This case study looks at how business mentoring helped Wellsprings for Women improve its internal management and financial literacy. The result is a stronger organisation that is better equipped to deal with change.
The challenge of rapid change
Dandenong not for profit organisation Wellsprings for Women has had to adapt to a rapidly changing local population with increasingly diverse needs. Overseeing this change has been a challenging process for Wellsprings Manager Veronica Hassett.
“As a manager in a not for profit you are not only the manager; you are a lawyer, a human resources officer, a volunteer; you are opening doors and you are counselling. Sometimes you feel you carry it all on your own and you’re isolated from others.” Veronica Hassett, Manager
Support through business planning and mentoring
Between November 2011 and June 2013, the former Office for the Community Sector, in partnership with Small Business Victoria and the Small Business Mentoring Service, delivered the Business Planning for Not for Profit Program.
The Program featured ten business planning seminars and individual business mentoring sessions across Victoria to support not for profit community organisations improve business practices. This case study was one of the participants in the program.
A mentor appointed through a business planning program proved a welcome support for Veronica. Having an external mentor introduced a new perspective to the challenges Wellsprings was facing. The mentor worked with Veronica to create a work plan aligned with the organisation’s business plan, and tailored to a manager’s perspective.
“Sometimes you get stuck thinking about things from the board perspective, but she helped me detach and analyse what my role as manager can and should achieve.” Veronica Hassett, Manager