A helping hand in those difficult times

Isolation can be one of the biggest problems for small businesses, leaving them without anyone to turn to for advice or support.

But help is available. Business in the Community, a non-profit organisation, provides free mentoring to thousands of small businesses nationwide.

The service matches experienced and successful business people, who donate their time, with small business operators needing help with issues ranging from management, sales and marketing, finance and accountancy to contract negotiations.

Chief executive Sarah Trotman was a business mentor before taking up her leadership role with the organisation at the start of last year.

The New Zealand branch of Business in the Community was set up in 1991. It has more than 1300 mentors and 22 agencies nationwide and, in the year to June 30, arranged mentoring for 4436 small businesses.

The original Business in the Community was founded in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. Today, its corporate membership includes almost all the Financial Times' Top 1000 companies.

The origins of mentoring date back to ancient Greece.

Mentor was an elderly friend and adviser of Ulysses, the Greek epic hero.

Before Ulysses went to fight in the Trojan war, he made Mentor the guardian of his son, Telemachus.

For 10 years, Mentor was role model, counsellor and teacher to Telemachus, who in turn, became his apprentice, disciple and student.

Prospective mentors can contact Sarah Trotman on (09) 525-0380.

People wanting a mentor should call toll free on 0508 103-400.

Business in the Community