Business Mentors Put on Stand by in Canterbury

Business Mentors Put on Stand by to Help Cantabrian SMEs Cope With Crisis Aftermath

Business Mentors New Zealand, the nation’s number one not-for-profit mentoring organisation, has issued an alert to its 300 Canterbury based mentors putting them on standby to help the region’s SMEs get back on their feet after the earthquake crisis

Canterbury local Business Mentors’ Agent, Jill Taiaroa says: `It’s at a time like this that small and medium sized businesses really see the value an experienced volunteer mentor can add to their business. Our mentors are there to help them formulate a plan for getting their businesses running again. We’re geared up to help them cope with this crisis and we want them to know that they don’t have to face this alone.’

Ray Schofield, Business Mentors New Zealand CEO adds: `Over the coming weeks SMEs in the Canterbury region are going to need advice on how to tackle cash flow issues and an analysis of where their business priorities should lie. Some business owners may find it difficult to cope with this suddenly very challenging business environment which is where an experienced business mentor can be a real asset.

`It is a key part of our function to enhance small business sustainability by mobilising volunteer resources, utilising the skills and experience of successful business people to meet community needs by supporting the creation and retention of employment, and the alleviation of financial hardship in urban and rural communities.’

Business Mentors New Zealand was established in 1991. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to businesses that have been operating for at least six months and is the owner’s main source of income. A registration fee of $100 + GST applies, which entitles businesses to use the mentoring service for two years. This is the only cost – the mentoring received is free.

For more information on Business Mentors visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

ENDS