Kent-based business owner joins national effort to help small business realise opportunities

A Kent-based business owner and strategist is one of more than 3,000 business leaders that have signed up to become part of a national network of voluntary mentors to help small and medium-sized businesses realise opportunities.

Caroline Mitten has enjoyed a career spanning industries, capabilities and even markets with stints across the UK, the Middle East and North America. Now, she volunteers as part of the Help to Grow: Management course to help others too.

She said: “I’ve been hugely grateful for the mentors I’ve had throughout my career and was attracted by the opportunity to offer other business owners the same support. It’s a fantastic privilege to be invited into an organisation and share in its most complex challenges and brightest ideas.

“Working specifically with business owners and senior leaders is appealing to instigate real change and purpose at the top that can have a ripple effect throughout the organisation.

“It can feel isolating as a business owner. Having a mentor can create a safe space to test out ideas or problem-solve before you decide on a course of action. Mentoring can have a really broad reach focusing on the business side but also on you as an individual. For example, honing your leadership style or achieving your personal goals.”

Caroline believes there are three main characteristics that a good mentor should have.

“First is a belief that the mentee is the expert in their own life,” added Caroline. My role as a mentor isn’t to persuade the mentee into my way of thinking but rather to help them build confidence in their own path. Second is ruthless compassion it’s being truly authentic and not being afraid to challenge to help the mentee drive the best outcome.

“Finally, a sense of enjoyment. I think mentoring can offer a lightness and a reminder to have fun, as it is easy to get lost in day-to-day challenges as a business owner. Mentoring is such rewarding work. I’ve connected with a fantastic network of mentors through Enterprise Nation and received a scholarship for further study, helping me boost my own skills and capabilities.”

The Help to Grow: Management Course offers senior business leaders one-to-one support from an experienced business mentor included in 50 hours of leadership and management training across 12 weeks, with the government covering 90% of the costs involved. Training is delivered via a national network of over 50 Business Schools including Strathclyde.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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