What do a furniture factory, a construction company, handicraft manufacturers, a bakery, a kava exporter, a few restaurants and resorts, a coconut-oil-based cosmetics manufacturer, a new retail shop, a whale-watch operator, and a pearl jewellery centre have in common? You have guessed correctly: These are all businesses which are part of my growing mentoring portfolio.
Some of you have asked me for an update on my business mentoring job. Thank you for your interest. Here it is:
The tide has turned with my job here. What started as a really tough assignment, with the first three months being largely desk-bound (refer to my October blog ‘The WHY Makes a Difference’), all stops have now been removed! In fact, there is such a strong demand for our services that my local colleague and I are starting to plan how we can step up the mentoring resourcing accordingly. But this is something for the next post.
So how does this mentoring work? Firstly, we don’t approach people telling them that they need us. We only respond to business owners and managers requesting help. At an on-site meeting, we discuss their business situation and scope any coaching or mentoring needs. Provided these fit into the ‘inclusive economic growth criteria’ of TongaSkills (the organisation I work for), we then sign a two-way contract outlining our respective obligations.
Through a series of mentoring sessions (somewhere between 2 and 12 per client), my local colleague and I cover all the areas needed. We aim for a skill and knowledge transfer, so clients can directly implement what they have learnt. Our work appears to be most effective when a level of mutual trust is established first, upon which completely open discussions and learning can happen. The mentoring program is focused on the clients’ needs and is by nature very practical. It does, however, mean homework for the business managers, and for me too!
There is no cost for this TongaSkills service. Usually, we meet at the client’s premises (pisinisi ‘i he ofisi – business at the office):
What is fascinating to me, and a real privilege, is that these local Tongan business people are accepting me, as a foreign Palangi, so openly into their confidence. I’m finding it very special to sit with a Tongan business owner in their factory or in their restaurant and discuss and plan their business – enjoying the relationship and often laughing together.
I guess the ‘pay’ of a volunteer is the level of making a difference in people’s lives. A recent, unprompted comment from a client made my day: ‘Through the training and business coaching, you are giving me the confidence that I can do what I always wanted to do: Set up and operate my own business.’ Or a client who had found it tough to be the sole manager of a business, expressed his relief at the end of a long coaching session: ‘The weight which I carried around with me for a long time has now gone. I’m now clear on what I need to do and how to go about it. I think that I will be able to sleep again!’
With these comments I’m getting well rewarded!
Hi Rolf,
I enjoyed hearing how you and your co-worker are making a difference in the lives of many businesses in Tonga. Not only will this be helping the business owners, but their workers and families and the economy of Tonga.
God has placed you in Tonga and used you. You can use your experience and God given talent to help people to help themselves. Thank you.
This is so great! What a tremendous turn around in a few short months! Your services sound like they are being very well received.
Awesome Rolf! You and Sabine are really blessing people over there with your talents.
It seems to me your role is similar to that of a parent- and when you have done your job properly you will no longer be required! Your ‘mentees’ (???!!!) will be flourishing and independent. An achievement you can share with them. But like any great parent, I’m sure you’ll be always remembered with affection!