PLATO™ New Zealand - General Information

PLATO™ New Zealand is a new business mentoring and peer support programme being introduced in June 2008.

The programme is aimed at owner-managers of small and medium sized business (SMEs) and offers a controlled learning framework, access to different experts and networking opportunities tailored specifically for the needs and demands of growing businesses.

The two-year programme, which will initially be run as a pilot in the Auckland region, is a unique addition to the New Zealand market and is based on an international model first introduced in Belgium in 1988. PLATO™ networks are now underway in Europe, the UK and Ireland.

PLATO™ New Zealand is designed to complement the existing training and mentoring programmes already available for owner-managers of SMEs. The local programme will closely follow the international model with elements tailored for the New Zealand businesses environment and the specific needs of SMEs here.

The programme provides a more formal learning environment, interaction with experienced managers from larger organisations, and a forum to discuss ideas, challenges and issues with like-minded companies. Training covers all the key elements of running a successful business, and participants work together, and with experts and trainers, to address the issues their growing businesses face.

One of the unique aspects of PLATO™ is that while the programme covers all the key elements of running a successful business, the overall direction of each network is determined by the participants involved.

The programme’s success internationally is largely due to it providing a forum for businesses to test their strategies against a sounding board of those who have ‘been there, done that’ and more importantly against companies who are at a similar level of development.

The programme:

The New Zealand pilot will include two networks or groups, each with 10-12 participants and two group facilitators. Each group will meet on a monthly basis, and participants will also have the opportunity to attend additional networking and training events organised for both groups.

What others have to say

“As a Managing Director of a small business with high growth plans I found the supporting, trusting environment of my PLATO™ group extremely valuable – the collective knowledge and experience of my fellow group members was very powerful in helping me move my business forward.” Paul Gordon, Catalyze, participant, PLATO™ UK, now chair of PLATO™ New Zealand steering group.

In many ways the programme resembled a mini practical based MBA for participants and group leaders. It addressed all areas relating to business management and growth in a practical, supportive environment. It provided access to a ready network of similarly minded business people and parent companies keen to support local enterprise. As a participant, I got tremendous value from the 3 hour monthly group meetings. There were lots of ideas shared, participants had the opportunity to air business issues and ideas for collective feedback and the status of issue resolution was always followed up at subsequent meetings, so there was little opportunity to ignore these. Derrick Russell, participant, Plato Ireland, 1993-1995.

My own networking skills increased and my personal network changed and got bigger. This is an investment in yourself. Jos Verwimp, Philips Innovative Applications, Belgium.