Business mentoring in Kenya

Small businesses in Kenya are often run by people with huge drive but few formally acquired skills. Your experience can help them to unlock their talent, even in a short time. You will be mentoring, not doing - think chats over coffee, rather than squinting at a computer screen.

We can help you to incorporate this into a holiday in Kenya, one of Africa's most sought-after tourist destinations. We will arrange accommodation and food, and our fee includes induction training, matching with entrepreneurs, and access to full support in-country.

As long you have at least five years of experience in business, we will organise an assignment that makes the most of what you have to offer. You could be an accountant, consultant, advertiser, lawyer, project manager or HR specialist. Whatever your background, your business skills will be in demand, and we know how to help you to turn those skills to the advantage of clients in Kenya, and to give you an inspiring and unforgettable experience in the process.

In return for your skills, enthusiasm and commitment, we will offer you the most challenging and rewarding experience of your life. You will work closely with a number of small businesses, providing one-to-one mentoring support to each of them. This experience will open you up to new challenges in a completely new environment, and will give you a fascinating range of case studies to learn from and to draw upon during the rest of your career. Your days with us start with an early breakfast, followed by a discussion over coffee with your mentee (who will have commuted to Naivasha for the day of mentoring). This initial session focuses on the nature of the issue that he or she wishes to discuss. This is followed by lunch at your accommodation, and then an afternoon of more in-depth discussions, during which you explore potential options for resolving the issue with your mentee and then agree action points to be completed before the next mentoring day. You might then take part in a group discussion to round off the day, looking at an issue that is of interest to all of the mentors and mentees on site that day (such as the potential of e-commerce, or the best ways to reach international markets).

You might also choose to visit your mentee at his or her premises, to get a real insight into what makes their business tick. Your fee includes a visit to each of your mentees.

The rest of the afternoon is spent relaxing in or around your accommodation, with local walks and excursions arranged. After a light supper and the traditional ‘sundowner’ drink, an evening of socialising around an open fire can begin in earnest.

At weekends you can choose to relax at your own leisure or to visit some of the many wildlife reserves in the area, including Kigio Wildlife Conservancy, Hell’s Gate National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park. You might also choose to go on a safari in Kenya before or after your assignment, perhaps in the world-famous Masai Mara, or to visit Kenya’s stunning beaches on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Any time - there is no bad time of year to visit Kenya. Mentoring projects are available all year round, and you can combine your trip with a safari or a visit to the coast at any time. Peak tourist seasons are Christmas and New Year, Easter and July / August, but the weather is equally good at other times, and the country is quieter off peak!