EUKN - United Kingdom - Entrepreneurial mentoring: a key to business success

Entrepreneurial mentoring: a key to business success

Introduction

Looks at the experience of mentoring of the Inner City 100 entrepreneurs - owners of fast-growth businesses in the UK's inner cities.

Description

This document:

outlines what entrepreneurial mentoring is and distinguishes between mentoring and coaching;
identifies the benefits of mentoring;
summarises the types of mentoring programmes currently operating in the UK;
provides several case studies of mentoring activities;
presents an examination of the Inner City 100 businesses' involvement in entrepreneurial mentoring;
examines the benefits of mentoring for the mentors themselves; and
considers how to encourage greater participation in mentoring.

Background information

The researchers believe the views of The Inner City 100 entrepreneurs are relevant because they offer insights into the challenges of growing businesses, and their continued support needs.

Methodology

The researchers reviewed research on mentoring and use case studies to highlight examples of good practice. The research examines The Inner City 100 businesses’ involvement in entrepreneurial mentoring, drawing in findings derived from information given by all of The Inner City 100 winners in 2003. Subsequent discussions with several of The Inner City 100 winners from years 2001–03 provided the researchers with further insights into their experiences of mentoring.

Conclusions

The research found that entrepreneurial mentoring can support business growth, reduce business failure rates and increase the likelihood of people becoming entrepreneurs.

Contact info

New Economics Foundation
Phone: +44 207 820 6300
info@neweconomics.org

Publication date

01/07/2004

Project finished

Researcher

Anne-Marie Davies and John Taylor

Article info
ISBN: 189940788X

Links

New Economics Foundation The Inner City 100

Entrepreneurial mentoring: a key to business success (PDF, Eng, 800KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Business support