Planning resource

Business mentoring preparation template

Make your next mentoring conversation focus on a decision.

Choose one question

Describe the decision you need help with and why it matters now. State any deadline or constraint. A focused question makes it easier to use the session well.

Bring evidence

Summarise customer feedback, performance measures and relevant options. Separate facts from assumptions. Remove personal or confidential information you do not need to share.

Fictional example: a retailer

The owner is considering opening a second shop. They bring current profitability, operational capacity and evidence about the proposed location. The session identifies missing demand evidence and a lower-cost test before committing to a lease.

Agree the next step

Record your decision or investigation, one accountable owner, due date and evidence to bring next time. The business owner remains responsible for choices.

Review after the session

Use the monthly growth review to track learning. Programme teams can use the same preparation structure across sessions and discuss InkWell with NIAXO.

Continue with InkWell

Explore how InkWell helps develop business strategy and translate it into clear communication. See how InkWell works.