According to Business Mentors New Zealand, the nation’s only not-for-profit mentoring organisation, the country’s SMEs are still struggling with the after effects of the world wide economic dip. This is reflected in the fact that the number of sessions taken by the 1,600+ volunteer mentors has risen significantly since 2009.
‘In the last 12 month period, BMNZ assisted a further 2, 385 clients, with mentor meetings exceeding 9,000 for the year,’ explains BMNZ CEO, Ray Schofield. ‘This represents a 44% increase in meetings over the previous year and suggests that clients are often faced with addressing a range of challenges and opportunities that are of a greater complexity than in the past.’
‘Many small business owners have never experienced a business environment like the one we are operating in at the moment,’ adds Ray Schofield. ‘That means they may need a little more support, whether it is advice they require, someone to act as a sounding board for ideas or they simply need an empathetic person to listen to the challenges and difficulties that they are facing. Sometimes that is all that is needed to reinvigorate a business owner and help them identify strategies and opportunities for future growth.’
As well as recovering from the global recession, many New Zealand businesses are also requiring extra assistance following disasters such as the earthquake in Canterbury and severe weather damage elsewhere in the country.
‘Individuals in hard hit areas will require a substantial increase in support to help them get back on their feet,’ says Ray. ‘That is why Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Economic Development responsible for the Canterbury Earthquake recovery programme, is utilising more than 300 of our volunteer business mentors throughout the region to help small-to-medium businesses recover after the quake. We have also waived our $100, plus GST, registration fee. It is hoped that this contribution will help families and neighbourhoods throughout the impacted areas recover quickly, both emotionally and financially, and get back to running their businesses as soon as possible.’
‘Despite the hard times businesses are going through, we are optimistic that things will improve,’ adds Ray. ‘The fact that so many SMEs are recognising how beneficial speaking to a mentor can be is a huge step in the right direction.’
Business Mentors provides access to 1,600 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge). The focus of the organisation is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation. Since the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 53,000 small to medium businesses. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to any businesses that are trading with evidence of accounts.
There is no limit on the amount of mentoring sessions. The term of the relationship with a mentor depends on the objectives and goals both client and mentor jointly agrees upon. They can also contact their co-ordinator at any point for further assistance