About Kerrie Dorman

Posts by Kerrie Dorman:

Where are Mrs Mays’ Mentors?

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Whilst digesting the new state of play in UK politics over the weekend with many thought provoking articles, radio and television programmes it struck me that our Prime Minister can not have a Mentor(s). If she does then she needs to replace them!

The art of mentoring provides guidance and hindsight on a path previously trodden which in my opinion is paramount when taking on the role of running a country and calling a general election. The problem is, I imagine Mrs May our Prime Minister could possibly perceive this as seeking ‘help’ and like so many arrogant others in positions of high levels of responsibility see this as weakness.

In fact had she taken a humble moment or two to she would have gained some insight as to how to run her office at number Ten which by all accounts was appalling and begs to ask the question ‘If you can’t ensure the smooth efficient running of your office what hope do you have with a country?’

Great leaders take into consideration what has and has not worked previously, perhaps add a personal ingredient to a working formula but most importantly they understand how to extract the best from different charachters with a variety of expertise not create an arena breeding discontent, u-turn policy decisions and poor planning. Pre-empting the defensive responses; delegation not abdication. The buck stops with you Mrs May.

My advice as a Professional Business Mentor is to lay the ‘know it all’ attitude aside, become inquisitive with your predecessors, leaders in Industry and wrap the hindsight you get from them into your plan of action whilst listening to and remaining aware of your full team around you and then stick to that plan.

Is there a Mentoring scheme in the house of commons?

Mentoring Brexit – Kerrie Dorman COO of the Association of Business Mentors

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The voting result to leave the European Union on the 23rd June has caused a complete change in government; supposed business unease and disruption as well as friendship and family feuds.

We are still in the anticipation of an exit. It hasn’t happened yet. Theresa May is quite rightly, settling in as our new Prime Minister before instigating the next step: Triggering Article 50 which is not likely to happen until 2017 post considering all the options prior to the negotiation with Europe. Obviously her Brexiteer team will be all over this!

Where does this position us as professional business mentors?

It seems the doom and gloom has lifted a little after record revenues in certain sectors over the summer months. There has been many an article on not to panic and seizing the opportunities as well as articles stating the move out of Europe is highly detrimental on many levels. The fact is the situation is not a ‘one size fits all’ opportunities can be immediate and obvious Effects

As professional business mentors our role is very much to ease the pain and gain clarity on options and their outcomes. Now is very much a time to be engaging with current and previous clients to make sure they remain ahead of the curve. I can’t believe there are many practicing mentors who have first hand experience in anything like this unless they come from a country that we are about to simulate – Norway perhaps but then they didn’t have to navigate an exit. This means we need to draw upon all our knowledge and insight from working with people and their businesses, removing blinkers, identifying the options to capitalise on as well as avoid by discussing, exploring and making informed decisions.

Perhaps now is prime time to;

– consider collaboration or a merge?
– catch talent recently let go elsewhere
– invest to capture domestic market
– cutting losses and getting out of the game
– simply crack on guns a-blazing

Mentors should be providing the support to get ahead of the curve and look beyond the short term volatility, not just to focus on survival (lets not forget though some sectors have had a mini boom e.g tourism and hospitality) but position for long term gains and sustainable growth. Our exports are now at their most attractive due to the weak pound.

Watch out for..

1. Government support – on one hand there could be less money around if a recession hits (less taxes more unemployment benefit) but May could look to support small business. Seeing as this concept helped re-energise growth, employment and innovation in a big way via Growth Accelerator and latterly in the Business Growth Service I suggest this would be a smart move. ERDF funds will need to be replaced to some degree. We will be lobbying government on behalf of our members.
2. A Fall in consumer spending could impact on revenues of small businesses – which provides a greater need for mentors but restricted cash flow may cloud views on ability to pay for necessary advice – hence the need to articulate the value of mentoring for SMEs
3. The situation is an opportunity for ABM to target new government and shout loud and clear about credible mentoring and the detriments of poor advice – we are on it!

To finish on a highly positive note the vote to leave the EU provided an impact on consumer spending which has driven recovery so far. Last indications were that it was holding up, in fact Office of National Spending August 2016 reported the fastest upward trend in spending in two years. Our members will be making sure their clients are part of this story.

The Association of Business Mentors is a credibility platform for Business Mentors who have been there done it and have proved they can Mentor effectively. Bring in regulation.

My trip to the Palace

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Palace PhotoIt was with great delight that I read the email which landed my inbox from The Department of Business Innovation and Skills – BIS – informing me that I had been nominated for an invite to Buckingham Palace, for one of the three Garden Parties this Spring/Summer. There is also one held at Balmoral.

The nomination was successful and my invitation on a stiff white card arrived in the post. My very busy household was extremely excited. Would I meet the Queen? What to wear? Could they (the kids) come? So why had I been invited? The relentless strive, my work of passion at the Association of Business Mentors – now five years old, is being recognised.

We have a couple of important points to prove
1. A mentor has to have real life experience in the arena in which they are mentoring.
2. A successful business person does not necessarily mean a great mentor. Manner and other skills are equally important.

A serial small business owner myself from the age of 20, I fully understand the vulnerable as well as the confident state of mind one experiences during a business journey. I am very passionate about the calibre of advice that can be received at any time and I have heard some horror stories when poor advice is acted upon and the story ends in tears. Business is livelihoods, how people feed their families and employ others so that they can do the same. Now that mentoring is becoming an accepted form of business support we have to protect the recipient by providing a credibility process and means to showcase successful applicants.

The day itself was grey and rainy after a run of excellent summer sunshine however I plucked my new hat out of its box , donned my frock and after giving my husband a once over in his desperately smart morning suit I felt invigorated with excited anticipation – off to the Palace!

We were very lucky with special circumstances which meant we were driven into the Palace gates at the front joining the others in the inside courtyard. There were roughly eight thousand people invited to attend on the 10th May. Two factors crossed my mind – one; the expanse of the Palace made that number seem hundreds and more importantly two; everyone was there due to work in their communities and industry. Humbling.

As you walk through the Palace and onto the terrace the grounds open up before you . Truly majestic. Although not being presented to the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh we were well placed, very close during the national anthem before she was escorted past to start the two hour walk around the lawn via the royal tea tent, talking, commending, acknowledging. In the rain. A feat most of us would struggle to perform at the best of times. They are amazing.
The tea was delicious which we had post a leisurely walk around the grounds and then before we knew it time to leave via the Palace gates.

A very special trip which has motivated me to crack on!