Women in Business Mentoring Program Northern Beaches Inspiring Women

	Women in Business Small Business Mentoring Program 2012
MENTORING PROVIDES A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION The Women in Business Mentoring Program run by the NSW Department of Trade and Investment has helped more than 7,000 women business owners to grow their business since its launch in 1995. The Program brings fundamental knowledge to achieve business success with the aid of co-operative learning and mentor guidance. Its proven methodology offers a combination of five business education workshops, two networking events and 10 hours of mentoring by an experienced business owner over three to five months, to assist you with your business growth. The Program offers an empowering environment where women feel comfortable to discuss their business issues and offer solutions to each other. Program components Workshops focussing on business growth are tailored to respond to current and real issues that affect your business. Topics include: Business Planning; Marketing; Finance and two extra business topics. Workshops are offered over 15 or more hours of interactive sessions. Business mentoring where participants are matched with an experienced volunteer business mentor who offers 10 hours of mentoring and an opportunity to discuss any business issues you may be facing. Mentoring may be face to face, group, or online. Benefits of mentoring Growth in confidence and self-esteem Improved knowledge and business skills Increased motivation and enthusiasm Understanding external business environments Overcoming isolation A toolkit of resources for your business What you will gain Women in Business offers long-lasting business skills, online discussion forums on relevant and real issues, coupled with networking opportunities with other like-minded female business owners. With over 15 years of proven success, participants have seen results with: Improved growth strategies for their business Increased access to business networks Increased turnover and improved cash flow Expanded product or service line Simplified business structures A business plan that is a working document A marketing plan that brings results Improved business basics knowledge Program criteria Participants must be committed to making a difference in their business and be: a business owner based in NSW own a full-time small business for over 12 months able to identify a business challenge they need assistance with be prepared to commit to growing the business and achieving commercial success. NSW Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services will contribute 50% - the Participant only paying $500 +GST. The Program is valued at $1000 +GST To apply for the program- email sue@inspiringwomen.org.au To reserve your space $100.00 deposit is required with the balance of $450.00 to be paid in February 2012. DATES OF THE 2012 WOMEN IN BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAM FOR 2012 ARE: Monday 30th January Mentoree Information Evening 6-8.30 pm Venue: My Office Services, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd, Frenchs Forest Monday 6th February Mentor Only Briefing 6-8.30 pm Venue: My Office Services, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd, Frenchs Forest Monday 13th February Meet your Mentor Night 6-9 pm This session will have participants meeting their Mentor, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), discussing expectations with your Mentor and setting up your first meeting with your Mentor. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 20^th February Session 1: Business Planning 6-9pm Learn about the planning process and set objectives for your business. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 5^th March Session 2: Financial Management & Fundamentals 6-9 pm Identify your own cash flow cycle, this understanding is important as it helps you identify and address the cause of your cash flow problems. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 19^th March Session 3: Marketing Session 6-9pm This session helps you to understand the basic tools and concepts of marketing.Identify what you are really selling, understand market segmentation and set future directions.- Markets to be targeted, key products/services to be offered. Develop strategies to improve on your Marketing Mix. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8, 49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 2^nd April Session 4: Special Project 6-9pm You will have identified a specific need at enrolment into this program and you will be have the opportunity to address your challenge in business and work on solutions. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8,49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 30^thApril Networking 6-8pm Find out about how networking can increase business with tips and tricks to be successful. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8,49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 14^thMay Session 5: Online Marketing 6-9pm This session provides an introduction to the concepts on online marketing - developing an online marketing strategy, website planning, social media and search engine marketing. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8,49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 28^thMay Session 6: Strategic Selling 6-9pm Understand the Sales process and how to use lead generation techniques . Use questions to uncover the information you need and identify customer reluctance and objections and learn how to overcome them. Venue: My Office Services Level 2, Bldg 8,49 Frenchs Forest Rd Frenchs Forest Monday 4th June Graduation & Mini Expo 6-9pm Venue: Warringah Council, Civic Drive, Dee Why. BECOME A MENTOR The Women in Business Mentoring Program relies on many dedicated volunteer mentors. A mentor must have a minimum five years recent experience as a successful small business owner or manager. The mentor must sign an agreement stating they will avoid all conflicts of interest and will no breach confidentiality. Strong communication skills are mandatory. Mentor application forms will be available shortly. Our sponsors and supporters are:


Read this article in The Daily Telegraph about one of our graduates!


Testimonials from Mentorees who just completed the Over 45 Entrepreneur Program. "The Over 45’s Entrepreneur program is a fantastic refresher course for all business owners that are a bit jaded and need new ideas on how to grow their business. It is also a must for all those just starting out in business who think they have all the skills necessary – prepare to be surprised! Having a mentor to share ideas with and talk about the ups and downs means that running your own business is less of a lonely uphill battle. All the speakers were motivating and encouraging and for me I have really seen the benefits particularly in my confidence levels. Being passionate about what you do is one thing but having the courage and momentum to succeed is what the program has given me." Lindsay Asquith- Women2Work "I would recommend this mentoring program (or anything similar) to any small business person who is trying to build and grow a business. There was lots of great information provided, new ideas and importantly lots of other business people who were in similar situations to meet. Having someone to openly discuss specific issues with was valuable and could often be challenging. As small business owners we often get caught up in the day to day details and don't spend enough time focussing on building and growing our businesses. Having guest speakers who have met and overcome similar challenges was invaluable. One of the biggest lesson that I learnt was that it is time to let go of some of the things I am doing, employing other people to do tasks which I am not an expert in, is often more cost effective and better for my business than me wasting my valuable time trying to do everything. If you are a small business owner, a sole trader or a business partnership who wants to have a successful business which will continue to grow despite the economic climate, make the decision to take some time away from your business for a few hours a week to participate in a mentoring program like this, you won't regret it.

For more information about the Women in Business program on the Northern Beaches contact Sue Heins on 0423 379 934 or sue@inspiringwomen.org.au or Paul William-Smith from Warringah Council on 9942 2233.

Women in Business 2011 Mentees Testimonials

"My head has just stopped spinning and my feet have hit the ground running. I have digested all the information and it has made me shift the way I see things in my business. I really appreciate the mentorees' pearls of wisdom and of course my mentor."

"Sue did an exceptional job of matching me with my mentor- expertise & personality match”

“Has exceeded my expectations. Great to have a mentor with strong management consultancy background, experience in working in a partnership and practical understanding of growth models and this could apply to our business. My Mentor's ability to listen, support and nurture has been so useful at this stage of my business partnership. I have gained many useful insights from my mentor and enjoy his exploratory approach- delving into issues and exploring options in a very lateral way. Has helped me make some very important strategic decisions and assisted me and my partner work through some sensitive issues and develop a shared future vision for the company”.

“ This was a fantastic mentoring relationship. I felt very comfortable with my mentor and able to ask her anything about my business”

“My mentor and I are a great match as in we communicate well, we get on well and she has been a great mentor for my type of business and personality”

“It has been a very rewarding experience. My mentor's warmth, respect and enthusiastic way made me feel safe and inspired to go through the whole process”

“My mentor is fantastic; she always had helpful suggestions and ideas for my business. Her nature is very relaxed and I always felt comfortable around her.”

“I was impressed by how well the session nights were. Fantastic guest speakers in all fields.”

Would you like to be a Mentor?

If you have a minimum of five years recent experience as a business owner or manager (any age) and would like to be considered as a mentor, then we would like to hear from you.

Mentors need to have strong communication skills, especially in listening and be prepared to sign agreements that preclude conflicts of interest and breaches of confidentiality.

Mentoring is a rewarding experience as the mentor can pass on knowledge, insights and skills to help business owners overcome hurdles and create new sales, jobs and profits.

If you would like to register your interest in becoming a Mentor you need to fill out a Mentor Application Profile and a quick Mentor Survey.

Click here for the Mentor Application Form
Any queries, please don't hesitate to contact Sue on 0423 379 934 or email sue@inspiringwomen.org.au


Why do Mentors give back? Here's some of their thoughts.. “I have found that it is inspiring to learn from these mentoree’s about how they learn and apply the skills. I have enjoyed it personally as it makes me realise how different we all are and also you forget about the passion that everyone has about their business. I love that.” “ I have found the involvement very rewarding. We never take the time to review our own personal performance in our own businesses, so this has enabled me to see how far I have already come.” “I enjoy watching the fog lift from a talented and determined young woman” “The program reconfirmed the benefits a mentor contributes to mentorees in assisting them to tackle tasks they often put off of find difficult to complete.”


Sponsors of Inspiring Women Networking Group Our major sponsor - My Office Services our media supporter

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MENTORING PROVIDES A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

To apply for the program- email sue@inspiringwomen.org.au

Sponsors of Inspiring Women Networking Group