The challenges of running my own business, which I have never done before, are greater than I ever imagined. This group is something that I need so badly to help me and guide me to become a successful business in Whistler. Any knowledge that Sue Adams can pass on is priceless. -Keri Earnshaw, Whistler Therapeutics Inc., Whistler BC-
Mentor Advisory Forums
Mentor Advisory Forums are a fun, high energy way for entrepreneurs to connect with a panel of mentors and with other self-employed women across the province. Send us your questions, concerns, and challenges on the business topics listed below, then join us by phone from anywhere in the province to get solutions and new ideas from a panel of experienced mentors.
The next series of Mentor Advisory Forums will be starting Fall 2010.
How will the Mentor Advisory Forums work?
The Mentor Advisory Forums will be organized such that two or three mentors will participate in a one hour forum by telephone via a teleconference line provided by Women’s Enterprise Centre. A Women’s Enterprise Centre staff member will MC the forum, similar to the ‘Business Unplugged’ panel discussions we have hosted at events around the province in recent years. Any number of mentees can pre-register to participate and call in on the conference telephone line.
Each forum will have a pre-selected business topic gleaned from the successful sessions of peer mentoring groups. The mentors share their experiences and take questions from mentees, providing inspiration and encouragement. The format allows input from all participants so that, as with peer mentoring groups, new entrepreneurs benefit from hearing different viewpoints and shared concerns.
Women’s Enterprise Centre will, in conjunction with the mentors, determine the date and time for the forums, accept the registrations for the telecall, and will send a notice out to all mentoring participants in advance. All Forums will be posted on this website as will the link to register for the forum.
The role of the mentee
Mentees participating in the Mentor Advisor Forum will be in the first three years of business. They will participate because the issue being discussed is important to them and to their business success. Mentees must be open to listening to the ideas of the mentors and be able to ask questions on the topic being discussed.
The role of the mentors
Advisory panel mentors’ participation is based on the experience they bring to a panel discussing a specific topic. Mentors must contribute to the discussion and focus their comments to the topic at hand.
How to become a mentor for the Mentor Advisory Forum
If you have a specific area of business expertise and you would like to offer your wisdom and knowledge to new entrepreneurs across the province , please feel free to contact the Mentoring Program Coordinator at 1.800.643.7014 or mentoring@womensenterprise.ca to let us know that you will be a potential resource for these Forums.
For more information
For more information about the Mentor Advisory Forums and other aspects of the Mentoring Program offered by Women’s Enterprise Centre, please visit our website at www.womensenterprise.ca or contact the Mentoring Program Coordinator at 1.800.643.7014 or at mentoring@womensenterprise.ca .
