Mentoring
MENTOR PROGRAMME
The mentor programme provides expert business advice and management assistance through a panel of experienced mentors to cater for the business development needs of small local businesses.
The programme assists owner/managers who are in need of management and business advice from experienced business advisors over a number of one-to-one mentoring sessions in areas such as finance, sales & marketing, production, distribution, quality, business strategy, business planning and human resources.
Who Qualifies For The Programme?
There are three different mentoring programmes on offer as follows:
Developmental Stage Mentoring: This is aimed at those who can't attend a Start Your Own Business Programme and wish to gain expert advice on how to get started. This package costs €320 and consists of 4 mentoring visits (3 hours per visit).
Crisis Mentoring: This is aimed at businesses in difficulty that can't attend training courses but require immediate help with their business. It allows micro-enterprises (i.e. businesses employing 1-10 employees only) the opportunity to meet with a business mentor over a period of 1.5 hours to discuss the clients credit control, cash flow or other urgent issues. The cost of this service is €40 for 1.5 hours of mentoring. Additional hours may be granted if necessary.
Subsidised Mentoring: This is for client businesses operating within manufacturing and internationally traded service businesses, those who have been in receipt of a grant from the Board, or those who have the potential to be assisted by the Board. These clients may qualify for 3 to 5 mentoring sessions free of charge.
Mentors will be awarded, at the discretion of the Board for those businesses operating in the services sector.
How Do I Apply?
If you are interested in applying for the Mentor Programme, please click & complete the application form for mentor support in Application Forms.
THE MENTOR'S ROLE IS
- To listen
- To advise and counsel
- To help identify problems and areas for improvement
- Assist the Entrepreneurs in the preparation of a business plan
Or he/she contributes independent, informed observations to aid a company in its decision making process.
AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT TYPICALLY INCLUDE
- General Management
- Financial Structuring
- Production Planning
- Marketing
- Sales & Distribution
- Corporate Organisation
- Strategic Planning
- Human Resource Management
THE MENTOR WILL
- outline guidelines to follow
- point out strengths and weaknesses in proposed projects
- act as a confidential sounding board
- assist the entrepreneur in the preparation of business plans
However, the Mentor is not a professional consultant and under the terms of the programme, may not become actively involved in the day-to-day management or assume the role of executive in the company.
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS
- Each request for a mentor is dealt with individually
- Careful consideration is given to "match" between the requirements of the individual/company and the specialised skill and experience of the prospective adviser
- A Mentor will be suggested on the basis of information supplied by the individual/director
- Either the individual/company or the Mentor may terminate the arrangement at any time
- If assistance is needed in more than one field of expertise, one or more additional mentors may be assigned to the individual company
All submissions and contacts with the Meath County Enterprise Board will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
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