Frequently asked questions

Dorset Business Mentors is Dorset's own bespoke business mentoring service. It is a confidential service provided by volunteers who are drawn from experienced members of the business community and the professions.  

Dorset Business Mentors recruits experienced business and professional people as volunteers to help small developing businesses by providing a mentoring service to them.  

What sort of people make up the Dorset Business Mentors Team?  

Mentors are experienced business and professional people who are willing to give their time to help small and developing businesses in the rural Dorset area. There is a selection process on recruitment and all mentors are bound by a code of ethics they sign up to with Dorset Business Mentors. Mentors' specific commercial and professional backgrounds vary enormously, which provides the depth and variety of the Dorset Business Mentors service. All Dorset Business Mentors mentors work to the SFEDI mentoring standard.  

Who runs Dorset Business Mentors?

Dorset Business Mentors is managed on a day to day basis by the Programme Managers who report to a Management Group which is responsible for the finance and overall strategic direction and operation of the Dorset Business Mentors service. The Group consists of representatives of Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council as well as our mentors.    

Do Dorset Business Mentors work to specific standards?  

All Dorset Business Mentors work to the SFEDI standard for business mentors. (Small Firms Development Initiative Standard).  

All Dorset Business Mentors business mentors undergo :  

• A formal application process

• A personal interview

• A comprehensive induction into mentoring skills and Dorset Business Mentors processes

• Continuing Professional Development opportunities for training in specific subject areas  

There are also:  

• Regular surveys of client businesses and referrers to help pinpoint areas that work well and areas that could benefit from change.

A Code of Standards and Ethics that all Dorset Business Mentors Business Mentors sign up to which covers a multitude of practices expected of mentors akin to those that might be expected of any professional business service.  

What does accessing the Dorset Business Mentors service cost the business?

The cost of the service depends on the size of your business and where the business is based. For businesses with a turnover of less than £85,000, costs start from just £200 (+VAT). For businesses turning-over more than £85,000 the charges start at £240(+VAT). And for businesses wishing to renew, there is an admin charge of £35 in addition to the appropriate charge. The fee includes access to our workshops and networking events, plus support from other mentors as you progress towards your objectives.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

How can a Dorset Business Mentor benefit a business?  

The experience gained by a mentor throughout their business and professional career can be brought into a developing business through the mentoring relationship at any stage of its ‘life-cycle’. The mentor is not there to run the business nor to see it run the "way they did it". The business owner is in full control with the mentor behind them all the way. However, experience is invaluable in working through to the best business decision and mentors can help to formulate and test business plans and solve problems. It is worth keeping in mind that as your business needs change, so can your mentor or you can simply tap into the experience of additional mentors as needed.  

What types of business can have a Dorset Business Mentor?

Most types of SME business can be assisted by the Dorset Business Mentors service provided clear growth benefits can be identified for the business and business owner. The referring organisations and project manager will run through the criteria for this with you. It is very flexible in its application.

How long will a Mentor work with a business?  

There is no pre-set period of time. A mentor can remain with a business for as long as there is a need and the business is benefiting from the relationship. Some businesses access mentoring for one year while others, having established an effective relationship, have had the same mentor for over 10 years!

Do Dorset Business Mentors work together sometimes?  

Yes. Mentors are encouraged to bring in other mentors where a business could benefit from their experience. It is possible to have two mentors both mentoring the business equally, which will mean that the business will have two mentoring relationships, or there will be a "lead mentor" who will maintain the principal mentoring relationship.  

Our programme also offers role mentoring to senior management, and as a business grows it is common for us to then receive requests for additional mentors to work 1:1 with managers of key departments such as finance, HR, marketing and business development.

In either case, the project manager will discuss the likely benefits to the business with the mentors and co-ordinate work to make sure that everyone knows what is being done by whom.

Are you are planning or just starting a new business?

It may be a little early to start working with a mentor, who can usually add most value when a business is already up and trading. However, it may be that you are developing a new strand to an existing business, one that requires new skills and knowledge, or have considerable experience already, in which case a Mentor could start to work with you immediately. Please get in touch and we can clarify when would be the best time for you to request a mentor. 

Do you have a problem that needs advice or information, including specialist help or an area of regulation or contact details for organisations?

Dorset Business Mentors guide, they do not give advice as business consultants – and this in itself can be a distinct advantage as a form of support. However, they will help to highlight when specialist help is required, particularly where the matter relates to the law. An example might be where an HR professional, Solicitor or Tax specialist should be consulted.

Do you have a problem that needs urgent support?

Mentoring does not guarantee a quick fix for issues but it can help prioritise and set you on the right road and its benefits are recognised to increase over time. We advise giving us a call to ascertain whether mentoring is the right choice for you at this time.

Are you facing difficult decisions in connection with your business and could do with someone knowledgeable and experienced to talk them through with?

We will take care to propose and match you with the Dorset Business Mentor best suited to support you. We have mentors who are also highly experienced in particularly challenging situations (such as that presented to many businesses by C-19) and we will ensure you receive the appropriate support quickly.

Mentors are there to help you succeed in your aims and will foster an encouraging atmosphere. However, they are impartial, and mentors may help you to discover things about your business that are unexpected or challenging e.g. perhaps your favourite product or service is not profitable or skills need to be developed among employees?

Although a mentor would help you prepare a plan and strategy to address such issues, if you would rather not discover them in the first place then probably mentoring is not right for you. However, it is worth remembering that your mentor is there to support and enable you, not embarrass you. In fact they are there to help you flourish, and with an open mind your business can overcome the elements that are restricting growth.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IN TERMS OF COMMITMENT

AND EXPECTATION?

Are you expecting to receive advice?

Mentors guide rather than give advice. This is inevitably a thin line but the mentor’s role is to guide, frame and reflect your thinking to help you achieve your goals. A mentor will never make decisions for you nor tell you not to do something if they disagree with you. However they will bring their experience to bear and you may find they stress-test your decisions so you fully understand the opportunity and risks associated with them. Likewise if they feel you might benefit from exploring something new this is not advice, rather this is the sharing of experience and knowledge. You are in the driving seat of your business and all decisions are your own.  

How often do clients and mentors normally meet?

There is no hard and fast rule on regularity of meetings, but typically, most clients and mentors meet for about one and a half to two hours every four-six weeks - perhaps even more frequently to start with, depending on the needs of your business. If you cannot commit the time to this, it's probably best not to start in the first place. However, it is worth bearing in mind that your mentor can assist with time management, breaking things down to priorities so they are achievable, and that you will find that by making the time you will reap the benefits.

Can I establish if my Mentor is a good fit for me before I commit?

Yes, we regard this as essential! When we propose a Mentor you have an opportunity to meet without obligation on either side. We want you to feel comfortable and confident that the Mentor is a good fit for you. Only when you are happy to proceed will you be required to enter into a service agreement with us and your invoice processed. If not, then we will listen to feedback from you and the proposed Mentor, and consider which of our other Mentors could be a suitable fit.

Can you guarantee I will receive a Mentor?

Dorset Business Mentors seeks to support business owners with a clear growth potential. All our Mentors are volunteers and as such are free to decide if they feel they can benefit a client before they commit to working with them under the terms of our Client Agreement. In very rare cases, we are regrettably unable to identify a Mentor who is willing to work with a client.

What if the relationship with the business mentor doesn't work out?  

Mentoring relationships are almost without exception very successful. However it is inevitable that very few may not work out. In the event that the relationship experiences any problems the Dorset Business Mentors programme manager should be the first point of contact. A solution might be a change of mentor or withdrawal from the mentoring relationship. Withdrawal is rare. The Dorset Business Mentors project manager will be able to work through any problems and hopefully find a solution that enables you and your business to progress and succeed with the Dorset Business Mentors service.