Local Enterprise Office Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown's Mentor Programme is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/ managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice.
Applicant businesses must be based and operate in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council catchment area.
The Role of Mentor:
- Listen
- Advise and provide direction
- Help the promoter identify problems and suggest areas for improvement
- Discuss solutions and innovative ways of improving business activity
- Help with the decision making process
- Share experience and knowledge
- Provide structure and context for discussion
- Offer assistance in compiling a business plan
Note: A 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 an executive in the company.
LEO DLR Mentoring Process:
- Each assignment provides you with a number of hours (minimum 3 hours) with your designated mentor. Further mentoring hours may be allocated depending on the outcome of the assignment.
- The length of each individual meeting and how you use the mentoring hours approved will be determined by you and your mentor.
- Meetings can either take place in person or virtually via Zoom, Teams or another similar platform (this needs to be agreed by both parties before commencing the assignment).
- In the event that you have to change an arranged meeting with your mentor, please note that if less than one working day notice is given, we may need to deduct an hour from your approved mentoring allocation.
- Confidentiality: Every Mentor signs a strict confidentiality agreement so you can be assured that all discussions and correspondence between you, your Mentor and the LEO DLR remain confidential.
Note: it is not the role of the mentor to become actively involved in the day to day running of your business.
Please Note: The Local Enterprise Office does not provide legal advice or advice on immigration / visa status. For further info please contact https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/
For specific Legal queries you should contact a Solicitor.
Areas of support typically include:
Technology
- App/Platform/Software Development, Business Planning/Strategy, Localisation, Prototype Development/Testing, Product Development/Innovation, Resource Management, Route to Market
Food & Drink
- Business Planning/Strategy, Food Safety/Hygiene/Regulation/Compliance, Marketing & Sales, Manufacturing, Packaging, Product Design/Innovation, Route to Market etc.
Creative/Retail/Tourism
- Business Planning/Strategy, Import/Export, Manufacturing, Product Design/Innovation, Route to Market etc.
Marketing/Sales/PR/Communication
- Advertising, Branding, International Marketing, Market Research, Marketing Strategy, Packaging, Pitching/Presentation Skills, Product Development, PR, Route to Market, Sales etc.
Social Media and Digital Marketing
- Analytics, Creating Content, eCommerce, Generating/Increasing Online Brand Awareness, Online Sales, Search Engine Optimisation, Social Media Strategy etc.
Business Advice
- Business Planning, Company Formation, Growth Strategy/Scaling, HR, Idea Feasibility, Import/Export, HR, Manufacturing, Product Design/Innovation, Resource Management, Route to Market, Green/Sustainability etc.
Finance
- Accounting, Bookkeeping, Business Evaluations, Costing/Pricing, Credit Control, Financial Management/Cashflow, Pitching for Investment/Borrowing, Tax, VAT
How to Apply
- Complete the Online Mentoring Application Form. The application form will ask you describe your business and the type of support you are seeking.
- Submit the application form. On receipt of your completed application form, we will then match your requirements with a relevant mentors expertise and confirm the number of mentor hours approved.
Mentoring Fee
There is currently no charge for mentoring support.
