Rapid Response Mentoring

Looking for an opportunity to be mentored by a leading SME director?

In partnership with Be the Business, the IoD is giving members access to the brains, businesses and boardrooms of our Chartered Directors, Fellows and beyond, through a virtual Mentoring for Growth programme.

IoD members are leaders in business all over the world, so whether you’re looking for advice on expanding into a new market – or a new office – becoming a non-executive director or just want a fresh take on your existing strategy from a neutral pair of eyes, the opportunities to connect with other directors and expand your skillset are endless.

Be the Business is the UK’s most ambitious mentoring programme for SME directors. Backed by government, the scheme is structured to give ongoing support and advice to participants.

Register here Already registered

How our 12-week mentoring programme works

Commitment

12-week support intervention to deal with acute business challenges

Frequency

Suggested weekly calls or online meetings of 1-2 hours

Experience

Mentors are sourced from some of Britain's leading firms

Suitability

This programme is particularly suited to SMEs with an annual turnover of £500k or more

Matching

Mentors and mentees go through a rapid pairing process that ensures compatibility

Support

Participation in virtual groups and webinars covering support on relevant topics

Register here Already registered

Hear from businesses that have worked with Be the Business mentors

A Siemens business mentor re-united our family firm behind the same vision

With the third generation at family firm Carrs Pasties not finding things straightforward, mentoring turned out to be the experience-based support needed.

I knew marketing, but finance and logistics were way out of my comfort zone

He is a marketing expert, but a mentor gave fitness brand owner Mark Robinson the finance and logistics help required for his business to reach new heights.

My mentor’s experience gave me leadership confidence

A mentor helped Jake Lavelle transition from being the creative driving force behind his busines to one more befitting of his managing director status.

What happens now?

We hope you will go ahead and register to find a mentor. If you do, this is what you can expect.

Interested in finding a mentor?

If you own or lead a small or medium-sized business and would welcome some help and support over the next few months, you can register now using the button below.

This programme is particularly well-suited to companies with annual turnover of at least £500k and five or more employees.

Register here Already registered

For further information, or if you have any issues registering, please contact mentoring@bethebusiness.com.

Our supporting partners

Well-known firms from around the UK are providing experienced mentors to the programme

Discover how mentoring can be transformational

A business mentor gave me a sounding board for my ideas and decisions

A business mentor may seem formal, expensive or out of reach, but there have never been more opportunities to access an experienced individual to bounce ideas off in times of need and drive effective change.

A look at the management style changes made by successful business leaders

Whether they realise it or not, leaders in everything from business to sport have a management style. What separates the best from also rans is the ability to change this style as the environment around them evolves.

Making sure outside business influences drive business performance

The rapid pace of technological development means companies need to innovate to stay ahead. Tapping into outside business influences is essential to this process and can have a direct impact on company performance.