Business mentoring

The Business Mentor Programme | Business In The Community

The reality experienced when a small business is operating is often quite different from the original expectations of its owners.  Often people start a business because they have a technical or creative skill or an innovative idea, but may have little start-up knowledge or are without general management experience.

Getting bogged down with day to day issues can make you lose sight of your own dream. That's where having the expertise and knowledge of a Business Mentor can help get those business ideas of the ground and running!

The Business Mentor Programme

Business Mentors New Zealand (BMNZ), a service of Business In The Community Ltd, runs the Business Mentor Programme, which operates through 15 Agents nationwide.  BMNZ has over 1,500 independent volunteer mentors, who are experienced business people with a genuine desire to make a difference to small business – they are committed to sharing their skills,
knowledge and experience. Mentoring can provide peace of mind,
inspiration or simply a sounding board to bounce ideas off.

The mentoring service is available to any New Zealand company that has been in business for at least six months, with evidence of accounts, and less than 25 full-time employees.  There is also a specialised Export mentoring service available.  A registration fee of $100 + GST applies, which entitles applicants to use the mentoring service for two years. This is the only cost – the mentoring a business receives is free.

For more information go to www.businessmentors.org.nz  or phone 0800 209 209.

Business In The Community

Business In The Community is a private enterprise, charitable trust that has operated since 1991 supporting in excess of 50,000 businesses throughout New Zealand with a volunteer mentoring service. 

Business In The Community’s mentoring service, branded as ‘Business Mentors New Zealand’ (BMNZ) is 70% funded by approximately 100 private sector companies and 30% funded by Central Government via New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Business Mentors New Zealand has over 1,500 independent volunteer mentors, who operate from 15 licensed Agents throughout the country.  There is a wide variety of business skills and experience available.  BMNZ mentors may have senior management experience in a corporate environment or have successfully operated their own business.  What they all possess, is empathy for small business operators and a genuine desire to assist.