Chamber helps launch Mentoring Campaign

Mentors to support growing businesses across the region

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and The Business Growth Hub are working together to launch a major new drive to recruit more mentors to support growing businesses across the region, including many new Start Up Loan companies run by 18-30-year-olds that are currently receiving business support from the Hub and Business Finance Solutions.

The recruitment drive will include mentoring and networking events and workshops, direct mail and social media campaigns and is aiming to bring on board business people who have 'been there and done it' to pass on their knowledge and skills, to be a trusted confident and to share their insider insight.

Mentoring support might relate to a number of business issues, from new growth businesses, exploring finance to expand, setting new goals, facing a business dilemma to just needing a second opinion. The mentoring can take place in a number of ways – face to face, by telephone or email and as part of a wider group – and the Business Growth Hub mentoring team will set up a mentoring partnership that suits individual industry expertise, available time and interests.

Richard Jeffery, Director of the Business Growth Hub, said: “We’ve seen first hand what a huge difference mentoring can make to the business, personal and social success of both individuals and companies; it really is a money can’t buy investment in the future. Mentors also get a lot back from the experience, honing skills such as coaching, listening, giving feedback, development of self-knowledge and making new business contacts.”

Clive Memmott, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “There is a real need at the moment to find and match experienced business mentors with ambitious and growing businesses, which I believe is crucial for our region’s growth and prosperity. I have been lucky enough to have had a number of people to call upon for good advice and business insight throughout my career.

“Now it is our turn to share the wisdom and business savvy we have accumulated with the next generation of business owners and entrepreneurs. We want to appeal to business people across the region to help give just a little bit back to help some of the most exciting and entrepreneurial businesses in the region.”

The Business Growth Hub runs free of charge mentoring workshops to help potential mentors understand what’s involved and what the experience can offer them.