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How We Can Help

Mentors are trusted business guides who share their in-depth experience to help you develop your business. Mentoring is about listening to you, helping you plan and keeping you motivated. Mentoring works surprisingly well because clients take an active part throughout the process rather than just being handed a file of someone else's recommendations at the end. Being told what to do with your business isn't a happy outcome, especially if you haven't been involved in the thought process.

 

Listening

Having a Mentor listen to your hopes and problems helps lessen the burden and can provide a valuable sounding board for future development. Your Mentor is skilled at looking at issues from a range of perspectives, providing practical insight and suggesting alternative viewpoints.

 

Motivation

It can be hard to get motivated when you lack a clear plan, or need skills you don't have or are overwhelmed by tasks that lie ahead. A Mentor can help with this. Because they are not directly involved with your business, mentors can cut through the day-to-day problems. They can help you look at the broader picture and work towards achieving set goals.

 

Helping you plan

Most businesses concentrate on today and not tomorrow. Yet knowing what to expect tomorrow is critical if the business is to grow. Our Mentors focus on both current issues and the future direction needed to make the business prosper. They will work with you to look to your future and help build a plan that sets out clear steps for you to follow.

 

Metropolitan and Regional

SBMS Mentors are usually retired or semiretired. As Volunteers, mentors offer their assistance at low subsidised rates and seek to help you make your business better. In most instances, the Mentor will come to you. Live outside of a mentors listed area (Mentors show the areas they can travel to or live in under their CV). Mentors will be happy to meet you at an agreed location. Suppose you are a regional client seeking a metropolitan mentor or the reverse. In that case, you can still choose any mentor if you are prepared to travel to their region to meet. In general, if a Mentor is selected that does not travel to your region, we will try to find a more local mentor.

Upcoming Events & Clinics

Stonnington Small Business Clinic

Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Providing general business information and guidance for business owners or those considering starting a business through 1:1 mentoring sessions. Available FREE to City of Stonnington businesses, residents and ratepayers.
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City of Kingston Small Business Clinic

Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Small Business Clinic - in-person 45 minute, 1:1 mentoring sessions for City of Kingston businesses, residents and ratepayers. The program provides general business information and guidance for current business owners or those considering starting a business. Mentoring vouchers are also available.
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Brimbank Vietnamese Business Migrant Program

Tuesday, 14 May 2024
SBMS has partnered with Brimbank City Council to help Vietnamese migrant business owners who want to get into business in Brimbank.
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Maroondah City Council Small Business Clinic

Wednesday, 15 May 2024
Small Business advice for Maroondah City Businesses Whether you're planning, starting or growing your business, SBMS mentoring sessions can guide you with the day to day management of your Business.
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