Posted on Monday 22nd July 2024
A programme to give newly set up businesses in Staffordshire guidance during early operations through expert mentoring has been launched by the county council.
The new Staffordshire Start-up and Mentoring programme will provide start-up businesses an initial 12 weeks’ support via face-to-face and online meetings with a mentor.
In addition to events, seminars and confidence-boosting workshops, the programme will include networking opportunities, a comprehensive digital marketing audit and mentor matching service are also offered to participants.
The programme is being delivered by business support specialists The NextGen, which has a track record in helping fledgling businesses in the county plot a successful growth curve.
It will cover sales, marketing, finance, and HR, as well as integrating mentorship, community support, increased visibility, targeted marketing feedback and comprehensive marketing efforts.
Through the business’s first 12 months, they will be provided with ongoing support with a Start-Up Business Mentor who will give advice and guidance during that challenging first year of trading and recommend additional skills and training options.
The Staffordshire Start-up and Mentoring programme joins the wider Staffordshire Start Up Programme, set up by thew county council in July 2020 in response to the pandemic. Now it has grown to become the established go-to support package for start-up businesses. It includes Get Started and Grow, Start Up Loans and My Own Boss – providing guidance on accountancy, legal, human resources, marketing, funding, or coaching to ensure they have the tools they need to start trading their new business.
People can find out more about the mentoring programme and all of the county council’s business support schemes on its webpage.
Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said:
Our Staffordshire Start-up and Mentoring programme is an invaluable addition to our highly successful business support package, which continually goes from strength to strength.
It has proved to be hugely popular and is giving new businesses the confidence and additional skills they need to grow and thrive. Mentoring by experts through what can be an incredibly difficult period as a business gets established is extremely important.
We have more start-up businesses surviving through their early operations than the national average and we want that to continue. I’d urge any new business to get in touch with the team and find out how they can benefit now.”
Founder and managing director of The NextGen Kathryn Hyde said:
The programme is designed to get new business off to a great start and support their needs operating in a competitive environment.
The focus overall is on business model design, brand development and revenue generation, all with an emphasis on delivering the practical skills and confidence to help those with a new business, or looking to launch a new venture, to get the skills they need to start their journey.
It is crafted to address the immediate needs of new entrepreneurs and provide ongoing assistance that scales with their growth, ensuring our support evolves in tandem with their businesses.”