The health of South Australia's economy relies very strongly on the capabilities of a large number of small businesses.  The future of these companies provides an overall balance in the scheme of how South Australian’s and our State perform both in lifestyle and economical outcomes. 

It is essential that we encourage experience business owners or managers to share their hard-earned knowledge and experience to support the growth of these small businesses. 

Knowledge Plus is seeking business people to fulfil the role of Mentors in the Knowledge Plus Leverage mentoring program. Prospective Mentors should have a minimum of 10 years experience as a senior manager or an owner of a business or businesses. Please note it is not essential that you currently own a small business, but it is essential that you have had that experience recently.

Mentor Trademark

Benefits to Mentors
Mentor Commitment

Role of Mentor

 

The Knowledge Plus Leverage Mentor is someone who can act as a sounding board to small business owners for ideas and plans.  Knowledge Plus Leverage Mentors bring their own unique experience of life and business, and are willing to share their skills and know how with small business owners or managers of small businesses. Most importantly Knowledge Plus Leverage Mentors have the generosity of spirit to share their hard-earned knowledge and experience.

Knowledge Plus Leverage Mentors are not consultants; they will only advise from their own experience and act as sounding boards for the members. The mentor’s role is to support, stimulate and challenge.

Mentoring is challenging and stimulating for both parties. A mentor will feel considerable satisfaction when the members report successes and will have a sense of “putting something back” into the wider community.

The experience aims to equip both mentors and members with the abilities to better identify, create, initiate and manage personal, work, business and community opportunities and issues.

Most importantly as a Knowledge Plus Leverage mentor you will be helping to develop future business leaders and decision makers in South Australia and inspiring others to become valuable community builders.

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There is much you can gain from becoming a part of the Knowledge Plus Leverage Program.

 

Benefits to Mentors

1. Make a significant contribution to South Australia economic development through sharing your knowledge, experience and expertise

2. Become a part of the network of Knowledge Plus Leverage Mentors, supporters and sponsors

3. Opportunities to network with a highly energised and focused group of business owners / managers

4. Opportunities to address forums and conferences and access to other business people

5. Contribute to development of members’ small businesses.

6. Gain insights to members’ background and history that can benefit the mentor’s professional and personal development

7. Recognition and possible media exposure

8. Gain satisfaction in sharing expertise with others

9. Enhance your organisation’s corporate image by supporting the South Australian small businesses. 

10. Re-energize the mentor’s career

11. You may attend and contribute to the business skills workshops in your area of expertise.

12. You will be able to participate in an online business forum in your area of interest and expertise.

13. You are invited to attend the networking event to develop and expand your business connections, and to share your mentoring experiences with other mentors on the program.

You will also have the opportunity to influence the outcomes and the future direction of the program.

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Mentor Commitment

Mentors assist small businesses in the following ways:

1. Mentor Briefing Session – There will be a two hour evening briefing session which will give an in-depth explanation of the Program and the role and responsibilities of a Mentor.

2. Meet Your Mentor Night – There will be a two hour evening session where Mentors and Mentorees will be matched up and agreements outlining the mentoring relationship are signed.

3. Mentoring – providing face to face mentor support for at least 2–3 hours face to face meetings per month for the duration of 10 months . The timeframes of meetings between you and the Mentoree are to be jointly agreed. Knowledge Plus will coordinate the meetings.

4. Take on the role of mentoring which requires a commitment of.  Time commitment after that can be on a needs basis.

5. Offer time to participants on a one-off or needs basis at leverage program meetings.

6. Provide on-line advice to the Knowledge Plus Leverage program participants via email or online forum.