Chesham-based SME expert is one of 2,500 mentors helping small businesses shine

A Chesham SME expert is one of more than 2,500 mentors that have volunteered and been trained to help other businesses shine as part of the government's Help to Grow: Management Course.

Annekatrin Madlung is a former Amnesty International global programme coordinator and project manager - leveraging her expertise and experience in operational management and organisational systems to support research and campaigns to create meaningful human rights change across the world.

When she took the decision to step down after 18 years, she sought the support of a mentor for her personal and professional growth and to explore a future direction for her.

Now she mentors for a living herself and set up management consultancy Global Recourse in 2017 which draws on her fascinating experience and skills. She offers a helping hand, guiding individuals through difficult situations and coaching founders and larger businesses to develop new perspectives, take opportunities and break down complex barriers.

Annekatrin said:

"I run my own company, which means I'm familiar with the many challenges and fears that other business owners experience. So, why not pass that experience on?

"I see opportunities where others see a challenge. I think in terms of possibilities, and I love seeing people empowered and inspired, turning their fear into encouraged action.

"I believe in the powerful impact that mentoring can have on an individual's professional and personal growth. I've experienced it myself through some great mentors -- people who have supported me in seeing things differently and encouraged me to be open, take opportunities and succeed in moving forward.

"Mentoring has been my passion for over 10 years. I feel enriched by sharing my life and workplace experience with people who aspire to expand their horizons, advance their careers and make the most of their life and work experiences."

"They also challenge assumptions, identify blind spots, help you initiate action and hold you accountable. Longer term, this helps you build or regain and sustain confidence."

Annekatrin is passionate about the impact mentoring can have on business growth. She said:

"Small business owners often feel overwhelmed and potentially exhausted. A mentor can help break things down into components to help you make sense of things, prioritise and manage your energy."

According to the Office for National Statistics, improving and developing management practices can result in a productivity boost of up to 10 per cent*.

The Help to Grow: Management Course offers senior business leaders one-to-one support from an experienced and fully rated 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.  

Emma Jones, founder of small business support platform Enterprise Nation, part of the consortium of businesses contracted to recruit volunteer mentors for the course, said:

"It's so important right now for businesses to be able to access high quality support like this.    

"The Help to Grow: Management Course online platform allows businesses to find the perfect mentor so they can start to put what they have learned into practice."   

A digital platform uses data and weighting technology to pair businesses with mentors based on location, sector, and mentoring support required along with real human support. Mentors sign up on a voluntary basis and offer a commitment of 10 hours, over 12 weeks, plus time to engage in training offered by the Association of Business Mentors.    

In exchange for offering their time and experience, voluntary Help to Grow: Management Course mentors receive significant value in the form of industry recognised mentor training, networking opportunities with other mentors, and the ability to join a national effort aimed at supporting the growth of the UK economy by increasing small businesses' productivity.   

Led by business support group Newable and including Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors the consortium was appointed by the government to develop a national network of business leaders and experts who will share their skills and experience with firms on the practical management training course.   

Those interested in becoming a mentor, can sign up here.   

* ONS (2018), Management practices and productivity in British production and services industries - initial results from the Management and Expectations Survey: 2016 

ENDS   

About Help to Grow: Management Course   

The government-backed Help to Grow: Management Course provides established small and medium businesses with leadership support training and support. It is delivered in collaboration with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs.   

The course is 90% subsidised by the government and costs participating businesses just £750. It is aimed at senior leaders of small and medium sized businesses.   

Each participant is matched with a voluntary business mentor via the online Help to Grow: Management Course platform. A consortium led by Newable and including Enterprise Nation and the Association of Business Mentors is responsible for recruiting a national network of voluntary mentors and experts who will guide participants through a growth action plan hosted on the help to Grow: Management Course platform.  

About Newable    

Newable is the leading provider of Money, Advice and Workspace to SMEs. Now employing over 1,000 professional staff, it has grown to become a national business with a presence from Aberdeen to Brighton, serving over 43,000 client companies each year. 

 About Enterprise Nation    

Enterprise Nation is a business support platform and provider delivering support to more than 50,000 small businesses every month. Its aim is to help people turn their good ideas into great businesses -- through expert advice (including a comprehensive resources library), events, acceleration support and networking.  

Enterprise Nation was founded in 2005 by British entrepreneur Emma Jones CBE, also co-founder of national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain. She is author of best-selling business books and is a frequently called-on and regular media commentator on a range of issues which affect the UK's growing number of SMEs. 

 About the Association of Business Mentors   

The Association of Business Mentors (ABM) is the UK's leading professional body supporting the business mentor and coach sector while raising the profile of the value of business mentoring to small business owners.