Chantelle Hodgson and Leonie Jackson have participated in the Australian Businesswomen's Network MentorNet program. For more information on MentorNet, please click here.

The Mentoree: Chantelle Hodgson, Mabuzi

Why did you become a mentoree?

To get guidance from a mentor.

What were you hoping to get from the experience?

Guidance and clarity regarding overall business direction.

What is the biggest challenge of being a mentoree?

Putting time aside for the program.

What is the most powerful thing you've learned?

Having a vision for the business is essential.

What would you say to anyone considering being a mentoree in the MentorNet program?

Great idea - if you want to get the most out of the program you need to commit time out of your usual day to work on it.

Managing resources is hard for many businesses, especially for small business. How do you manage business resources?

Managing the team is the biggest challenge I think and it all starts with understanding what roles you have in the business and then recruiting the right people for those roles. Getting the right people in the right job is half the work done.

How did the MentorNet program help you manage your business resources? 

The program provides a framework for developing a business plan which I think is essential to managing resources effectively. Specifically in our business, we have been "all things to all people". The program has provided direction which enables us to focus our limited resources (particularly time and money) where we want to grow, rather than chasing our tails as we've done in the past.

Any additional comments?

The program is great value: excellent presenters and notes, the priceless contribution of mentor and pod members' experiences and very easily accessible - the key to success as usual is the discipline to stick to the time you've put aside to work on the business.

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Name: Chantelle Hodgson
Company: Mabuzi
Website: www.mabuzi.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mabuzi

The Mentor: Leonie Jackson, Great Aussie Dream

Why did you become a mentor? Initially I was approached by an existing expert presenter and fellow Mentor, Bruce Whiting. Having watched me start my business (after reading a book) and then seeing it grow over the past 7 years he thought this experience and the skills that I had developed along the way were something I should consider sharing. I also thought that taking a couple hours out of my schedule to focus on business skills was a benefit I would also get from participating.

What were you hoping to get from the experience?

The networks that we build are hugely valuable assets in our business lives and I saw this as a great way to nurture this network. I also believe that we live in a world of abundance, and in giving you also receive.

What is the biggest challenge of being a mentor?

So often we let "busyness" get in the way of business and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to dedicate the required time to the program. However, once I fully committed myself, and blocked out the time this was not a problem.

What is the most powerful thing you've learned?

It is very easy to take for granted what we know and what we have achieved, and that from time to time it is very beneficial to look back, reflect and see how far you have come.

What would you say to anyone considering being a Mentor in the MentorNet program?

Being a Mentor has been very rewarding for me and I think that the key has been to fully commit to the program. As with most things in life, what you get out of something depends upon what you put in.

Managing resources is hard for many businesses, especially for small business. How do you manage business resources?

When I was the only one in the business I did everything, then as I got "busier" the things I didn't like doing dropped off. I think it is essential that you block time to do the not so nice work whether that is accounts, filing or cleaning and review and leverage, delegating these as you grow.

IT - My Laptop computer and now my IPhone are great for working remotely, yet I have learnt that it is really important to have good IT support services in close reach for those unexpected technical issues. I also love my paper diary as my contacts and to-do list can't disappear!

Staff, when do you get staff, how many hours will they work and what they will do is a growing pain issue. The first 5 years was trial and error - full time, part-time, job share we have tried them all. I think we finally got it right when we stopped being emotional about needing someone to fill an opening and stated from the outset what we would and wouldn't accept in the role and what expectation we had of them and what they could expect from working with us. I went to a 3 day Management Training Workshop at the start of this year and the thing that hit me on day 1 was "Who made me the manager as I didn't apply for that job" yet the reality was I had grown a business and now I had to manage staff. Getting that Management training with a room full of retail Managers (in a completely different field to mine) highlighted many things I had taken for granted (or wasn't aware of) yet more importantly even though I hadn't intended to be the "Manager" I really needed this training and I continually reference the material.

Leverage the items that get too big for you to handle and do that sooner rather than later. I have done this with my bookkeeping. I know what MYOB is but I'm not interested, nor do I have time to know how to use it but I certainly know how to read financials which is of more benefit.

How did the MentorNet program help you manage your business resources?

Over 80% of my business work is for remote clients so being able to log on to the MentorNet program without having to attend a fixed location was great.

The program was a great discipline as well as I could find 1 hour for the program and 1-2 hours for pre work every week which I didn't think I could ever find - the key to this was programming all times into Outlook at the start of the programme and then everyone in my office knew I was unavailable at those times. It worked really well.

I also reflected on my previous life as a Primary School Teacher and each year I was required to teach that Years Curriculum and the way that is done is the week is broken day into subject hours and within those subject hours you do the content. Because I had broken down the time for MentorNet I then expanded blocking times for other tasks (both fun and not so fun) into my work week.

My clients know I love to chat so another management tool I have implemented is booking 10-15 minute appointments to ring/follow up and chat with clients rather than just having the chat when the phone rings.

Any additional comments

Thanks to ABN for the opportunity to be a Mentor.

Great Aussie Dream offer Mortgage Broking services along with Property Investment Consultation and Education services. The Mortgage Broking business is a National Award Winner including 2008 MFAA Mortgage Brokering Business of the Year Finalist, Winner of 2008 Australian Mortgage Awards for Best Customer Service Winner and 2009 Australian Mortgage Awards Best New Office Finalist. The Property Investing business works with Property Investors at all levels, providing guidance on investment strategies, market research, financing strategies and property acquisition. The Directors of Great Aussie Dream are regularly invited to speak at Investment events and seminars across the country and in the USA, New Zealand and Asia. Great Aussie Dream's mission is to make our clients investing dreams a reality.

Name: Leonie Jackson
Company: Great Aussie Dream
Phone: 1300 72 68 48
Email: admin@gad.com.au