By RAY SCHOFIELD
The 24 agencies that are the "glue" for Business In The Community's free Business Mentor Programme have met in Auckland to review progress and discuss plans.
BITC, operating since 1991, is primarily a private sector-funded independent organisation. This "independence" was endorsed by the agencies and representatives of Government groups
attending the conference. BITC is supporting Government initiatives to complement the wide range or services offered by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.
In a New Zealand Trade & Enterprise booklet called Growing Your Business - services for small to medium enterprises, BITC's Business Mentor Programme is recognised as a key programme to help small business, from the early stages of growth to global expansion.
Two new agencies have joined the BITC programme recently, Aoraki Development Trust in Timaru and Venture Southland in Invercargill, extending BITC's nation-wide coverage.
BITC delivers its Business Mentor Programme through more than 1300 mentors who provide a pool of free expertise, coaching and a valuable "sounding-board" for small business.
In the past two years mentors have completed more than 9000 assignments, evidence of a strong level of demand for the programme.
Since launching its website in February 2003, BITC has seen the number of people registering interest in the programme, via the web, jump to over 65 per cent of enquiries.
Further improvements are planned.
During the conference, "The Business Club" was endorsed as an effective networking and educational concept. Some of BITC's patrons, including Hudson, Microsoft, Baycorp Advantage, KPMG and NBPR, contributed to the fresh thinking on how BITC business mentors could contribute to small business growth in New Zealand. With financial support from the private sector and a strong partnership building with Government programmes, the "independent" contribution by Business In The Community to New Zealand small business looks assured.
* Ray Schofield is chief executive of Business In The Community
* Business Mentor, 0800 103400.
