Unique challenges face business owners, and sometimes the only people who understand that are other business owners.Business operators looking to share their experiences and learn from others are invited to join the business exchange peer mentoring program.
"This is about working on the business rather than in the business," said Greg Welstead, executive director of the Sunshine Coast Business Retention and Expansion Society (SCBRES).
The program was jointly developed by the Leadership Management Development Council (LMDC) and Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), which then recruited SCBRES to be the local organizer on the south Coast. The support network has run successfully in other places such as Port Alberni where it has been operating for 10 years.
The program is slated to start in the fall once business owners and sponsors have come forward. Welstead hopes to have two groups meeting.
"We will tailor it to the Coast and have two pods, one in Sechelt and one in Gibsons, "he said. For an annual fee, groups consisting of non-competing businesses meet once a month for two to four hours. Guest speakers will be brought in to present on an area of expertise that may be of use to the members such as law, sales or operations. The other goal of the groups is to provide peer support and to discuss in a confidential setting situations that are unique to business owners. Welstead said accountability is key to the success of the support groups. If a participant brings forth a topic and asks for member input, the participant must take suggestions back to their business for consideration then report to the group at the next meeting as to how they are actively trying to resolve the issue.
Welstead said the groups on the Coast might include competing business members because of the small town atmosphere. However, he said that is not necessarily a negative thing.
"Sometimes you can learn more from somebody competitive. It's called 'co-opetition' and through networking, sometimes they can cook up a joint venture," Welstead said.
Welstead said he is looking for sponsors to donate money, space and food for the meetings and said the long-term effects of a healthy business community are in everyone's interest.
Anyone interested in participating in a peer mentor group or sponsoring a pod can contact Welstead at 604-740-2326.
