With this Blog just in its infancy, I want to document each of the Programs that Professional Network Connections offers. In the future, this will be one more place to come to as a resource. Today it’s about our New Business Mentor Protégé Program.
Purpose:
The program helps teach a new business owner about the power of networking and the possibility of exceptional leads and referrals and how to operate a business. This is also a way to help connect this person to the resources that they will need to grow their business into a prosperous one. We give the candidate a resource in the members, who can help them grow their business by having the ability to ask questions in an open meeting format where they are comfortable. The members of that Network are like the New Business Protégé’s “silent board of directors.”
Why does Professional Network Connections do this?
This is Professional Network Connections way of giving back to the business community. Hopefully this also helps someone new to business not make some of the mistakes that we have made ourselves. Additionally, this is a wonderful way to watch a new business grow.
Term:
This is a free one year membership program for the New Business Protégé and 50% dues for the next year upon graduation.
Network:
Each Network can adopt one (1) New Business Protégé each year. This group of members is like a Silent Board of Directors for this candidate. The members should feel open to this candidate calling them for business advice.
Candidate:
The candidate is given 5-10 minutes out of each meeting to bring a business question or problem to the group to help solve. This will require work from the New Business Protégé, as they will have to prepare in advance what problem or aspect of their business they need help with. This can include anything business related that this candidate needs help with; from sales and marketing, to packaging and pricing, operating costs and procedures, to hiring staff.
Finding a candidate:
New Business Mentor-Protégé Candidates can be found through the local Chamber of Commerce, newspaper, members of Professional Network Connections, local YWCA or YMCA, SBDC (Small Business Development Center), entrepreneurial centers in the area if they are available. The options are limitless.
Tags: PNC Programs
