Business mentor: Courses offer big support for small business

I am a busy small-business owner, and I know that brushing up on some management skills would help me a lot. I don't have time to attend classes, and I don't want a diploma or anything like that. I'm just interested in getting some extra practical skills that will improve my business. What are my options?

Small-business sector specialist Sarah Trotman spoke to small-business lecturer Chris Matthews from the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand:

There is a wide range of education options for small-business owners to suit their different needs. If you desire a face-to-face session in either a classroom or one to one, there are several options. 

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) have contracted a network of enterprise training providers to deliver fully funded sessions around the country. There are also several educational institutions and private training establishments that offer low-cost single or two-day workshops.

Consultants and professionals such as accountants offer a range of advisory services, although in some cases you will have to be prepared for a higher cost. Business mentoring is offered through Business Mentors New Zealand. They have more than 1000 volunteer mentors with business experience who offer a free service.

If you are the type of person who is able to undertake solo study, then distance learning is a great option. It's ideal if you are a time-poor or geographically remote small-business owner because it gives you the convenience of studying at home at your own pace in your own time.

The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand specialises in distance learning and won the supreme award at the Vero Excellence in Business Support Awards last month.

The polytechnic is the major provider of small-business courses nationally and is also the only distance provider contracted to NZTE (so you can obtain fully-funded courses if you meet the criteria). Their courses are practical and designed so you can apply learning straight away in your business, whether you are just starting out or want to grow your business.

Run by the polytechnic's centre for entrepreneurship and enterprise, the small-business courses offer a modular approach. Students can choose the modules that suit their needs among topics ranging from planning, goal setting and handling cashflow to marketing, and dealing with staff and customers. There are also options for business advice and information.

Because studying by distance requires a lot of self-motivation, the key to success is ensuring you have a study timetable so assignments are completed in time and so that you can contact lecturers early enough to get help if you are struggling. It also helps to get family and friends on board so that they can help you free up time to study.

The alternative for the technologically savvy is to go online and learn from your computer. In New Zealand, this can be done through the Small Business Company. The Open Polytechnic is also launching online courses.

The most important advice is not how, when or who you train with but that you do it. Too many businesses fall by the wayside simply because they didn't give some time to improving their management expertise.

* More questions on small-business distance study options can be directed to Chris Matthews on toll-free (0508) 650- 200 or by email.