New businesses can now get a helping hand from their more experienced peers under the Federal Government’s Enterprise Connect program.

The program’s new Enterprise Learning and Mentoring scheme will help businesses better understand their operations and boost their productivity.

Innovation and Industry Minister, Senator Kim Carr says the mentoring system is a great way for new businesses to learn and feel supported.

“Nothing beats the lessons we learn from real world experience, says Senator Carr. “Under this scheme, skilled business mentors and business managers who have previously received support from Enterprise Connect will share their stories with less experienced businesses, Senator Carr says.

“In doing so, they will help new business identify areas of concern and map out ways for improvement.”

Enterprise Connect has completed support for more than 2700 small to medium sized businesses since it began in 2007.

“It is a testament to the program and to the Australian spirit that past clients are stepping up to the plate to offer their insights, help and guidance to others under this new scheme,” says Senator Carr.

As well as mentoring, the scheme will offer a series of workshops on a range of critical business’s development areas such as leadership and organisational culture, product and service development, advertising and marketing, new markets, financial management and human resources.

A pilot of the scheme was conducted in SA earlier this year. The pilot was a success with participants unanimously enthusiastic and pleased with what they had gained. 

To find out more about the scheme, visit www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au or phone the hotline on 131 791.