Roger Gordon: Business mentors

On July 1, the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce took over the role of administration and co-ordination of the Rotorua business mentors programme. I thought in my column this week I would clarify a couple of aspects of the programme.

Who are business mentors?

They are experienced business people from either small or large business environments. They may have senior management experience in a corporate environment or have successfully operated their own business. Because of their background, they have empathy for small business operators and entrepreneurs and have a genuine desire to assist.

Why would a business consider applying for a mentor?

A business mentor provides a fresh perspective and can help a business owner take a step back and see the bigger picture. They can assist in identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for growth that may have been missed by managers too close to the business.

What are the benefits to me as a small business operator?

The mentor can provide you with:

independent, impartial suggestions, peace of mind, increased confidence, a fresh perspective, inspiration or simply a sounding board to bounce ideas off for growing your business;

assistance to put improvements into practice, support which is not often available after attending a business course or workshop;

an empathetic person to listen to the challenges and difficulties you face - sometimes this alone is all that's needed to identify strategies and opportunities for growth;

mentoring can challenge you to go further, set new goals and achieve better results.

Successful mentoring depends on the commitment you make to the mentoring relationship!

How much will it cost me to get a business mentor?

You can receive up to two years of personalised New Zealand business mentoring FREE for a one off registration fee of just $150 + GST.

How do I know if I am eligible?

The mentoring service is available to any New Zealand SME business that is currently trading and employs fewer than 25 employees. However, if the business you are applying for is not your primary source of income, you will need to contact your regional co-ordinator to discuss before registration.

How do I apply?

There are two ways. You can either ring the Chamber and speak to Angie who will take you through the process. Alternatively you can go direct to the business mentors web site. Once you have paid your registration fee, your application will be forwarded to Angie and she will match you with a mentor who is best suited to your specific business circumstances and requirements. The mentor should contact you within 10 working days to arrange to meet. The term of your relationship with a mentor depends on the objectives and goals you jointly agree upon. You can contact Angie at any time for assistance.

We think business mentors will considerably enhance the services we offer Rotorua businesses.

- Roger Gordon is chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce.