Mentor Programme

Welcome to the Mentor Programme.  To join the programme you will be required to go through a screening process to assess your idea / business.  This process enables DCEB measure what your requirements are.  Depending on what stage you are it may be recommended that you develop the idea further, do some training or indeed join the mentor programme where you will work closely with a mentor to assist you with your business.  We will determine at the screening session what areas of expertise you require.

The first one hour screening meeting will be at a charge of €50(non-refundable). 

HOW TO JOIN THE MENTOR PROGRAMME

Please only apply if your business is located in the following Dublin City Post Codes:

• Dublin 1 - 8 All Area

• Dublin 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17 and 20 (some areas, please call for confirmation)

To apply for the initial one hour screening session, click here(€50.00)

The mentor programme is designed to enable the Dublin City Enterprise Board Ltd. to provide individuals/companies with temporary advisers to help identify and overcome obstacles in the development stages. The panel of advisers is made up of mature and experienced business people.

If you have any queries about Financial Assistance, Training courses, Grant Application deadlines or otherwise you should contact a member of staff at the DCEB office.  It is not the role of the mentor to keep clients informed of grant application deadlines.  If you wish to enquire about financial assistance, please ring the office.  

THE MENTOR'S ROLE IS

• To listen
• To advise and counsel
• To help identify problems and areas for improvement
• Assist the Entrepreneurs in the preparations plan

Or he/she contributes independent, informed observations to aid a company in its decision making process.

Please note there is a lead time of two weeks from the date registration is made and a €50 inital booking fee.

AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT TYPICALLY INCLUDE

• General Management
• Financial Structuring
• Production Planning
• Marketing
• Distribution
• Corporate Organisation
• Strategic Planning

THE MENTOR WILL

• outline guidelines to follow
• point out strengths and weaknesses in proposed projects
• act as a confidential sounding board
• assist the entrepreneur in the preparation of business plans

However, the Mentor is not a professional consultant and under the terms of the programme, may not become actively involved in the day-to-day management or assume the role of executive in the company.

HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS

• Each request for a mentor is dealt with individually
• Careful consideration is given to "match" between the requirements of the individual/company and the specialised skill and experience of the prospective adviser
• Several possible Mentors will be suggested and the final selection made by the individual/company on the basis of information supplied by the individual/director
• The mentor signs a confidentiality agreement before taking on any assignment
• The mentor and company may meet up to ten times per twelve month period
• Either the individual/company or the Mentor may terminate the arrangement at any time
• If assistance is needed in more than one field of expertise, one or more additional mentors may be assigned to the individual company

Testimonials

Our mentor was of huge benefit to growing our business. He helped us with solid, practical advice that we could implement to improve all areas of the business including sales, marketing and finances. I highly recommend the DCEB Mentor Programme.

Alastair McDermott

Managing Director – www.LogOn.ie

“One of the most challenging things about becoming an entrepreneur is the lack of experience in many new fields. A business mentor brings experience and expertise and can work closely with you to help you develop and implement your business plan. The mentoring programme has been an invaluable resource for me and comes highly recommended for serious entrepreneurs.”

Ben Croker,
CEO & Founder of www.nybble.ie

Some of the DCEB Mentors with Greg

L-R

Marie Keegan

Des Howett

Miriam Ahern

Greg Swift, CEO, DCEB

Pat D'Arcy

Mentor originates from the greek: "Wise Friend"