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?

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!

 

ABM National Business Mentors Conference 2016, Kerrie Dorman Founder

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This years conference was held at The British Library Conference Centre and sponsored by, Sage, RIFT and Constant Contact.

The keynote speaker was Brendan Flattery, President of Sage Europe who inspired the audience with his passion, fresh Sage research on mentoring statistics as well as his mentor journey with mentee, Liam Watson of Canny Drinks, who joined him on stage. The event was a success with contributions from Michael Smyth; Ireland and Ana Oliviera Pinto; Portugal as well as UK Mentoring Hot Shots Chelsea Baker, Daryl Woodhouse and Deri Llewelyn Davies. James Vellacott MD of Video Production Company,  Cherry Duck Ltd gave a presentation on their terrific success story to date and the role his Business Mentor played in it. Great sponsors, venue, contributors and importantly great feedback.

National Mentoring Day, Kerrie Dorman Panellist, 27th October 2015

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National Mentoring Day

Chelsey Baker launched NMD on 27th October 2015.

This event is an annual initiative to recognise the work of mentors nationally.  Kerrie Dorman was invited to join the panel at the event held at the Rockstar Hubs to discuss the importance of mentoring along with Johnathan Pjahl, Ruth Lowbridge and Jackie Jenks.

The Northern Business Mentoring Conference will be held in 2016 on National Mentoring Day.

The Business Show in London, Kerrie Dorman invited to be a Panellist

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Kerrie was a panellist on the Dragon Den type pitching initiative hosted by The Entrepeneurs Network.

Note of thanks from Reza Soheily:

“Once again, it was a pleasure to have you on the panel and many thanks for spending your valuable time and providing advice & experience to attendees. It was highly appreciated by me, pitchers & audience. The event was a massive success according to repeatedly amazement, comments & feedback of pitchers & audience!”

The Pram in the Hall Balancing Motherhood with Running a Business, Kerrie Dorman Panellist

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Kerrie Dorman

Kerrie Dorman, mother of four and business woman was invited to be a panellist at the Pram in the Hall Event which drew together successful women business owners which marked International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day hosted by The British Library & IP Centre.

The rich collection of workshops covered subjects such as:

  • Women’s business ownership
  • The impact, challenges and opportunities that motherhood poses the entrepreneurship
  • Gendered barriers to entrepreneurship and strategies to overcoming them
  • Practical advice, hints, tips and solutions
  • Balancing competing priorities between business ownership and motherhood
  • Entrepreneurial traits and characteristics
  • What help can be offered to mothers looking to start or grow their own business
  • How women business owners can be better supported to achieve their potential whilst balancing competing demands of motherhood with entrepreneurship

You can see more at:  The Pram in the Hall 2015:  Balancing Motherhood with Running a Business

National Business Mentoring Conference 2015, Kerrie Dorman Keynote Speaker

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ABM Logo

 

 

 

 

Kerrie Dorman, founder of the Association of Business Mentors organised and opened the National Business Mentoring Conference 2015.

Speakers featured:

  • Sean Gallagher – ABM Patron – entrepreneur, politician, writer, speaker and champion for small business
  • Jonathan Pfahl – Founder & MD, Rockstar Mentoring Group
  • Irene Graham – Executive Director of Business Finance at the BBA

This was the first National Business Mentoring conference and as such kicked off with a wealth of workshops and talks with the aim to help improve and enhance the quality of business mentoring given to mentees with a target audience of:

•Professional business mentors who want to raise the quality of their existing business mentoring
•Aspiring business mentors who want to set up as business mentors.

The British Banker’s Association generously sponsored this unique event which was brought to you by The Association of Business Mentors.

 

BBA

 

Kerrie’s Business of the Year 2014

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Backgrounds Prop Hire has been chosen as Kerrie’s business of the year 2014.

A motivated workforce is often the key driver of success in businesses. This was certainly the case for Backgrounds.

Kerrie came to know Backgrounds after they contacted her in search for help regarding staff unrest. Through training and consultation, the issue was rapidly resolved and resulted in a happier, growing team that allows the company to move from strength to strength.

They implemented a change in treatment of staff by offering support, training and reward schemes.

Since making the changes, Backgrounds have seen improvements in many areas of their business, from surpassing revenue targets, increasing profit before tax and also have outstanding attention to location layout, stock variety and packaging.

Through focussing on motivating their workforce, Kerrie has noticed the employees deliver excellent customer service, display interest and knowledge of their market.

To find out more about backgrounds prop hire, visit their website:

www.backgroundsprophire.co.uk

Women on Top feature – Ultrapreneur magazine

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Kerrie has recently features in the third edition of Ultrapreneur magazines Women on Top series. She talks about her current projects including the development of her mentor training schemes as well as adds her viewpoint on what impact gender should have towards business in the twenty first century.

Read the full article and magazine below:

 

Front of House High Level Skills Course

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At last… An affordable Front of House High Level Skills Course

The Restaurant Mentors announce the launch of their new Front of House High Level Skills Course in London this month.

Due to the continuous cry for skilled staff in the hospitality industry restaurant mentor Kerrie Dorman is joined by ‘Vasken Jermakian’ of Foodication a restaurant turnaround consultant to jointly deliver a three day course that covers the A-Z of front of House skills required to be the best. The course finishes off with a test resulting in a rating and certificate to prove prowess.

“There is a frustratingly large need for this type of course in the UK at the moment” says Kerrie Dorman of The Restaurant Mentors, “When I had my bars and restaurants training was a high priority which resulted in fantastic customer service and low turnaround. One of the secrets of the Paradise success”

The course, catering, test and certificate have a launch offer of just £150.00 inclusive of VAT.

Kerrie Dorman previous owner of the Paradise Wine Bars/Restaurants

‘Vasken Jermakian’ is an expert in the operational management of new restaurants and coffee bars. He specialises in the turnaround of underperforming restaurant businesses the key being team training.

This course is for:

Anyone wanting a job in a restaurant, bar or café

Simply looking to further their skills and knowledge

Those who want to be the best in the industry

Place:

Richmond Athletic Ground

Richmond, London TW92SF

Cost: Launch Offer

£125.00 plus VAT = £150.00

Book this course

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