Small Business Network Mentoring Program
The Board of Trade’s Small Business Network supports an informal mentoring program where Board of Trade members donate their time to help small emerging companies gain the tools and relationships they need to succeed. By serving as a mentor, member firms can establish valuable future client relationships with smaller firms.
The main intent of the mentoring is to connect small business owners with Board of Trade members who can help improve the owners skills set and company operations. The Small Business Network is not responsible for teaming small company with larger Board of Trade companies, however, does keep track of a pool of mentors who wish to offer their services to small businesses who need them.
About Mentoring
Mentors are vital to the overall success of the Small Business Network programs. The types of mentors the Small Business Network encourages to participate may hold positions as community relations officers, procurement officers, diversity managers/agents, purchasing directors, or senior level personnel.
An ideal mentor would have knowledge of how a small businesses functions, perhaps through their duties as a business resource specialist or as someone who has run a small business themselves. Mentors might have background in regularly entering into purchasing agreements with small businesses. They may also have knowledge of the 8A and small/minority business certifications. One important characteristic the Small Business Network looks for in a mentor is that they can make themselves accessible to small businesses.
It is fundamental for mentors to be able to advise small business on resources inside their own company and introduce them to outside networks. Mentoring is teaching, training, advising and sharing one’s expertise in a particular area in order to help a person move forward in meeting his or her goals. Small Business Network Mentors role is captured through the following functions:
- Help a small business identify specific goals and how the small company can work to achieve successful results.
- Evaluate a strategic plan to assist a small business in setting goals.
- Accompany a small business owner to a networking event.
The benefits for small business owners are obvious – but there are many benefits for mentors.
- You’ll help your organization. Mentoring small companies can help give your organization a purchasing edge and piece of mind when looking for quality subcontractors. Knowing of a small company who is involved in the Board of Trade and who you are familiar with helps your organization do smart business.
- You’ll learn. By serving as a mentor, you’ll learn from small businesses. They’ll have knowledge you don’t have, maybe teach you a new job-specific skill, and help you enhance your people development skills, which you can use with your own employees.
- You could receive recognition from peers and superiors. Being an effective people developer won’t go unrecognized.
- You’ll review and validate what you know and what you’ve accomplished.
