Mike Davis is a business owner with almost 25 years of experience. He joined Quick Stick Labels in 1966 and currently owns Xact Labels.

NZB: Why did you decide to become a Business Mentor?
MD: Like most things there was a catalyst that inspired me to do something different. Most of us don’t act because we see the light, we act because we feel the heat. In my case, my business circumstances altered dramatically and my accountant suggested that I consider becoming a mentor. The idea of giving something back to the community and sharing my experience really appealed and as it turns out, it was one of the best moves I made."

NZB: How long have you been a mentor for?

MD: About five years during which time I have been involved with about ten to 12 businesses each year.

NZB: How does the system work? How do you get referred to a client?

MD: Each area has a coordinator who evaluates the initial client application and their needs and then matches this to a suitable mentor. I am usually contacted to ask if I can take on the client and if there is no business conflict or any other identified issues I am provided with a brief and contact details. From there, I arrange for an initial meeting to talk through their needs and find out about their business and themselves."

NZB: What happens from there?

MD: Each case requires a different approach. For some clients my involvement is over a short period and for others it can extend over years. Essentially, I encourage them to do things differently, provide some guidelines and help them to work through these.

NZB: Do you have a process you follow?

MD: I have developed a strategy based on my own business experience which I apply to most of my clients. Key things I cover are:

• Get the client to identify the problems or issues that they
have identified.

• Deal with these current issues to get them resolved.

• Help to identify and steer them to where they want to
go. I encourage them to look at the big picture rather
than the current issues and how they can grow and
develop their business.

• Help to provide the tools and processes to achieve this
by applying my own business experience.

• Prompt them into action.

NZB: What do you expect from your clients?

MD: I expect them to be receptive to help and be prepared to do things differently.

NZB: What can they expect from you?

MD: I offer them the benefit of my own business experience, help to put things into perspective, and question why and how they are currently managing their business. I am objective and help them to make decisions. I try not to be the initiator (tempting as it is).

NZB: "Lastly, what do you get out of it?"

MD: It is hugely satisfying. I get to meet many different people. I help to make a difference in how they run their business and give them tools to make changes and to continuously re-focus on their business. Seeing them grow and change is very rewarding.

In turn this has an effect on my own business as it reminds me to also continually re-focus. It is a true win-win relationship"

Archery Adventures, owned by Brendan and Gaylene Gaffney, was established nine years ago as a start up operation. From their Mt Eden indoor/outdoor venue they provide a safe, challenging, flexible and exciting format of archery to various groups including youth/school, team building, work, conferences, social and family, and are fulfilling their objective of being the leaders in archery activities.

NZB: Why did you approach Business Mentors?

AA: We initially approached them about four to five years ago when the business was still in it’s infancy to get some guidance on developing the business and lifting our profile. More recently we approached them because we felt we had reached a bit of a plateau and weren’t sure what we should be doing to get to the next level. Our sales had increased dramatically but we felt we were still very ‘hands on’ and needed to change.

NZB: How did you make the approach?

AA: We completed an online application which helped us define our needs and what we were looking for. After the application was acknowledged we were advised that our application had been successful and that we would be contacted by mentor Mike Davis. At that time it was outlined how the service would work, what to expect and the responsibilities of the mentor and ourselves."

NZB: What was the process thereafter?

AA: We had an initial meeting with Mike who showed us around his own operation which helped us to appreciate his business experience. He made us feel at ease, took us seriously and reminded us that whilst we all think we are different, the principals of business are the same."

NZB: What did you get out of the sessions?

AA: He definitely helped us to see the bigger picture and to differentiate between being a business operator rather than a provider of archery services. He is helping us to establish objectives for how to extract ourselves from day to day business operations by putting systems and controls in place.

Asked if the sessions had met their expectations, the Gaffneys said they were very happy with progress so far. They are clear on the fact that they need to be the implementers of any ideas or changes and must take that responsibility on board, which they have. "Mike has great business acumen and is non-judgmental. He is there to help and provide achievable, common sense business practices."

As a result they are more motivated and things have improved – yet there has been nothing radical or anything they can’t manage. They are becoming better equipped to analyse, profile and measure where their business and revenue is coming from and understand that it is a step by step process. Davis has not only given them ideas and encouragement but recommended resources and reading and provided them with anecdotal tips and examples.