INVEST YOUR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE
Dream. Believe. CREATE. Grow. Share
We believe one of the most valuable ways you can invest in future economic growth is through your time and expertise.
As a mentor you have an opportunity to continually motivate and demonstrate that through collaboration we can change the lives and make a difference to all those we support.
“The enthusiasm and creativity of the young entrepreneurs who present their business plans is a great inspiration and gives me confidence in the future of our country’s economy”
Liz Pattison, Black Umbrellas mentor
A powerful relationship
There are probably countless moments in your life where you’ve leaned on someone you trust for advice or assistance. Whether the person you turn to is a professor, friend, family member, colleague or other, the importance of mentors is undeniable.
Benefits of mentorship
- Provide entrepreneurs with an effective sounding board for work-related challenges and decisions
- Aid with personal growth and confidence levels
- Guide the growth stages of the entrepreneurs business
- Help to embed training and classroom learning, and bring it into action
- Provide BU with sustained direct feedback loop to improve programme effectiveness and information on the progress of the mentee
I want to be a mentor
Black Umbrellas has worked with many mentors, forming deep and meaningful relationships with small businesses and passionate entrepreneurs. The results have been extraordinary. So what makes someone a brilliant mentor?
Someone who:
- Is an experienced individual who willing to spend time to “give back” or “pass on the torch” to the next generation of entrepreneurs
- Provides guidance, oversight, and encouragement
- Provides feedback regarding their mentorship contract, progress, and experience
- Meets either in person or as otherwise agreed with the mentee (for example, via Zoom or MS Teams) or communicate regularly with their mentee to review their progress and help them work toward identified goals
- Maintains confidentiality of the relationship – within reporting expectations
What do I need to become a mentor
Each participant in a mentoring relationship brings unique competencies, backgrounds, learning styles, and needs. Because of the vital role a mentor plays in the success of our entrepreneurs, it is important that there is the most promising potential in this relationship to create real change.
What we are looking for
- Do you have previous entrepreneurial or business leadership experience?
- Do you have previous mentoring experience?
- Do you have information on networks, connections and stakeholders that can be pulled in to support the business?
- Can you submit a formal CV outlining working experience, qualifications?
- What is your personal style, EQ and specific knowledge?
I want to be a mentor
Black Umbrellas has worked with many mentors, forming deep and meaningful relationships with small businesses and passionate entrepreneurs. The results have been extraordinary. So what makes someone a brilliant mentor?
Someone who:
- Is an experienced individual who willing to spend time to “give back” or “pass on the torch” to the next generation of entrepreneurs
- Provides guidance, oversight, and encouragement
- Provides feedback regarding their mentorship contract, progress, and experience
- Meets either in person or as otherwise agreed with the mentee (for example, via Zoom or MS Teams) or communicate regularly with their mentee to review their progress and help them work toward identified goals
- Maintains confidentiality of the relationship – within reporting expectations
What is BU mentorship?
The Black Umbrellas Volunteer Mentorship Programme provides mentorship support to Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) incubated in the organisation. Mentors and mentees are assessed and matched to form ongoing mentoring relationships aimed at improving the sustainability and growth of BU SMME businesses. Mentorship is a critical element of the Black Umbrellas business incubation programme and can be the difference between the success and failure of our clients. Global research shows that businesses whose leaders are mentored are twice as likely to survive longer than five years and to grow and employ more people than those without mentorship.
As a mentor, will I be involved with selecting mentees to mentor?
Black Umbrellas will work with mentors to identify suitable mentees from a list that has been personally picked for each mentor by the Black Umbrellas team, and that best match the mentor’s mentoring preferences, such as interests, background and work ethic, as well as fields of specialisation.
How much time will I be required to commit?
Completing the initial Mentor orientation (1.5 hours) Meeting with your mentee either physically or virtually for at least one hour per month Meeting with Black Umbrellas for 30 minutes every quarter to provide feedback on the mentoring activities for the last quarter Attending the annual Black Umbrellas mentoring appreciation event
Do I receive any form of training?
The Mentor orientation gives an overview of the Black Umbrellas mentorship programme and provides mentors with the necessary information and tools for their journeys.
Do I have to apply by a certain date?
No. Mentor recruitment is conducted on a continuing basis. Mentors are encouraged to apply at any time during the year.
What are the specific objectives for the mentorship programme?
Providing mentees with an effective sounding board for work-related challenges and decisions Aiding with personal growth and confidence levels Guiding the growth stages of the mentee’s business Helping to embed training and classroom learning, and bring it into action Working closely with and providing Black Umbrellas with ongoing feedback and information on the progress of the business to improve the effectiveness of our interventions
Who is eligible to participate in the Mentorship Initiative?
Black Umbrellas encourages applications from volunteers who are knowledgeable and experienced (e.g., accomplished/established in their career/role in business and/or corporate, with rich life experience and perspective), with great networks in both their career and social life, and a great relationship style (e.g., open-minded, secure, enthusiastic, approachable, caring, self-aware).
Do I get paid?
No. The Black Umbrellas mentorship programme is voluntary. However, there are mentor appreciation events hosted during the year where volunteer mentors are treated in gratitude for their services.
How many mentees can i get?
There is no restriction to the number of mentees you can have, however it is encouraged that the mentors do not take up too many mentors that they become overwhelmed.
What is the duration of the relationshps?
A 12-month commitment upfront which can be renewed thereafter is recommended.