Business owners urged to access help available

Business owners under stress are being urged not to bottle up their problems but to access some of the local business advice available to them.

The Business Mentors New Zealand scheme where experienced business people volunteer to meet with businesses and offer impartial advice is one way for small businesses to cope with business challenges.

"When times are tough the owners of businesses that don't have a board of directors can feel isolated and not sure who to turn to". Peter Harris, Manager of the Economic Development Unit of the Dunedin City Council says. "If you are worrying about business decisions it can drag you, and your business down."

The first step for business owners who are used to acting independently is to ask for help. "This can be a big step and sometimes it's hard to know who to trust with your problems" Diana Hudson, Acting CEO of the Otago Southland Employers' Association who run the Mentors New Zealand scheme, said. "The beauty of the Business Mentors New Zealand volunteers is that anything you tell them is kept strictly confidential."

Mr Harris also suggests that business owners assess the quality of their professional advisors. "Many accounting firms offer more than just tax returns. If your accountant isn't regularly talking to you about how your business is performing and how you might improve it, think about finding one who will." Many of the professionals the Economic Development Unit works alongside will offer the first hour of time for free.

"Whether it is just a listening ear you need to be able to offload your business worries, or answers to specific questions there is help available" Mr Harris says "All you need to do is just ask."

Contact details

Contact Peter Harris on 03 474 346.

Last reviewed: 12 May 2009 2:45pm