Latest news with #mentoring
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
ISME launches free consultancy support worth €2k for small businesses
ISME, the Irish SME Association, has launched an initiative that will enable its members to access business consultancy services worth up to €2,000 to improve their businesses. The STAGES Mentoring Programme (Survive, Thrive, Accelerate, Grow, Export, Scale) is delivered by ISME Skillnet and will provide fully subsidised one-to-one mentoring for ISME members. Advertisement ISME said the programme is designed to help businesses address real-world challenges and opportunities at each stage of their development, with expert-led sessions tailored to their specific goals. Participants will receive up to two full days (or four half-days) of mentoring with experienced business advisors, covering a wide range of strategic and operational areas including cashflow management, digital transformation, export readiness, succession planning, and more. Chief executive of ISME, Neil McDonnell, said: "Small businesses are the engine of the Irish economy, but they often lack access to the expert advice they need to grow and compete. "The STAGES programme is designed to give SMEs that support, whether they're recovering from a crisis, breaking into export markets, or preparing to scale. We're proud to offer this as a tangible, tailored benefit of ISME membership."
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
5 job search habits young job seekers should ditch immediately
After nearly four decades on Wall Street and over 15 years mentoring students and young adults, I've witnessed countless young professionals struggle with their job searches —not because they lack talent, but because they're trapped in counterproductive habits that sabotage their success before they even begin. The job market has never been more competitive. With AI tools and vast information resources now available to every applicant, the baseline for what constitutes a 'good' application has skyrocketed. Today's job seekers have access to sophisticated résumé optimization tools, interview prep platforms, and industry insights that previous generations could never have imagined. And that means that simply having a polished resume or knowing basic company facts no longer differentiates you from the competition. A saturated job market The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this competition exponentially. Economic disruptions created a massive pool of highly competent applicants—seasoned professionals who were laid off, recent graduates whose traditional entry points disappeared, and career changers seeking more stable industries—all competing for fewer available positions. What we're witnessing is an unprecedented bottleneck, where exceptional candidates are struggling to get through recruiting filters just because the volume of qualified applicants has overwhelmed traditional hiring processes. This saturation means that even talented individuals with strong credentials are facing rejection after rejection, not due to inadequacy, but due to sheer numbers. Employers who once received dozens of applications for a position now receive hundreds, forcing them to rely on increasingly narrow filtering criteria that can eliminate excellent candidates for arbitrary reasons. In this new landscape, it's the candidates who go above and beyond—who demonstrate genuine initiative, build real relationships, and create tangible value—who separate themselves from the pack. The tools are available to everyone, but it's how strategically and creatively you use them that determines your success. The reality is that most new job seekers are their own worst enemies, repeating the same ineffective strategies that virtually guarantee disappointment. If you're serious about launching your career, it's time to break these five destructive habits immediately. Stop the Spray-and-Pray Approach I see this mistake constantly: talented graduates treating job applications like a numbers game, firing off identical résumés to every posting they find. During my years at one of the largest banks in the United States, I reviewed countless résumés. The generic submissions were easy to spot and equally easy to dismiss. Employers aren't looking for someone who can fill any role—they want someone who genuinely understands (and is passionate about) their specific position. Every application should tell a story about why you and this particular company are a perfect match. Research the organization, understand their challenges, and demonstrate how your skills address their specific needs. Yes, this takes more time—but would you rather send 50 thoughtless applications that get ignored, or 10 targeted ones that actually generate interviews? Embrace LinkedIn as Your Career Command Center I'm amazed by how many job seekers still treat LinkedIn as an afterthought. In today's digital world, your LinkedIn profile is often your first chance to make an impression. Worse yet, many young professionals create a profile and then abandon it, missing countless opportunities for meaningful connections. Your LinkedIn presence should be as polished and strategic as your résumé. More importantly, it should be active. Share insights about your industry, comment thoughtfully on posts from professionals you admire, and regularly update your network on your career journey. We encourage young adults to view LinkedIn as a relationship-building platform, not just a digital résumé. The connections you make today become the foundation for opportunities in the future. Many of our most successful clients have landed positions through LinkedIn relationships they cultivated months before they even began their formal job search. Abandon the Perfect Role Fantasy One of the most career-limiting beliefs I encounter is the idea that you should wait for the perfect opportunity. Young professionals often turn down roles that don't match their exact vision, convinced that holding out will yield something better. This perfectionist mindset ignores a fundamental truth: careers are built through progression. Some of the most successful individuals I've mentored started in positions that seemed unrelated to their ultimate goals but provided invaluable experience and connections. Early in your career, prioritize learning and growth over title and salary. A role with exceptional mentorship, challenging projects, or exposure to senior leadership can be far more valuable than a prestigious position where you'll be isolated or underutilized. The goal is forward momentum, not immediate arrival at your destination. I often tell my mentees that your first job is rarely your last job, but it's always your launching pad. Choose roles that accelerate your trajectory, even if they don't perfectly align with your original vision. Master the Art of Strategic Follow-Up The job search doesn't end when you walk out of the interview room: that's when the real work begins. Yet countless candidates don't take full advantage of promising opportunities by failing to follow up appropriately. A thoughtful follow-up message accomplishes several critical objectives: it demonstrates your genuine interest, reinforces key points from your conversation, and keeps you visible during the decision-making process. More importantly, it shows that you understand professional norms and can manage relationships effectively. Your follow-up should be personalized, referencing specific moments from your conversation and reiterating how you can contribute to their team's success. This isn't about being pushy—it's about being professional and maintaining momentum. I've seen talented candidates lose opportunities to less-qualified competitors simply because they assumed their interview performance would speak for itself. In a competitive market, every advantage matters, and strategic follow-up can be the difference between getting the offer or being forgotten Stop Waiting Until Your Senior Year to Think About Career Strategy One of the most limiting mistakes I see is students who coast through their first few years of college without any career planning, suddenly panicking during junior or senior year when they realize competitive roles require years of preparation. Today's job market rewards those who think strategically early. The most coveted positions, whether in finance, consulting, technology, or other competitive fields, increasingly expect candidates to have meaningful internship experience, relevant projects, and established industry connections. Students who wait until their final years find themselves competing against peers who've been building their credentials since freshman year. But let me be clear: starting later doesn't doom your prospects. I've mentored countless students who discovered their career direction during their junior or senior years and still achieved remarkable success. The key is understanding that you'll need to accelerate your efforts and be more strategic about your approach. The real mistake isn't starting late; it's continuing to delay action once you recognize the importance of career planning. Whether you're a freshman or a senior, the best time to start building your professional foundation is right now. The Path Forward Throughout my career mentoring young professionals, I've watched talented individuals gain access to opportunities they never thought possible by simply approaching their job search with the same intelligence and intention they bring to other aspects of their lives. Remember, your job search can be a demonstration of your professional capabilities. Employers are evaluating not just what you've accomplished, but how you approach challenges, manage relationships, and execute strategies. The job market may be competitive, but it's not impenetrable. With the right approach, persistence, and strategic thinking, you can transform your job search from a source of frustration into a launching pad for the career you truly want.
Entrepreneur
22-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
A Program That Helped Build 144,000 Jobs Gets Slashed by Budget Cuts — What Happens Next Is Pivotal for Small Business Support
The agency is facing elimination. But this could be an opportunity. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. SCORE, the nonprofit that has supported small businesses for over six decades, recently faced a major setback: the latest tax and spending bill eliminated about 60% of its federal funding — a core part of its budget. For an organization that offers free mentoring to hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs annually, this looks like a serious blow. But what if this funding cut is not the end of SCORE — but a new beginning? With a vast network of 10,000 volunteer mentors and a proven track record of economic impact — including helping start 58,000 new businesses and creating 144,000 jobs in 2024 alone — SCORE has always been a vital lifeline for small business owners. However, without reliable federal support, SCORE faces a crossroads: continue to rely on uncertain government appropriations or reinvent itself as a self-sustaining business. Related: 3 Solutions That Help Alleviate Everyday Pressures Small Business Owners Face The real impact behind SCORE's numbers According to SCORE, every federal dollar invested generated $45 in economic benefits. This was achieved through four million mentoring hours across 200 chapters, advising over 300,000 entrepreneurs annually. These numbers show that SCORE's work isn't just a feel-good story — it's an economic engine. Yet, despite these impressive results, the realities of federal budget cuts have forced SCORE's leadership to confront a difficult question: How can SCORE continue fulfilling its mission without government backing? Facing tough realities: the bigger budget picture As an advocate and advisor for small businesses in this country, it pains me to see great organizations like this lose their support. SCORE is clearly a valuable agency that has helped countless small businesses in the more than 60 years since its founding in 1964. But I'm also a realist. The reality is that, regardless of what we want, there are limitations to what we can afford. Yes, I'd like free education, free healthcare, clean water, safe highways and strong defense. I also appreciate all the research done by so many government agencies and academic institutions that received federal support. But I, like many business owners, also see a $2 trillion annual deficit and a $36 trillion national debt and don't know how we and our children and grandchildren can sustain that level of liabilities. Some things have to be cut. Some things have to go. And it looks like SCORE, like many other good programs the Federal government funds, is one of those things. Government spending must be prioritized and trimmed where possible. Unfortunately, this means good programs sometimes lose funding — even those with proven results. It's painful for advocates and advisors to see a respected organization like SCORE face these challenges. But the truth is, many federally funded programs will need to find new models to survive. A bold proposal: what if SCORE became a business? SCORE's greatest asset isn't just its volunteers or history — it's its infrastructure, leadership and brand recognition. These assets could enable SCORE to spin off from government support and operate as a private, self-sustaining entity. It already has the foundation — a trusted name in the small business community, a robust volunteer network and experienced leadership. With the right strategy, SCORE could attract investors, lenders or equity partners who see the value in its proven return on investment. And that ROI can be translated into real dollars. Imagine SCORE charging a sliding scale of fees based on a business's ability to pay — allowing startups and small enterprises with limited resources to still receive help, while those who can afford it contribute. Or consider raising funds from corporate sponsors who already invest heavily in small business programs, redirecting those dollars toward SCORE's mission. SCORE could also contract its expertise to consulting firms or financial institutions — creating new revenue streams while expanding its impact. Why change is necessary SCORE's traditional model — volunteer consultants supported by government-paid staff — has its limitations. Volunteers vary in quality and motivation, and government employees don't operate under typical business incentives that reward customer satisfaction and performance. For SCORE to thrive in a post-funding world, it must adopt a model that encourages accountability, quality and sustainability. The opportunity ahead If SCORE were to disappear, would more small businesses fail? Would the economy suffer? Probably not dramatically — other organizations and market forces would fill some gaps. But SCORE has a unique opportunity to redefine itself — not just as a nonprofit supporter of small business but as a business itself, accountable for its outcomes and financially self-sufficient. Like the entrepreneurs it helps, SCORE can pivot, adapt and innovate. Related: How to Secure a Small Business Grant in 5 Easy Steps Final thoughts Brigett Weston, SCORE's CEO, recently said, "Without federal support, this incredibly efficient and effective program is at serious risk of no longer fulfilling its mission." That risk is real. But it's also a chance. SCORE can lead the way in demonstrating how public support programs might evolve to meet today's financial realities — continuing to empower entrepreneurs and build our economy, but on its own terms. This is not just a story about funding cuts; it's about resilience, reinvention and the future of small business support in America. Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.
News.com.au
16-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Learnt on the job': Aussie dropouts smashing career goals
Luan Memishi dropped out of school in Grade 10. The 34-year-old Gold Coast business owner was never really cut out for academics, and found most of school boring, except for what he was learning in woodworking class. 'I did work experience for a while with my cousin who was a carpenter at the time, and then in 2006 I enrolled at Victoria University to complete my 16-week pre-apprenticeship course,' he told From there, a four-year apprenticeship led to a career in carpentry and form work, something that just this year, with prompting from his entrepreneur partner Monique, he parlayed into his own business, LMMJ Constructions. 'I always knew he was very talented but just need a little mentoring in business,' explains Monique, who runs nationwide modelling agency Diversity Models. Monique, who worked as a teacher for 13 years, says her own experience has shown her that mentoring in business can be far more effective and impactful than formal education. 'Luan has now won a huge civil construction contract on the Gold Coast and will go national soon with it,' she beams. 'I learnt on the job,' agrees Luan. 'And through a combination of meeting the right people who believed in me, and continuing to develop my skills, I've been able to be successful.' Evangeline Sarney was just 13 years old when she launched a beauty blog from her bedroom, growing up in the remote Flinders Ranges region of South Australia. Just five years later, that blog would be reaching 1.2 million readers worldwide. She began working with brands at just 14 years old. 'I received my first press package,' she recalls. 'And thought 'wow, this is cool, I don't need to buy products at Priceline anymore!' then went on to write paid articles for brands like The Body Shop and Palmers, and create visual content for brands including Covergirl, Burt's Bees, Schwarzkopf, L'Oreal, Priceline Australia, and many more.' By 21, Evangeline made the move from her sleepy country town to the US, landing a job as marketing consultant for L'Oreal/Lancome in New York - a dream start for anyone in the industry. 'From there, I secured full-time contracts with Estée Lauder and Elizabeth Arden, building a reputation as someone who understands both the creative and strategic side of brand marketing,' she explains. 'Today, I work as a marketing consultant for major beauty brands in NYC, helping them craft compelling campaigns and connect with modern audiences. Everything I've built has come from hands-on experience, hustle, and a deep passion for beauty …no university degree required.' Bryce Meeks completed a Bachelor of Business with a marketing major at La Trobe University in Melbourne, but says his most valuable education began behind the counter at his after-school job at Subway, where he started as a 'sandwich artist' at 16. Seventeen years later, Bryce is still employed by Subway, but has long moved on from casual shifts, rising through the ranks to become a shift manager before working his way up to head office. Having gained experience across several areas of the business since 2008 in development, operating and leasing, the 33-year-old is now the company's director of franchise performance for Queensland and the Northern Territory. 'I started at Subway to earn some money and in the beginning, I didn't even know that it could be a long-lasting career,' he says. Bryce has gained diverse professional experience in his different positions over the years - from helping aspiring business owners to secure their first restaurants, to negotiating leases and rolling out new technology, and says every position has taught him something valuable to help him grow. 'The majority of my learnings were at Subway on the job and that's experience no university can teach,' he said. In fact, the ability to learn on the job is a quality more and more Australian employers put a premium on. 'On-the-job training is an important part of what it means to be qualified,' a spokesperson from the Australian Government's Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) told 'The transfer of skills and knowledge from employer to employee, supervisor to worker or peer to peer, is a valid and vital form of learning. Formal training is not always necessary before starting a role and work experience can sometimes be the preference of employers.' New research from global recruitment outfit Indeed found that an overwhelming 94 per cent of employers globally valued on-the-job experience over formal qualifications, and with a number of companies dropping formal education requirements from their application criteria, the paradigm has well and truly shifted. The survey found that over half of employers (55 per cent) agree that on-the-job experience is more attractive than a university degree, with 70 per cent saying they will prioritise asking about an applicant's experience to help them decide in recruitment. Australian HR tech company Compono also found that 74 of Aussie organisations increased Learning & Development budgets mid-2024 to build skills internally, especially to fill talent shortages. There is evidence, too, that formal studying undertaken after a building a solid foundation within an industry can be more beneficial than the reverse, which has long been held up as the 'right' way to do things. For Evangeline, who did enrol in a bachelor's degree in communications in 2020 when she was temporarily forced to return home due to the pandemic, it didn't seem like the best use of her time. 'I quit after two semesters when I moved back to NYC,' she says. 'When I landed the gig at L'Oreal and was working alongside people with masters degrees, it didn't seem like the best use of my time to spend it studying.' And while formal education still holds merit for certain careers or types of learners, our rapidly changing career landscape paints a clear picture: perhaps it's time to redefine what it truly means to be 'qualified'.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bantams Community Foundation gets grant for mentoring scheme
Bradford City FC Community Foundation has secured funding to launch a new support programme. The foundation has been awarded a £100,000 grant from the SkyBet EFL Building Foundations Fund to deliver "The Way Forward," a football-based mentoring scheme for young men aged 18 to 24 in Bradford. The project is aimed at those in some of the city's most deprived areas, who are facing high unemployment, poor mental health, and limited opportunities. The programme will use sport, coaching, and life skills training to build confidence, resilience, and pathways into education or employment. Bradford City FC Community Foundation was inspired by Gareth Southgate's response to the Centre for Social Justice's "Lost Boys" report in March 2025. Ian Ormondroyd, chief executive officer of the Foundation and a former Bantams player, said: "Growing up in Bradford, I experienced first-hand the power football naturally has in changing the trajectory of young men's lives. "Our commitment to this city is to support everyone, from all backgrounds, and that includes young men who are struggling with finding their place in society. "This grant allows us to support them in their futures, and have a say in ensuring they are viewed as positive, contributing members of our society. "I'd like to thank SkyBet and the EFL for providing us with these vital funds, so we can continue to make a difference in Bradford." Pavan Sembi, the Foundation's project lead for the programme, said: "Following extensive research in our community, a large number of young men expressed feelings of being forgotten in their communities. "That made our task simple – we need to empower young men to take control of improving their circumstances, and empower them to be supportive, contributing members of their communities. "'A loss of identity for men and boys in deprived areas is something we have seen and heard consistently throughout our work. "The Way Forward is our chance to engage them in positive activities, imbue them with the skills they need to grow and develop as people and professionals, and create a lasting legacy they can carry forward into adulthood." The Building Foundations Fund, now in its second year, is a sponsor-backed fund dedicated solely to community activity. It offers 72 EFL clubs the chance to bid for grants of up to £100,000 to invest in ongoing programmes or to develop new initiatives. The other clubs awarded funding in this round were Colchester United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Shrewsbury Town, and Walsall.
