Some while ago the Government decided that there was
no longer a need for the physical entity called Business Link. As they had
already spent £34million on its website they said that was enough information.
They were persuaded that occasionally people starting a business would want to
talk to someone so they added in a call-centre facility as well.
As it happened the British Banking Association had
also persuaded them that they could provide 30,000 Business Mentors who would
all work for free and therefore why would new and developing business have any
need to go to an Enterprise Agency for help? Obviously this was seen as a great
way of saving money by the new Government who had begun to realise that
providing support for the new growth businesses that the economy needed was
going to cost money they could ill afford.
Naturally, they could trust the banking profession to
deliver on a promise, and they look as if they will have done so; the Mentorsme
website shows an increasing number of mentoring organisations as well as
individuals available. Whether all of them are free is a bit questionable.
My argument is not with the numbers or the cost, or how that relates to the initial promises made, but to the actual concept.
In my time helping small businesses I have acted as
Consultant, as a Business Advisor and as a Mentor and I am qualified in all
three areas so you could assume I know the difference. Unfortunately those
organising help for small businesses do not, particularly the difference
between an Advisor and a Mentor.
You can illustrate the difference by asking a
question. Someone is starting a small business and goes to someone for help.
They first ask “ How do I register as self-employed?” The Business Advisor says
“You need to register with HMRC for two reasons, because you need to pay class
2 National Insurance and you need to register for Self Assessment Taxation.
There is a form you need to download and complete on the HMRC website so go
to…” – you get the picture.
The Mentor, in answer to that question, should say
“Well, what do you think?”
This is a simplified situation but, I believe,
illustrates the misunderstanding between the two roles. The Business Advisor is
there to provide answers, the Mentor is there to provide guidance. We should
not confuse the two.
THIS BLOG IS FROM ADVISOR KEITH - Feedback welcome.
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