A Business Mentor?
Every entrepreneur should have a business mentor who can share their wisdom from past experience and who can coach you through your journey as a budding entrepreneur.
A business mentor is an individual who is more experienced and who is passionate about assisting the development of others. A good mentor challenges you, inspires you and helps you set goals then makes you accountable for achieving them. They will not do the work for you, they are there to support, develop and encourage.
Being a business owner can be very rewarding and not just financially but it can also provide a more flexible lifestyle to accommodate family and other interests however for business owners especially in the first 6 – 24 months they generally face challenges that can include controlling their costs and coping with variable income and cash flows while seeking to sustain and/or grow their business.
For any Pasifika business owner that is facing some challenges or issues that require practical advice and solutions the Pacific Business Trust recommends connecting with “Business Mentors NZ” which has over 1500 volunteer mentors who have practical business experience in a wide range of industries and also specialist expertise which includes business planning, finance, marketing, operations, human resources and even cash flow specialists. The business mentors provide their knowledge, skills and experience on a volunteer basis to give something back to communities and gain satisfaction through assisting small business owners to achieve their business goals and aspirations.
The knowledge and skills of an accredited business mentor that is available to the Pasifika business owner through “Business Mentors NZ” can provide a fresh perspective, useful feedback and ultimately potential solutions to a specific business issue or challenges that the business is facing. The key is finding the best match and the Pacific Business Trust can assist or alternatively provide the connection to Business Mentors NZ who guarantees “CONFIDENTIALITY to ensure that your business remains your business.
The Criteria is very simple and is available to any New Zealand Pasifika business/company that has been in business for at least 6 months, has a full set of accounts and has less than 25 full time employees and there are no limits placed on the annual turnover so the business can be large or small. Research by both independent and Government reports confirm that one-on-one mentoring offers the most practical assistance to the development and growth of small business throughout New Zealand.
The cost of engaging a mentor is just a one-off registration fee of only $100.00 Plus GST thanks to Government and industry funding and the Mentors who volunteer their knowledge, skills and time to assist business owners.
Quite often the Pacific Business Trust is contacted for help when it is too late and this is why we are encouraging Pasifika business owners to consider a business mentor sooner rather than later especially if they begin to question the ongoing commercial viability of their business or alternatively if they are seeking to grow their sales and profitability.
Are you currently facing any business challenges and/or issues and considering seeking some advice then do not wait any longer and contact one of our business advisors who can discuss with you in strict confidence the benefits of using “Business Mentors NZ” or alternatively you can contact them directly On-Line http://www.businessmentor.org.nz.
How can I benefit from having one?
- A bird’s eye view
A mentor can help you spot strengths and weaknesses that you may have overlooked because they are looking at things from a different perspective. - Support and Guidance
You will have many things run through your mind as well as things to remember. You may not be sure about something or have an idea that you want to trial. A mentor will offer you advice and guide you through your thoughts. They’re business professionals themselves and have probably been through it already so they’ll be able to caution you and advise you on what not to do. - A business sounding board
First and foremost the mentor’s role is to listen, encourage and challenge your thoughts. - Business Networks
Mentors will have some influence in the business community so they may be able to put you in touch with business people and community members that are also specific to the industry you are in. The more networks you have the better.
Contact an advisor now to access a mentor...