How to get a business mentor
The following organisations have business mentoring programs that can help match you with a mentor most suited for your business and situation.
Services from Business Mentors New Zealand
Business Mentors New Zealand delivers a business mentoring programme that is partly funded by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). More than 1,400 volunteer mentors offer an extensive range of business knowledge, skills and experience.
Registration costs $150+GST, but there are no other costs.
Free business mentoring for Canterbury SMEs
The government is providing an additional economic support package to help support small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Canterbury region affected by the earthquake.
Over 300 experienced volunteer business mentors will provide guidance to businesses affected by the earthquake. Business Mentors New Zealand has waived the $150+GST registration fee for mentoring.
Visit the Business Mentors New Zealand website for more information and to sign up for mentoring services.
Mentoring Service from Te Puni Kōkiri
The Māori Business Facilitation Service at Te Puni Kōkiri provides advice and guidance to new and existing Māori businesses. The Māori Business Facilitation Service does not provide funding but can help with, facilitation, brokerage, mentoring, coaching, problem-solving, networking and accessing resources and referrals to other business services.
Visit the Te Puni Kōkiri Maori Business Facilitation Service website for more information.
Find a consultant through Institute of Accredited Business Consultants (New Zealand)
The institute provides leadership in the professional development and accreditation of business consultants. Its accredited mentors have been through a rigorous evaluation and approval process.
Visit the Institute of Accredited Business Consultants (New Zealand) website for more information and to find an accredited consultant.
The advantages of using a mentor
Mentors can help you step back from your business and look at the “big picture”, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you may have overlooked. They can also serve as a sounding board for your ideas, and help you to develop these ideas. Providing connections to key business people and customers is another role that a mentor will serve.
A successful, growing business brings new challenges such as hiring new staff, raising new capital and entering new markets. A mentor can offer helpful advice, caution against potential pitfalls and instil confidence in your plans.
Having a mentor won’t automatically fix all your business challenges. It takes time and effort to implement changes. A mentor can help you set goals and milestones as well make you accountable for delivering on them.
