB Adviser accreditation starts from £895+VAT.
 
Are there any subsequent costs?
 
TMB accreditation is an annual process. On top of the annual Approved Centre fee of £495 + VAT, each adviser has to pay £195 + VAT pa to retain their accreditation.
 
How are submissions validated?
 
The TMB Agency assesses each organisation's submission by checking the existence and viability of the applying organisation and the names of those staff that have achieved TMB accreditation. The TMB Agency reserves the right to arrange a visit to submitting organisations and may also request to visit an SME customer with the Adviser who dealt with that customer.
 
What to do next?
 
If you would like to register for the TMB Approved Centre programme or obtain further information, please contact the TMB Agency on 01784 473005, email tmb@itff.org.uk
 
Benefits
 
There are a whole range of benefits to achieving TMB accreditation:
 
Professional development
Recognition
Exposure to the SME market
Endorsed by the Government and leading IT companies
Pre-prepared marketing support
Quality Mark
Membership Benefits
  Professional Indemnity Insurance
  Yellow Pages Corporate Advertising
 
Professional development
A chance to develop skills, knowledge and approach to supporting clients
 
Recognition
Having your skills and professionalism confirmed and formally recognised by an independent assessment body
 
Exposure to the SME market
Listing on the TMB National Register that is being linked to an increasing number of popular SME feeder sites and the ability to represent TMB at SME focussed events at regional and national level.
 
Endorsed by the Government and leading IT companies
TMB is endorsed by the Government through the DTI and leading IT companies, BT, Intel, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft
 
Pre-prepared marketing support
TMB pre-prepared marketing materials to support promotional activities.
 
Quality Mark
Ability to re-assure clients of your commitment to provide relevant advice, products and services
 
Membership Benefits
 
Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)
Highly competitive rates have been negotiated by TMB, for Accredited Advisers and Approved Centres.
Accredited Advisers
A cost of just £360 per year for £500,00 insurane cover, compared to a typical market rate of £700 from a broker
No excess in respect of the first claim and £250 each and every claim thereafter
The above package includes Employer's Liability insurance
The potential for up to 15 month's cover for the price of 12 for the first year of insurance
 
Approved Centres

Approved Centres can enjoy typical premiums of just £500, plus IPT (insurance premium tax), for PII of £500,000, each and every claim with £500 excess for a 12-month period. Premium is dependent upon individual organisation.

 
Yellow Pages Corporate Advertising
A new benefit for both Accredited Advisers and Approved Centres due to be launched in Spring 2004. This new benefit provides opportunities for:
 
Display advertising at lineage rates
Gaining much more impact under the TMB banner.
Payment on publication, not on booking space.
Significant savings on your Yellow Pages advertising.