LAUNCHPAD MENTORING MENTOR’S GUIDE

When engaging with Launchpad new entrepreneurs benefit from an extensive package of support including face to face advice, workshops, seminars and access to information. They develop knowledge, business plans, networks and ideas, with the support of an assigned Business Advisor. Launchpad provides additional support through mentoring given by highly experienced business professionals.

Sheffield City Region Mentoring Programme A key element of the support in place for new entrepreneurs is access to mentoring from people who have already run or held a senior position in business. We are currently recruiting experienced business leaders to volunteer to mentor new entrepreneurs who are about to start or are in the first two years of their business journey, passing on the lessons they have learned from the world of business.

We need youWe need your skills, knowledge and expertise to guide and challenge our new entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. Your contribution will make a huge difference to the quality of the support we offer, and we’re confident you will enjoy the experience.

Help us to create the next generation of businesses who will enhance economic growth across the Sheffield City Region.

What’s involved in being a Mentor?Mentoring is so valuable to new entrepreneurs to guide them through the critical early stages of their business formation and growth.

We ask that each Mentor:

• Be willing to commit the time required to develop the mentoring relationship.

• Inspire the Mentee to realise their potential.

• Establish a professional, constructive relationship with each new entrepreneur that they mentor.

• Identify, in partnership with the entrepreneur, the key issues they may face in developing a sustainable business model.

• Keep a record of meetings and outcomes so that progress can be monitored.

• Where appropriate, seek advice or refer Mentees to another point of contact.

The mentoring relationship will be supported by the Mentoring Team to ensure that maximum benefit is gained and the desired outcomes are achieved.

How much time is required?Mentoring will constitute support spread over an agreed period, with the possibility to add value through remote support via e-mail, telephone and Skype etc. The mentoring can be split into as many sessions over the period as is agreeable to both parties.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Launchpad Programme* is a ground-breaking regional initiative that provides new entrepreneurs with all the support they need to make their business dreams a reality.

Launchpad provides an unrivalled package of support which will give clarity, vision and purpose to the raw talent which many prospective entrepreneurs undoubtedly possess.

Launchpad nurtures the talents of new entrepreneurs and helps them fulfil their potential to become successful businesses.

Examples of additional value you may choose to provide to your Mentee could include:

• Providing access to equipment that they would find useful in the early stages of their business, for example, technical software.

• Putting the Mentee in touch with your network to provide specific advice.

• Assisting the Mentee with prototype manufacture, marketing or sales.

• Inspire the Mentee to realise their potential.

Meeting times, locations and any additional discretionary support you provide should be agreed between you and the Mentee within the scope of the mentoring action plan.

Mentoring for new entrepreneursMentoring is a great opportunity for new entrepreneurs to gain insight and support from experienced business leaders. We have provided some mentoring guidelines that may be useful as a reference for you.

A Mentor should:

• Agree “ground rules” around confidentiality, trust and frankness.

• Agree the process for meetings and contact.

• Listen, confidentially, to the issues that are worrying the new entrepreneur about their business.

• Give friendly, unbiased support and guidance.

• Remain open and honest.

• Apply a mature, flexible and patient approach.

• Highlight any ethical issues that may arise.

• Challenge, support and provide constructive feedback.

• Be a sounding board for ideas.

• Share knowledge, skills and expertise.

• Give on-going development support.

The mentoring “match”One of the key factors that make a mentoring relationship successful is an effective match. The Mentoring Team will make the best possible match by reviewing the Mentees’ profiles, and matching them to Mentors who have the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise. The Mentor identified will be given that Mentee’s requirements and offered the opportunity to provide the mentoring. An introductory meeting will be arranged by the Mentor and the mentoring action plan will be agreed and signed by both parties.

Safeguarding and mentoring:

Mentoring, by its very nature, is about one-to-one relationships, and you may often meet the Mentee on their own. We recommend you review the guidance provided on the website to safeguard the Mentee and yourself as far as possible.

Support for Mentors:

The Mentoring Team will provide all the support you need in your mentoring relationship including:

• Full guidance and support for completion of documentation, if required.

• Answer any questions and queries that arise during the mentoring.

• Exit discussion with collection of feedback and outcomes to complete the required records from both the Mentor and Mentee.

• Relevant and regular updates on Sheffield City Region Launchpad activity.

”Sometimes when running a business, it’s the little things that really matter and a mentor can help to discuss different challenges and opportunities they face, often drawing on their own experiences.”

Jack Brzuz, SME Business Academy, Mentor

Mentoring Action PlanAt the introductory meeting we recommend that you complete a Mentoring Action Plan with your Mentee. It should set out some basic guidelines and shared commitments to guide the mentoring relationship. You should document the Mentee’s aims and objectives for their business. This will provide the foundation for an effective plan which addresses developmental areas that are important to the Mentee’s business. It should be manageable and realistic and, most importantly aim to produce tangible results.

The plan should establish where the Mentee is now, where they want to be in the future and how they can reach their objectives and act as a foundation to move them and their business forward.

Some key questions to discuss include:

• What does the Mentee see as potential barriers to forming and growing their business?

• What skills do they want to develop?

• What developmental activities would help them the most?

• What knowledge do they need to acquire?

• What kind of networks or partnerships do they need to build?

• How will they apply new skills and expertise in their business?

The Mentoring Team will provide a meeting record template which Mentors can use for recording activities and progress. We do require a record to be kept of the Mentee’s progress which needs to be sent to the Mentoring Team after each session to satisfy the terms of our ERDF funding requirements.

“I’m Interested…...What’s next?”This is a fantastic opportunity for you as an experienced business person, to share your knowledge, skills and experience to help new entrepreneurs across the Sheffield City Region. It is hoped that the process will provide a rewarding and enjoyable experience not just for the Mentee but also for you as a Mentor.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Mentor or have any questions about the programme please contact:

The Mentoring Team Email: scrmentoring@doncaster.gov.uk Tel: 01302 736062 Like us on /SCRMentoring Follow us on @SCR_Mentoring

Sheffield City Region Map

*The Sheffield City Region Launchpad Programme is a £4 million initiative, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, to support new businesses from pre-start to two years old. The delivery partners include the Prince’s Trust, Barnsley MBC, Doncaster MBC, Sheffield CC, Rotherham MBC, Bassetlaw District Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.