Interim management specialist Russam GMS has launched the NEDworker ‘try before you buy’ initiative to offer small business owners independent support from an experienced business executive.

A ‘NEDworker’ is a senior, independent board level professional who can offer advice to SMEs and help them with their business challenges.

According to the company, NEDworkers are not non-executive directors (NEDs) or directors, but ‘critical friends’ or business mentors, providing strategic advice and/or handling CEO-level projects.

A key part of the initiative is that the NEDworker will work with companies for two days free of charge before both parties have to decide if they want to establish a longer term business relationship.

Charles Russam, chairman of Russam GMS, told Recruiter: “Because of their particular business model, it has been difficult in the past for SMEs to call on NEDs to help them with professional business support, so there’s not been much interest.”

Businesses interested in hiring a NEDworker need to provide a brief and Russam GMS will shortlist suitable candidates from its extensive database of around 10,000 senior executives who specialise in this type of work and have the skills and experience behind them.

Russam added: “Calling in a trusted adviser or a critical friend with the right skills, know-how and industry knowledge to help get their business back on track or implement a strategy for growth could be essential for their survival and future business success.”

• See also Recruiter, 22 July p20 for more on non-executive directors.

http://www.russam-gms.co.uk/nedwork_capstate.html