ASBA Business Mentoring Program

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Levels of Mentoring• Entrepreneurial

• Business owners and management team• Emerging Professionals

• Professional development• Assist high potential employees to identify

and maximize their potential.• Executive

• Assist senior level leaders to develop personal, organizational and leadership traits and skills

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Who is ASBA?• Arizona Small Business Association

• Largest trade association in the state

• Almost 40 years of operation

• Over 11,000 members

• 13 staffers in Phoenix / Tucson

• Started as a benefits option for small business3

ASBA Member Benefits• Advocacy• Discounts on Services• Grant Assistance• Insurance Coverage• One to One Business Services

• Mentoring• Coaching• Fundamental Business Elements - Future

Service 4

What is Mentoring?• A professional relationship

whereby an experienced person (the mentor) assists another (the mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth.

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• We offer specific business assistance to business owners and business professionals via a trusted, experienced advisor, with the specific skill sets necessary to fulfill the needs of those looking for the assistance.

ASBA Mentor Team• All mentors are volunteers• All mentors are ASBA members• 20+ mentors on the team• 6 mentors comprise the leadership team• Over 450 years of business experience around

the table• Mentors must complete the Tri-Metrix

Assessment• All mentors have been self-employed at some

point in their career, but not required to be6

Our Mission & VisionMission

Helping Businesses Achieve Their Dreams

Vision

To provide small business owners/operators access to people and resources to develop and grow, both

personally and professionally. 7

Our Process• Prospect must apply to be mentored

• Applicant must take the TriMetrix Assessment (TM)

• Applicant must come in for an interview

• Applicant is then reviewed for alignment into our system

• Mentor Match process engaged

• Mentor program initiated, if approved 8

Next Steps• Mentor either accepts or rejects the

assignment• Mentorship initiates via email introduction to

parties• Mentor receives mentee “packet of

information”• Mentor and mentee meet to review “ground

rules”, “mentee obligations” and objectives of the mentee

• 16 or 32 week program, 60-90 minutes each week

• Meetings are conducted in person, via conference call, or a combination of both

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What our Mentors Do• Advises the mentee about a specific issue• Coaches the mentee on a particular skill• Facilitates the mentee’s growth by sharing

resources, processes and networks• Challenges the mentee to move beyond his or

her comfort zone (using TM as a guide)• Creates a safe learning environment for

taking risks• Focuses on the mentee’s total development

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During Mentoring Process• SMART Goals are established

(written/reviewed)

• Outcomes are measured each meeting

• Mentee progresses, or meetings stall

• Mentor role is advisor, not doer

• Surveys done at half-way and end point

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What is Accomplished• Business Plan development• Manuals, policies, systems are created• Plans take shape (marketing, sales, financial,

etc.)• People are hired, fired, developed• Businesses are acquired, transitioned, or sold• Programs develop and are implemented• Owner is transformed

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Observed Mentee Benefits• Gains from the mentor’s expertise• Receives critical feedback in key areas, such

as communications, interpersonal relationships, technical abilities, change management and leadership skills

• Develops a sharper focus on what is needed to grow professionally

• Learns specific skills and knowledge that are relevant to personal goals

• Enhances their strategic business initiatives13

Observed Mentor Benefits• Gains insights from the mentee’s background

and history that can be used in the mentor’s professional and personal development

• Gains satisfaction in sharing expertise with others

• Re-energizes the mentor’s focus on own business

• Creates a relationship that lasts beyond the program

• Gains insight from the other mentors, some which they have co-mentored with 1

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Our Success• Our mentees make more money and create

more sustainable businesses• Our system works…no matter who the mentor

is, we get ringing endorsements from mentees

• Mentored over 40 businesses in 2013 and have a target of 50 for 2014

• Systematic approach for on boarding of mentors, mentees and the delivery of the mentoring process

• 35% of all mentees were not ASBA members 15

Thank you for your time today!

Q&A TIME

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