BT has launched a new mentoring programme to support small businesses during the pandemic, in partnership with Digital Boost, a free non-profit platform which unites digital experts with leaders of small businesses.
BT has pledged to deliver free one-to-one coaching sessions to at least 1,000 small businesses as part of its Small Business Support Scheme, which launched last Summer.
The mentoring initiative is open to all BT employees and has been successfully trialled with a number of small businesses prior to launch.
BT has enlisted the expertise of its colleagues across the business – including senior executives - to upskill small businesses on a range of topics, including Cyber Security, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, and more. Digital Boost will connect individuals from small businesses with relevant BT experts via its free online platform, where small businesses are able to register their interest in booking a free virtual mentoring session.
BT launched its Small Business Support scheme last Summer – a broad range of measures to help small businesses get better positioned for growth during and beyond the pandemic. The scheme aims to do this by boosting the connectivity, cashflow and confidence that many small firms say they lack as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Pete Oliver, MD SME for BT’s Enterprise unit
Helping small businesses to acquire new skills and boost their confidence during these exceptionally challenging times is a central part of BT’s Small Business Support Scheme. We’ve already equipped a further 20,000 small businesses with digital skills since the launch of the scheme and now we’re going even further by introducing a free mentoring programme.
Sherry Coutu, Founder at Digital Boost
At Digital Boost, we help those who work for and lead small businesses and charities to survive the COVID-19 crisis and be more competitive in the long-run. BT is a key partner in our effort to help prepare the UK to build back better after the pandemic.
