Click here or on the image above to read our informational brochure about the Business Exchange Model. (4.7 MB .pdf)

 

Peer Mentoring

The Business Exchange model
Most entrepreneurs prefer to learn from the experiences of other successful business owners. They look for role models – those who have been through it before – as they struggle with the challenges of starting and growing their own business.

Business owners have long recognized the value of peer mentoring, whether it’s through networking or simply picking up the phone and calling a colleague who has had similar experiences.

The Business Exchange model of peer mentoring is designed to let you tap into that firsthand experience and draw on the hard-earned knowledge of those who have already been there. It brings together non-competing business owners from a cross-section of the community to share ideas, information and experiences, and to solve problems through peer support and expertise. A trained and experienced facilitator leads each group to ensure that meetings run smoothly and to provide accountability and follow-up on any outstanding topics.

The program is built around four simple components:

  • Structured group or team meetings
  • Trained facilitators
  • Guest speakers and resources
  • Advisory teams

New Business Exchange groups
The Business Exchange model was developed by the Leadership and Management Development Council in partnership with Community Futures North Okanagan and Okanagan Similkameen. Following a pilot project in the North Okanagan in 1996, Business Exchange groups have been successfully established in Castlegar, Grand Forks, the Sunshine Coast, and Vernon.

More recently, as part of the Leadership Tactics speaker series held in 2009, and with sponsorship from the Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, the LMDC is working in partnership with the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and local organizations to establish four additional Business Exchange groups in communities across British Columbia.

For more information on participating in a Business Exchange group near you, please select the community listed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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