Business Mentors Corporates To Support SMES

Media Release
Date: Thursday, 6th August

Business Mentors New Zealand Rallies Corporates To Support SMES Through Recession

Business Mentors New Zealand, the nation’s only not-for-profit mentoring organisation, is calling on larger companies to give a helping hand to get small to medium size enterprises through the recession.

‘A donation of $1,000 will enable five more New Zealand SMEs to access valuable mentoring advice and support,’ says Business Mentors CEO, Ray Schofield. ‘We are hoping that more companies will get involved so that we can continue to provide our unique business mentoring service to New Zealand businesses.

BMNZ has reported a surge in small to medium companies needing business advice as a result of the difficult economic environment. During the first half of 2009, BMNZ saw mentoring requests increase by 60% over the same period last year.

According to Ray Schofield, the fact that more companies are taking advantage of the service is a positive move in the right direction as getting the right advice can give them a higher chance of surviving the economic chill. However, the increase in mentoring enquiries comes with its own set of challenges for Business Mentors.

‘While it is encouraging that more business owners are realising that bringing a mentor on board can help them deal with these tougher times, this huge increase in demand is putting a substantial strain on our own resources,’ explains Ray.

‘In this country, SMEs make up 97% of all businesses, with 86% employing less than six people. These companies represent approximately 40% of all employees in New Zealand. They are the backbone of the New Zealand economy and it is makes social and business sense to protect, guide and nurture them.’Business Mentors provides access to 1,600 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge), and the focus is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation.

Since it the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 49,000 small to medium businesses. 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.For more information on Business Mentors and how to become a Member Patron by making a donation of $1,000, visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

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