FAQ
Why IB4SME
Why would I choose your services?
IB4SME has been created with one purpose: creating solutions that accelerate SMEs’ sustainable growth. Everything we do is aimed to help entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized business owners and decision-makers succeed and sustainably grow their business. What differentiates us from most of other business and marketing consultancy firms, is the actual direct support and feedback we offer within our group solutions. Our solutions include guidelines, checklists, proven steps, tips, and templates that help you put in practice everything we are teaching you. In addition, during our webinars, courses, and programmes, we provide direct support and feedback on your content, strategies, and other efforts through our personal review and feedback, calls, meetings, and Q&A sessions. Finally, we also provide personalised services and solutions on demand.
What benefits will participating in your webinars, workshops, courses, and programmes bring me?
All our webinars are planned and prepared in a way to bring you real value. Apart from learning how to do things well, efficiently and effectively, we provide actual direct support and feedback to help you properly implement what you learned. In addition, in all our longer courses and programmes, we also provide you with real final products, such as your own blog or landing page design and development, for example.
What benefits will using your business and marketing consulting services bring me?
Our business and marketing consulting services are provided exclusively by Dr. Natasa Kobal, Owner and Founder, based on her PhD in business management and 18 years of experience in international business and marketing. You can be sure that even one hour of her direct consulting and feedback about your business plan, marketing strategy, internationalisation plans or other business and marketing-related efforts, will provide a valuable guidance and insights for significant improvements. There are things you can learn and do on your own, but there are things better left to the experts in the field. It will save you time and money, while significantly increasing your chances of success.
What benefits will singing up with IB4SME bring me?
By signing up with IB4SME, you will join business owners, experts and professionals across the globe that trust us and take advantage of our free material and valuable content available only to our subscribers. Depending on your preferences, you can also receive email notifications about new webinars, workshops and courses, notifications and invitations to our online or live events, as well as special offers and discounts.
What benefits will outsourcing my marketing to you bring me?
As an entrepreneur or SME business owner, you might not have the resources or requirements that would justify having a marketing team in-house. And you don’t need it. However, you do need marketing to succeed, particularly in the current market situation. With our marketing expertise and solutions, we can support you with tailor-made marketing services and solutions that will help you achieve your conversion and business goals, while improving your ROI. Find out more about our marketing services.
Who We Help
Who are your services for?
We believe in creating solutions that accelerate SMEs’ sustainable growth. Therefore, we focus on helping entrepreneurs, small business owners, and medium-sized business owners and decision-makers. However, our consulting services, marketing support services, webinars, courses, and programmes can help also other professionals, individuals, non-profit organisations, and larger companies.
Do you also help individuals and entrepreneurs or only companies?
We focus on helping entrepreneurs, as well as micro, small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). But we can also help other professionals, individuals, non-profit organisations, and larger companies.
Do you help individuals starting their new business from scratch?
We have various solutions available for individuals starting their own business. Depending on your knowledge, experience, goals, and resources, we can help you through our webinars, workshops, courses, eBooks and other content and material, as well as through consulting or working with you on your business setup.
Why don’t you list your clients’ names on your website?
We highly respect the privacy of our clients. In line with our Privacy Policy, we share testimonials online, but we do not share their company information and contact details. Also, most of our clients insist on strict confidentiality, so we cannot share any information beyond the general description of the provided services.
What industries do you specialise in?
We are experienced in various industries and our services can be applied to numerous sectors, products and services. However, in our webinars, courses, workshops, and programmes, we focus on service-oriented SMEs, that can provide and promote their services online. On the other hand, our consulting, project-based services and marketing support services are specific to your business needs and requirements, and thus suitable for any industry, product, or service.
Our Services
What does IB4SME do?
Simply put, we create and provide services and solutions that help SMEs accelerate their success and sustainably grow locally and internationally. With our team of experts, we provide business consulting, international business, and marketing solutions and support services.
Which services do you provide?
Our services and solutions are focused on business consulting, international business, and marketing consulting and support services. These are provided in various forms: webinars, workshops, courses, eBooks, and other content and material, as well as one on one consulting or working with you on your project.
Do you provide one on one coaching and consulting?
Yes, we also provide one on one coaching in business, international business, and marketing, as well as consulting in line with your requirements.
Do you provide group coaching and consulting?
With our Signature Programmes, we provide group coaching in business, international business, and marketing, in addition to other support services. If we see an increased interest on a specific topic, we also provide customised programmes to fit your group requirements. But consulting is done only one on one or for a specific company.
Do you provide webinars, courses and workshops?
Our aim is to help SME owners and decision makers, and we understand that many of them do not have the resources for one on one consulting or project services, or might not need them. As such, we also provide webinars, courses, workshops, and long-term programmes, where we explain, train, and coach all those that want to learn and succeed, and do not let limited funds get in their way to success.
Our Webinars, Courses and Programmes
When are your next webinars, courses and programmes taking place?
We have webinars, courses, workshops, and programmes taking place throughout the year. The best way for you to know when the next ones are taking place is to Sign Up, so you can receive email notifications about the next webinars, workshops, courses, and programmes coming up. But you can also follow us on social media, where we also share updates about upcoming events.
Do you provide recordings of your previous webinars?
We provide recordings of each of our webinars to all participants. In addition, free webinars’ recordings are also available to all our subscribers.
Do you provide free webinars and courses?
We do provide free webinars, but courses are for payment. Recordings of our free webinars are available to all our subscribers. You can find out when the next free webinars and courses are taking place by Signing Up or following us on social media.
Do you provide courses and programmes online and on site?
In order to help as many entrepreneurs and business owners as possible, most of our courses and programmes are held online. However, conditions permitting, we do provide also on site workshops, courses, and programmes, sometimes also on demand. To find out when the next on site event takes place, simply Sign Up and we will notify you by email.
Can I join a course or programme after it has started already?
As we provide reviews, feedback, one on one calls, and tailor made solutions, most of our courses and programmes have a limited number of participants. In these cases, you can join them only if there are still places available and if we have just started. But don’t worry, you can also register on the waiting list. For courses and programmes in high demand, we will notify you when the same (or similar) course or program will take place, so you don’t miss out the next time.
Can I save my spot for the next course or programme?
Most of our courses and programmes have a limited number of participants, so the earlier you register, the better. However, in case there are no more places available, you can register on the waiting list (free of charge), and we will notify you when the same (or similar) course or program will take place, so you don’t miss out the next time.
How can I be notified about the next webinars, courses, and programmes coming up?
The best way for you to be notified about the next webinars, courses, and programmes coming up is to Sign Up. But you can also follow us on social media, where we also share updates about upcoming events.
How We Help
How does your consulting process work?
Our consulting services can vary from a review of your business plan or marketing strategy with our feedback, to business or marketing consulting on an hourly basis, all to way to a long-term consulting agreement on a retainer. Depending on your needs and requirements, we will first send you a proposal for our consulting services, agree on the deliverables, process and payment terms, and then start with the consulting process.
How does your work on specific projects looks like?
Our work on specific projects starts with your enquiry. Once we understand your needs and requirements, we prepare and send you a proposal for our services. After we agree on the scope of work, timeline and price, sign the agreement (or receive your order) and receive your downpayment, we start working on your project. Depending on the scale and timeframe of the project, there might be progress payments, reports and regular meetings present. Once the project is completed, we have a final handover meeting, sign the project completion document and receive your final payment.
How do you provide marketing support services?
Our marketing support services are provided either on a project basis or through a yearly support contract. For smaller, short projects (e.g. blog or landing page design and development, social media page setup etc.), we send you our quotation, after which you send us your order and make a downpayment. After the job is completed and approved from your side, we send you the material or publish the site, and receive your final payment. For longer projects, the process is as for our specific projects (see above question – How does your work on specific projects look like). Lastly, for yearly support contracts, we agree on the yearly support requirements, price, process and deliverables, and monthly payments.
How do you help clients remotely?
Most of our services can be provided remotely, communicating over the phone, by email, in online meetings, and even through WhatsApp. However, for larger projects, where we need to be present on site, let’s say in your office in another country, for example, we will agree on the requirements, travel plans and expenses before starting.
How long do your courses and programmes last?
Our courses usually last a few weeks, while our programmes last from a few months to a year, so we can properly guide you and support you in both the learning and execution process.
How long does a business or marketing consulting project last?
Depending upon your requirements, our consulting services can last anywhere between a one-hour call to yearly contracts with regular consulting on a retainer basis.
When You Need Us
In what circumstances would I need your services?
You might need our services in various circumstances related to your business setup, growth, restructure, turnaround, international expansion, and promotion. Whether you are starting your own business, changing or expanding it, or need a proper online presence and promote your products and services to increase sales and profits, there are many services we can offer you to help you.
I want to start my own business, but I need help with a business plan, branding, and website. Can you help me?
Yes. With our services and solutions, depending on your knowledge, experience, goals, and resources, we can teach you, help you and guide you in preparing your business plan, or we can prepare it with you or for you. We can also offer you various branding and website packages, so you can have your own professional brand and online presence. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
I need to change my business to meet the current changes in demand. Can you help me?
Absolutely. Depending on your experience, knowledge, goals, and funds, we can help you change, restructure, and turnaround your business through our webinars, workshops, courses, programmes and various material, or we can provide you one on one consulting and even working with you throughout the whole process. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
I want to grow my business. Can you help me?
Yes, we can. There are various services we can provide you with in order to help you grow your business; from business restructuring, growth and expansion strategy, new offers creation, international expansion, and online internationalisation, to marketing and business development strategies, promotion, and marketing support services. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
I want to bring my business online. Can you help me?
Yes. We can help you assess your current situation and find a solution to bring some of your products or services online, create new products or services that can be provided online, or help you completely turn your business around to meet the current market demand. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
I need to reduce my business costs and increase my profits. Can you help me?
Yes, we can help you reduce your costs and increase your profits by assessing your business, preparing a company efficiency optimisation plan, and prepare for you and with you a suitable performance management and measurement system. In case of limited funds, we can help you and guide you through our webinars, courses, and programmes. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
I need help with marketing to increase sales. Can you help me?
Definitely. With our marketing services and solutions, we can support you with tailor-made marketing services that will help you achieve your conversion goals and increase sales, while improving your ROI. Depending on your resources, there are also multiple options to do marketing for any budget level—or without. Let us know more, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
Our Prices
How do you price your services?
Webinars, courses, workshops, and programmes are priced based on the time required for us to prepare and execute them, all the support services and added value we provide within them, and the value you will receive from participating. As our main goal is to help you, you can be assured that the value you will receive will be much higher than your investment. For consulting, projects, and marketing support services, prices depend on the scope of work, but we will always send you our proposal before any commitment.
Can you help me if I have a very limited budget?
If you have a very limited budget, we can help you primarily through webinars, courses, workshops, programmes, content and material. Some of them also include highly valuable marketing support services (such as blog development or landing page design and development, for example) within the package. We can also offer you one on one consulting on an hourly rate, where we can guide you and provide you content and material for you to learn how to do many things yourself or with your team. Don’t worry, there are many options available. Let us know more about your requirements, goals and budget, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
Do you provide free consulting?
In some cases, we provide free consulting, especially for new entrepreneurs or those that have been hit hard by the current market conditions. We are also working on organising free workshops and programmes online or on site for these situations. Sign Up so you can receive email notifications about the latest free workshops and programmes, as well as our other free services, such as webinars, courses, material, and other content. You can also contact us directly sharing your requirements, and we will advise you on the most suitable options for you.
Do you provide free services?
Yes, we also provide free services, such as webinars, eBooks, templates, checklists, tips, guides, and other content present on our website. However, most of these are available only to our subscribers. So Sign Up today to take immediate advantage of these free resources.
Do you provide discounts on your prices for referrals?
Yes, we do. But these discounts are available for selected courses and programmes. Sign Up to keep up to date with these discount opportunities, or send us an email if you have something specific in mind.
I need help with my new business setup, but have very limited funds. Will you accept equity as a form of payment?
For our webinars, courses, workshops, and programmes, we do not accept equity stake as a form of payment. However, in exceptional cases, for our consulting and marketing support services, we might discount our fees in exchange for an equity stake or a percentage of sales. Send us an email if you have something specific in mind.
Our Terms
When do I pay for a webinar, course, programme, consulting and other services?
Our webinars, courses and programmes are always paid upfront during registration. For our longer programmes, we offer payment plans. Shorter and lower value consulting and other services are usually paid upfront, while longer contracts are paid either monthly or with split payments, depending on the project scope and duration.
What if I change my mind while a project you are working on is in progress?
We understand that the unexpected can happen. Once a project starts, the downpayment is not refundable, as we already invested time and allocated resources in its planning and preparation. However, depending on the project stage and progress payments done so far, we can stop the project and prepare the final settlement of the work completed so far. But there are other options. We can also put the project on hold or change the project scope. In any case, we will work with you on the best solution possible.
What payment methods do you accept?
Our webinars, courses, workshops, and programmes online registrations can be paid through PayPal, MasterCard and VISA. In case of payment plans for longer programmes, as well as for our consulting, projects and marketing support services, payments can be done through bank transfer.
Do you provide any payment plans?
Yes. For our longer programmes and services with higher values and longer execution timeframes, we provide payment plans, usually through monthly instalments or split payments agreed in advance for each project.
What is your refund policy?
Our refund policy varies depending on the solution or service provided. The refund policy for webinars, online courses and programs is always stated on the respective landing page.
Do you sign non-disclosure agreements?
We will never disclose your proprietary information, nor share your details with any third party without your consent. For consulting, projects, and marketing support services, we usually sign mutual non-disclosure agreements. In any case, whenever we need access to information and documents about your business, we can sign a non-disclosure agreement to reassure you about our professionalism and reliability.
What is your privacy policy and are you GDPR compliant?
We are committed to your privacy. We have a strict Privacy Policy and we comply with the requirements and guidelines present in the GDPR Law. This means that we never share your information with anyone apart from the teams working on your project (and only when this is necessary to work with you), and use the information you provide only to contact you and inform you about content and solutions you have agreed upon while filling in our contact, sign up, registration, or other forms. In any case, you may unsubscribe from any of our communications at any time.
Contact us for more information