Mentoring in business refers to a relationship between an experienced businessperson (mentor) and a business owner (mentee). It can be used at all stages of the business maturity model and offers benefits to both mentors and mentees.
As an Indigenous business owner operating in the Torres Strait Region, you may choose to have a mentor for yourself or for your staff. Through the TSRA sponsored Business Mentoring and Support you can develop your business skills for free, which can help you achieve success earlier than you may have attained on your own.
TSRA Business Mentoring and Support is provided by highly experienced business mentors who are drawn from an existing panel of experts. These experts are selected on the basis of their knowledge, skills and ability to relate effectively with Indigenous peoples. They provide support and advice when it's needed. You can also get involved with formal mentoring programs run through government or industry associations.
Benefits of mentoring and support for your business
Mentoring offers opportunities for personal development and a range of other benefits for your business growth and sustainability.
Mentoring can help you develop your business through improved planning, performance and productivity. It can broaden your business networks, which can help you identify new opportunities, ideas and innovative solutions for your business.
Benefits for mentees
As a mentee, you can benefit from having a mentor if you are trying to get a new business off the ground or looking to grow a more established one. Your mentor can offer advice, support and guidance, which can help you improve your problem-solving skills and develop leadership skills. You can share ideas and problems with your mentor and they can act as a sounding board to help you make decisions with more confidence.
Professional Business Support
In addition to business mentoring, we also offer professional business support for eligible Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal owned businesses currently operating in the Torres Strait.
We offer a range of services including:
- Capability and skills assessment
- Book keeping and Accounting
- Financial Management
- Business Recovery and Turnaround
- Business and industry insights/market intelligence
- Business Development (including tendering and strategic pricing)
- Plus a range of other services
If you are interested in seeking the assistance of a business mentor and support service through the TSRA you should contact the TSRA Economic Development Programme on 07 40 690 700 or email economic@tsra.gov.au
You may also be interested in these free or low cost courses and programmes offered by other areas of government and the private sector that you may be eligible for:
- Small Business Building: Certificate III Micro Business Operations – a free online course to help you gain skills in operating a micro business. This can also lead to a nationally recognised qualification if you register to be accredited.
- Small business education program – online programs offered from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to help you learn about your rights and obligations as a business owner under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
- Fair Work Ombudsman’s Online Learning Centre – online courses for employers to learn skills and strategies for taking on employees.
- Business.gov.au - an online resource that provides simple access to information and services for business.
- Virtual Advisor Programme – offers free training to Indigenous businesses that want to set up an online business, or improve their skills in making the most out of the internet for their business.
Want to know what other business owners are talking about? Here are some Websites that may be of interest to you:
Working Solo? You’re not alone. Flying Solo is a web site aimed specifically at the micro business community, it contains a range of articles, podcasts, videos and newsletters. Some recent articles include:
- 9 Bad Habits that are Destroying your Productivity
- Building Confidence: tips and hints on how to build self-confidence, how to maintain self-confidence, how to identify your strengths and why it is important to communicate this confidence to your prospects by portraying a professional image
- 5 Tips that will Keep You and Your Business out of Financial Strife
- 4 great ways to help name your business
Since 2009 Supply Nation has been providing Indigenous businesses a unique level of access to corporate and government buyers. Expand your customer reach with Indigenous Business Direct. Recent Featured articles include:
- The Indigenous Procurement Policy to Drive Corporate Innovation
- The Value of Joint Venture partnerships
- 7 Ways Supplier Diversity Can Boost your Profits.
Interested in finding out what makes a successful entrepreneur? Learn about the common traits of entrepreneurs on the Queensland Government's Business and Industry Portal.