PLATO™ New Zealand is a new business mentoring and peer support programme 
The programme is aimed at owner-managers of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and offers a controlled learning framework, access to different experts and networking opportunities tailored specifically for the needs and demands of growing businesses.
The programme provides a more formal learning environment, interaction with experienced managers from larger organisations, and a forum to discuss ideas, challenges and issues with like-minded companies.
Sessions cover all the key elements of running a successful business, and participants, together and with experts and facilitators, to address the issues their growing businesses face.
The programme
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PLATO ™ provides a platform for long-term sustainable and trustworthy exchange of experiences, ideas, challenges and issues with entrepreneurs from like-minded SMEs, facilitators from larger organisations and between different PLATO™ network groups.
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PLATO™ provides a forum to stimulate the open transfer of management know-how from the facilitators and staff members of large companies’ staff members to SMEs
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PLATO™ creates a learning network of like minded companies where information, contacts and business opportunities can be shared.
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PLATO™ is driven by the needs of the SMEs involved and allows topics covered in each session to be determined by the group.
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PLATO™ provides a unique mix of learning platforms with regular monthly session, access to expert speaks, seminars and specific training as required by the group
The two-year programme, which will initially be run as a pilot in the Auckland region, is a unique addition to the New Zealand market and is based on an international model first introduced in Belgium in 1988. PLATO™ networks are now underway in Europe, the UK and Ireland.