The Business Mentors are back and their skill sets are more diverse than ever. The highly popular scheme returns to The Hospitality Show this January (NEC Birmingham, 19th-21st) offering show visitors the unique opportunity to book free 15-minute one-to-one sessions with some of the most varied and respected players in hospitality.
Are you stumped by social media? Food and drink menus in desperate need of a refresh? Do you want to learn how the right catering equipment could lower your bills? Curious about crowdfunding but unsure of the right path? These are just some of the subjects on which The Hospitality’s dedicated Business Mentor team can offer guidance and advice.
All areas of expertise – in confidence
The 2015 lineup includes: social media guru and Digital Blonde, Karen Fewell (pictured above); Head of Innovation for Coup de Pates, Neville Moon; Chairman of CEDA (Catering Equipment Distributers Association) and Managing Director of Vision Commercial Kitchens,Jack Sharkey; Senior Investment Associate at Seedrs, Europe’s most-active online platform for investing in start-ups, Frank Webster; hotel procurement expert, Gordon Anderson; drinks industry legend, Stuart Rosenblat; owner and founder of bar restaurant consultancy service Yuzu Hospitality, Steve Cash; Managing Director of Panache Consultancy and one of the top 100 most influential women in Britain’s hospitality, transport, travel and tourism sectors, Niccola Boyd-Stevenson; respected hospitality consultant, Stephen McManus; hotel profitability guru, Peter Hales; Chief Executive of the Institute of Hospitality, Peter Ducker; the outgoing Managing Director for the Gaucho group, Martin Williams; financial advisor, David Campbell; hotel management recruitment specialist, John Hunt and James Dilley, head of the hotel, hospitality and interior design teams at award-winning architecture and interiors practice Jestico + Whiles.
One of the four mentoring booths will be dedicated to the business of better design. Visitors can discuss projects in confidence with experts who understand how to create striking interiors that work harder for operators.
Defining moment in your career?
Toby Wand, Managing Director at Fresh Montgomery comments: “Ask any successful business person about defining moments in their career and you can bet that at some point in their rise to prominence they will have been mentored.
“There may be one or many, but the importance of a figurehead, there to help drive you on, or offer that bellwether piece of advice that you never forget and take with you throughout your career, cannot be understated.
“Mentoring is crucial to growth and development which is why, this January, we’re bringing back the programme and welcoming our best ever and most diverse set of Mentors to help visitors with some seriously pertinent business challenges.”
Hot button subjects
The Mentors have been hand selected to deal with modern challenges faced by hospitality businesses. Earlier this year, The Hospitality Show polled past visitors on hot button subjects they would want to talk over with a mentor.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents from the fields of hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and breweries, the cost sector, QSR, fast food, cafes, snack bars and coffee shops, respectively, said they would appreciate help understanding the benefits of social media, while 25% said that support on standing out in a crowded high street would be beneficial.
A quarter craved menu development advice with a further 30% wanting to know how they can harness catering equipment and technology in their own operations.
Operators are not alone in the challenges they face
Toby adds: “The research shows that operators are not alone in the challenges they face. We’ve listened to their feedback and specially selected each mentor for their knowledge on a raft of relevant subjects setting the hospitality agenda, and some that just don’t seem to want to go away. I advise anyone looking to kick start their business to come along, listen and learn from those who have been there and done it all.”
Book now
Visitors looking to benefit from 15 minutes with a Business Mentor can now book online here. Late appointments can also be taken at the show but advanced booking is advised as the sessions prove extremely popular.
With a core focus on the Best of British hospitality, The Hospitality Show is the place where the UK comes to network and do serious business, consistently attracting high quality exhibitors and special guests sourced from across the hospitality spectrum. Focus areas include: hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafés, delis and the cost sector, with the show providing a glittering showcase for cutting edge products and services from the core fields of food & drink, technology, catering equipment, interiors, tableware and careers.
Visitors can go here and register now for a free ticket to the show.
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