The Business Mentorship Institute (BMI) is a not-for-profit, province-wide organization that opened its Saskatoon office in May of 2006. For the first three years of its inception, BMI partnered with economic and business development organizations in Saskatchewan as a resource to provide mentorship matching services to their stakeholders.
Mentorship stimulates economic growth. Through BMI, community-based, industry-based, or special interest groups can further benefit the entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan and the community in general.
Together, members of the BMI network are building a culture of mentorship. Partner organizations supported by BMI provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to be exposed to mentorship services. BMI supports mentorship initiatives with training, information resources, networking opportunities, and promotional materials.
Our mandate is to be:
The provincial entity responsible for leading in the promotion, training, and programming of mentorship, with the goal of enhancing the productivity of the province's business community.
Five goals have been set to accomplish this mandate:
- Promote the benefits of Mentorship;
- Support Mentors and Protégés;
- Create an Ambassador's Program;
- Research and develop sector specific Mentorship projects; and
- Strengthening existing partnerships and developing new relationships.
While the range of sectors realizing the importance of mentorship and are requiring the means to implement this area into their business plans is limitless, BMI will be concentrating on the following groups:
- Entrepreneurs (new and existing)
- Aboriginal persons
- Youth
- Labour attraction/retention
- Agriculture
BMI Partnerships
In recent months, the Business Mentorship Institute (BMI) has joined partnerships with organizations including: The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB); The Saskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers’ Association (SEIMA); The Princess Shop, and Affinity Credit Union. These collaborations will not only strengthen the culture of mentorship but also enhances the productivity of the province’s business community. The following outlines each of these organizations and what the partnership will or has entailed.
CCAB is an organization who facilitates and builds relationships between the business sector and Aboriginal peoples. They also work with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses in sustainability, training and skill development, and recognition of Aboriginal business success. CCAB has piloted a mentorship program this year in four provinces; Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. BMI has identified Aboriginal peoples as one of its five market sectors and therefore, we are excited to have the support of a well-known, well-established Aboriginal organization. BMI has provided a protégé for their program as well as aided in the logistics of their Saskatchewan training session.
SEIMA is a provincial association of companies and individuals within the environment industry in which links are created with concerned industries and governmental agencies. A RFP was recently awarded to a consultant firm for the development of an Industry Mentorship Program in support of the Labour Market Development for the Environmental Industry. SEIMA will draw upon the knowledge and experience we possess on the implementation of this program.
The Princess Shop creates an enhanced graduation experience for female students in need, and provides them with mentorship, support, and the tools to pursue success after graduation. They lend these individuals graduation dresses, shoes, accessories, and have access to makeup, hair, photos, and limousine services. This year they are piloting a mentorship program called the Fairy Godmother Program where Fairy Godmother’s (mentors) have been paired with Princesses (protégés) to create a role-model type mentorship relationship. BMI aided in the development of the training material for this initiative and will continue to provide support as required. We are pleased to work more closely with Saskatchewan youth; another BMI market sector.
Affinity Credit Union is a member-owned community oriented financial institution; a great fit for BMI’s clients. They have dedicated time and effort on our behalf including providing mentors. We foresee it becoming a great collaboration with their clients and communities benefitting from the success of mentorship.