Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development (CICBD) provides services to entrepreneurs in the Cayman Islands and believe our services can be enhanced with the value added support of volunteers in the form of time, energy, experience, expertise and commitment. CICBD is dedicated to developing and maintaining a quality capacity building programme where volunteers can work collaboratively with staff to unlock clients’ potential and learn from each other in a supportive environment. CICBD prides itself in its ability to develop exciting volunteer opportunities for potential volunteers from various fields of business expertise. We strive to ensure best standards of practice and transparency between volunteers and clients in order to ensure that both parties have the best possible experience and the opportunity to benefit mutually from the interventions/experience. Our volunteers serve in either of two capacities:
MENTORS
The Cayman Islands Centre for Business Development (CICBD) views the mentorship of its clients as a key component of its mission of driving economic prosperity through small business development. The mentor’s role in the CICBD’s business development programme will be to lend experience and expertise to our entrepreneurs who very likely will lack the required skill, experience and connections to scale on their own. Our entrepreneurs will need their assistance in the form of advice or connections which they may otherwise be unable to get and leverage.
The development of our entrepreneurs will rely on the passionate support of the rich and diverse network of successful, highly skilled individuals who generously dedicate their knowledge, skill, time, network and support to assist in growing our ventures. Mentors have a broad range of experience and skills and excellent interpersonal skills. They will provide the entrepreneurs/startups with the opportunity to tap into high value networks, capacity building resources, global exposure and a rich pool of experience from a broad range of sectors. As such, the mentor functions to increase the likelihood of these businesses scaling successfully.
This Charter is intended to provide programme participants with an overview of the Mentorship Programme, guidelines for the implementation of the programme, and an understanding of what is required for participation. Participants should note that this Mentorship Programme is on a voluntary basis.
The Purpose/Objectives
CICBD’s Mentorship Programme will provide startups/entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain insight from experienced and highly successful, seasoned/serial entrepreneurs, attorneys, accounting professionals, technology specialists, marketing experts, financial analysts, and other professionals. This diverse network of mentors also consists of angel investors and corporate executives at the top of their companies.
The programme is designed to foster business growth, cultivate a growth mindset, and increase collaboration and communication through expanding networks and sharing knowledge. Specifically, the objective of the Mentorship Programme is to:
- Provide a cadre of persons with the experience and expertise from which startups can get consistent support
- Establish a mentorship ‘blue-print’ programme that can be replicated for the benefit of entrepreneurs across the Cayman Islands
- Augment the resources of support available to practicing and/or fledgling entrepreneurs
- Improve the probability of success among start-ups
Who are we targeting?
- Those with a success track record as an entrepreneur – who have mastered the art of deriving success from failure
- Professionals (marketing, law, finance, management) with local and international experience that will be useful in getting residents into the global marketplace
- Executive level corporate employees with the skills to help residents bridge market gaps
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Our voluntary advisory board consists of community members and professionals who are passionate about the development of entrepreneurship. They provide our entrepreneurs with the guidance necessary to build out governance structures that prepare them for valuation, growth and investment.
Their professional advice allows clients to gain valuable insight and practical experience in managing business growth or the scale-up process. Through collaboration they act as proxy for decision-making in the absence of a board of directors for our growing companies.
Their services include:
- Legal advice
- Strategic decision-making
- Financial Reviews
- Business Valuation
- Market Development strategy
- Hiring Decisions
- Efficiency Decisions
Who are we targeting?
- Certified professionals with at least five years’ experience working in their fields of practice.
- Corporate professionals who have been board members and have been involved in strategic decision making
- Professionals who have worked in the field of corporate governance and/or risk management
- Professionals who have traction working to develop a board of directors for small and medium-sized businesses
We would appreciate your feedback