Project Scope

Project Title	Support 4 Business
Project Champion	Danny Cooper
Project team-core:	C4B Enterprise Group
Project Team Peripheral	Canterbury Christ Church CEBD East Kent Enterprise Gateway Business Link Kent Technology Enterprise Kent Representatives from business groups such as Chambers and business clubs
Project concern	There is currently no formal provision of business-to-business mentoring or "buddying" specifically for the Canterbury district, especially for start-up and new businesses. Business people, especially those in their first venture, often take advice from banks, accountants and other professionals, but do not always have access to, or know how to access, local business support networks or other business people who may be able to share their own business experience, experiences and knowledge. This failure may contribute to the potential success or development of the business.
Project task	To set up a formal network of business mentors from the Canterbury 4 Business Associate database. The mentors will come from different disciplines and will sign-up to provide a maximum number of mentoring hours per year. To ensure that the service is clearly defined as local business people using their experience and experiences to benefit others in the business community and that the mentors are not business advisers or agents for organisations offering start--up advice.
Project purpose	To provide: Business people, especially start-ups, with easy access to a network of local experienced business owners, who they can be matched with to develop a mentoring relationship to help them develop and improve their businesses by benefiting from the experience and knowledge of the mentor. A shoulder to the more established businesses should they feel the need to talk to someone who's not connected with their direct circle. This could be in the form of a second opinion or an unbiased view on something in the business. A test base or sounding board for new products, new plans, planned marketing campaigns etc.
Customer	Canterbury 4 Business.
End users	Small businesses, especially start-ups, in the Canterbury district.
End result	A comprehensive database of experienced business people, who have signed up to provide mentoring services, for start-up or existing businesses or both, for a preset number of hours per year, to other business people in the district. A number of established businesses receiving informal advice from the C4B Support 4 Business service, and a number of new start-ups having a designated business mentor. A complete package of support ready to offer start-up businesses in the district.

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