4. Fun Fact
Did You Know - The word
itself was inspired by the
character of Mentor in
Homer's Odyssey!
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5. The Definition
“Mentorship is a personal
developmental relationship in which
a more experienced or
knowledgeable person helps to
guide a less experienced person.”
wikipedia
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10. Who Am I?
• Chartered Accountant
• Corporate Stooge
• Referral Marketing Specialist
• Social Media Addict
• + outside interests...
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11. Who Am I?
• Recognised social media person - Linked-in, Twitter, Slideshare,
Facebook....
• Regular posting on CCBM website & other original content to share.
• Linked-in guru - 30+ published posts (nearly 2250 followers / 2150+
connections)
• 100+ recommendations & hundreds of endorsements on LinkedIn
•Most successful RD in BforB history
•Well respected in Staffordshire & beyond community - helped
hundreds of new business / start-ups / established businesses
•Mentoring fan!
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16. The Challenges
No Experience No Job
No Money No Network
No Customers No Focus
No Reputation No Plan
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17. Let’s Do Mentoring
• Programme Started In Staffordshire in 2006
• End 2013 Review:
A. 200+ successful “interventions”
B. Over 100 jobs created or safeguarded!
• North Staffs focus initially - now County Wide
• Now funded by ERDF
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18. The Team
• John Thompson
• Leila Green
• Ann Steele
• + Rest Of Chamber’s Business Services Team
• & 90+ Mentors
Social Media - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc.
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19. The Marketing Spiel
• SME based in Staffordshire? Our mentoring scheme could be for you.
• Whatever stage of your business - you can benefit from having a mentor.
• Primary role of a mentor is to provide support and guidance to businesses.
• Mentor provides the conduit for the transference of skills and knowledge.
• Mentoring provides you with non-judgmental support based on your situation.
• Less of a formalised professional relationship and more of a partnership.
Mentors sign up because they have a wish
to share their extensive skills and
knowledge to give something back to the
people and to the area they live in.
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22. The Why
• Mentors have often suffered same experiences you’re going through!
• They will look to share their wisdom with you based on their experiences.
• They will listen to your issues and encourage you to generate solutions
and create strategies which will help your business to flourish.
• Many commercial disciplines that can be addressed including:
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1. Sales and Marketing
2. Social Media
3. Funding
4. Finance
Plus many more!
23. The Offer
• 12 Hours Fully Funded
(15 if Chamber Member)
• SME based In Staffordshire
• Minimum paperwork and reporting
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24. Mentoring Is Not!
• Task Orientated
• Short Term
• Performance Driven
• Involves A Higher Authority
• One-size Fits All
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25. Role Of The Mentor
• Consistency
• Providing honest feedback
• Empowering solutions
• Help set goals / tasks / targets
• Practical help wherever possible
• Honouring the limits and boundaries but keep pushing them
• Listening is hard but advice is easy
We could all use more listeners in the world!
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26. Is It For Me?
• It’s your job, not your mentor’s job.
• Think commitment, not lip service.
• Show up for the relationship.
• Give back and get more back.
• Keep expectations realistic.
• It’s risky, but it’s healthy.
• Don’t be afraid of your mentor’s silence.
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28. What Do We Cover
Sales Marketing Networking
Social Media Finance Resourcing
Governance Operations Accounting
Tax HR etc etc
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31. The Ask
• SME based in Staffordshire?
• Our mentoring scheme could be for you!
• Whether pre-start, start-up or existing business you
can benefit from having a mentor.
• Is this You or Someone You Know?
• We want successful “interventions” not half-hearted
attempts - don’t do it if you don’t want the help!
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32. And In Conclusion
• Mentoring Rocks!
Wish I had a Mentor when I first started!
• Ask a Mentee about it - could it work for you?
• Contact us
• Look out for us on
Social media and share our successes.
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