Facilitators

PLATO™ New Zealand is a new business mentoring and peer support programme being introduced in July 2008. The programme is aimed at owner-managers of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and offers a structured learning framework, access to different experts and networking opportunities tailored specifically for the needs of growing businesses.

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.

PLATO™ New Zealand is a government initiative designed to increase support for local SMEs. The programme aims to complement the existing training and mentoring programmes already available. The local programme will closely follow the international model with elements tailored for the New Zealand businesses environment and the specific needs of SMEs here.

Group Facilitators

The New Zealand PLATO™ pilot will include two networks or groups, each with 10-12 participants and two group facilitators. Both groups are non sector specific. Group facilitators will:

• Act as leaders, coaches and mentors for the group
• Facilitate and coordinate the exchange of experiences between participants
• Act as an individual adviser and provide a link between SMEs and the expertise available within their own larger company.
• Invite expert speakers/specialists to talk to the group about specific topics
• Introduce new views and approaches based on the experiences of a larger, more established organisation, e.g. management terminology and methods
• Provide one-on-one advice and support to group members and become confidantes of participants, where appropriate.

Benefits for larger organisations

Involvement in PLATO™ allows organisations to offer staff the opportunity to be a group facilitator – a unique opportunity to develop valuable facilitation and leadership skills and acquire a significant breadth of knowledge of SME operations. This close exposure to the SME sector will allow group facilitators to contribute with new perspective to the development of their own organisations.

Since its establishment in Belgium in 1988, PLATO™ has been dedicated to the successful development of SMEs. PLATO™’s current European-wide network includes over 10,000 SMEs and more than 1000 corporates providing group facilitators.

Participation in PLATO™ provides a valuable opportunity for larger organisations to demonstrate their commitment to the wider economic development of the Auckland region, and be active in encouraging the establishment of new business links between large and small companies. Participating will allow corporate mentors to develop close working relationships with participants, AucklandPlus and the Ministry of Economic Development.

PR Opportunities:

Group facilitators and the organisations they are part of will be regularly profiled and promoted as part of the ongoing PLATO™ communications and public relations activities. Emphasis will be placed on the commitment of larger organisations and group facilitators to supporting sustainable growth among New Zealand SMEs.

Specific benefits for group facilitators

PLATO™ offers an opportunity for individual personal and professional development as well as offering benefits to the organisation represented. Group facilitators will receive in-depth training before the programme begins to develop their facilitation and leadership skills. Over the course of the programme, facilitators will develop extensive understanding of all aspects of business management, in particular as relates to SMEs. Group facilitators will develop a detailed understanding of issues faced by SMEs. This awareness would be of particular value to those who are targeting SME businesses with a view to building client relationships, establishing supply chains and having a specific reference point for SME support and development.  

Commitment

Commitment from group facilitators will begin with 28 hours of training over a 2-3 week period. The programme will then begin in July 2008 and each group will meet on a monthly basis, for approximately three hours. Participants and group facilitators will also have the opportunity to attend additional networking and training events organised for both groups.

Getting involved

If you are interested in being a group leader in the PLATO™ New Zealand pilot, please contact

Katie Taylor