Business owners on the Mid North Coast looking for support in the current economic climate are being urged to register for a heavily subsidised mentoring program.
"Mentoring for Success" is to be delivered by the Enterprise & Training Company Limited (ETC) and is partially funded by the Australian Government.
ETC's Business Solutions manager, Ruth Gollan, said the objective of the program was to maximise the growth potential, prosperity and sustainability of small business.
"Mentoring for Success" offers a much needed opportunity for business owners to take stock of their business, review the impact of the economic crisis and plan for success with the help of trained facilitators," Ms Gollan said.
"Normally, intensive business support of this type would cost businesses thousands of dollars. However, funding from the Australian Government has enabled us to deliver it at a much reduced rate of $440 per participant."
Ms Gollan said the six month program, which featured group workshops of no more than 10 participants and one-on-one support with trained facilitators, would help business owners:
- Identify the current strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in their business
- Review the impact of the economic crisis on their business
- Prepare some goals and solutions to identified problems
- Implement and monitor solutions over the next six months
- Build a confidant for business discussions
- Build rapport with a local network of like-minded business owners
- Gain support from bankers, accountants and HR specialists
The program begins in May and will be delivered in Bellingen, Dorrigo, Nambucca, Macksville and Kempsey.
"Business owners who have been operating a business for 1-2 years, with one to five employees, are eligible to apply for this support," Ms Gollan said.