By Peter Boyes
I became a business mentor because I wanted to put something back into the local economy and community. On top of that, I knew I would get a real buzz from helping people move forwards with their businesses. Often, all small business owners need is a fresh perspective from someone independent of the company. That’s one of the unique benefits of the Business Mentors New Zealand programme – experienced businesspeople sharing what they’ve learned with up and coming companies, freely on a voluntary basis. There is no cost other than a $150 registration fee to cover administrative set up.
I am the managing director of Boyes Public Relations, an award winning communications and branding consultancy, but I also provide on a voluntary basis marketing strategy advice to organisations such as Howick Little Theatre, the Gay Auckland Business Association and Business Mentors New Zealand. I’m also a former regional chairman of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand and a member of the UK Medical Journalists’ Association. I became a mentor about three years ago, after working with Business Mentors New Zealand in an advisory role for some years. My main focus is assisting clients with their marketing and general business management skills.
Business Mentors New Zealand is a fully funded service of Business in the Community. It has over 1,950 knowledgeable volunteer mentors, all of whom are willing to share their skills, expertise and experience with small and medium sized business owners. Most mentors are either not available to SMEs on a commerical basis or would be far too expensive to retain. It’s another of the unique aspects of the Business Mentors programme – access to unrivalled expertise not available anywhere else in New Zealand. Even though I have a busy commerical life I enjoy a special satisfaction in getting stuck into my volunteer mentoring role.
All of the clients that I am mentoring are extremely motivated and are excited about taking their businesses to the next stage. They are very open to new ideas on how to maximise their business’s potential which makes for a great working relationship.
I spend between an hour and four hours a month with each client. Each mentor is different in how much time they spend with their clients but every one of them will use her own extensive experience in marketing, finance and business strategy to provide a valuable outside perspective, offer advice on specific problems and help each company pinpoint potential areas for growth. The long, in depth experience common to Business Mentors New Zealand mentors means they are able to help business owners avoid some common pitfalls and mistakes. One thing a lot of SMEs have issues with is business planning. Often, a business owner will have spent so many hours working in the business, focusing on the day-to-day tasks, that they won’t have taken the time to step back and think about where they’re going. Having someone come in from outside the company enables them to see their business from a different point of view. They can take a moment to consider what they want to achieve and how they’re going to get there.
It’s also important that the plan is written down on paper and updated regularly. Many business owners make the mistake of keeping any business strategy they might have in their head. Having it in a solid form keeps people focused.
Working for a wide range of business sectors in New Zealand and abroad over the past thirty years I’ve learned that planning ahead is something many businesses tend to overlook. They put off even attempting it because they just don’t know where to start. However, it’s important to have something in place, even if it’s the most basic option of a three or four page business plan.
Despite juggling a number of work commitments along with the mentoring, volunteer mentors get great enjoyment out of helping their clients succeed and I recommend mentoring to anyone who is knowledgeable in business, has empathy for others and a willingness to help others do well.
The Business Mentors service is a great resource for SMEs. I’m proud to be involved and every day I find it a hugely constructive learning experience, for both me and my clients which transfers into, enhances and informs my commercial activities.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor or think your business could benefit from having a mentor, visit our website at www.businessmentors.org.nz. The site provides information on the programme, case studies and has an exclusive support area for mentors. Peter Boyes is Managing Director of Boyes PR and Communications Adviser to Business Mentors New Zealand.
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