Volunteering is a rewarding experience that delivers benefits both ways.
Eamon van der Flier shares what he’s learned from supporting small businesses.
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that delivers benefits both ways – but don’t just take our word for it. Eamon van der Flier, Managing Director of Carbon 10 Group, shares what he’s learned so far and how other business leaders can make the most of the experience.
Eamon has been involved with Be the Business since its inception. He has spent many years working as a business coach alongside his day job, and is passionate about helping other people realise their potential.
“One reason I got involved is that I love seeing people develop and grow and go onto great things. It gets me up in the morning. Another reason is that I’m an entrepreneurial person and want to support small businesses – my dad and brother both had their own businesses”
Bringing new ideas back
Volunteering also offers plenty of opportunities for personal development. Eamon explained that being a volunteer isn’t just a one-way street where it’s up to you to give back – you get exposure to lots of different industries and viewpoints, which can inspire changes in your own company.
“When you’re having discussions with a small business, you’ll agree on something and then they’ll go away and do it the next day. It’s made me think, how can I get that practice to happen in a larger business? How do you cut through all the processes?” he said.
“I’m waiting on a board assignment for The Productivity Programme at the moment, which I’m excited about. It’s going to be about seeing a small business from a tighter viewpoint in terms of time, and combining different internal and external perspectives.”
Making a business more efficient
When it comes to helping a small business be more productive, Eamon focuses on the decisions that will make the business better, and more efficient and effective.
“I want to enable the business owner to have a more effective business, where improved productivity is the result. That means cutting out inefficiencies and wasted time and thinking. It’s about being aligned with their customers, and getting people to the answers quicker,” he said.
It’s also important to think about how you can bring your unique skills and experiences to the table. Eamon draws on his professional training, past coaching experience and upbringing to bring a balanced perspective to conversations.
“I’m a trained accountant, so I can bring the financial structure and rational elements. Then from my entrepreneurial side, I can bring the ideas and big-picture thinking about what’s possible,” he said.
You don’t need all the answers
For new volunteers, Eamon emphasises that you don’t have to know all the answers. Be open to learning new things and prepared to step outside of the corporate mindset.
“You’ll learn loads if you’re open to it. New mentors can get nervous that they’re going to be expected to be the teacher at the front of the class. Most of the time, the small business owner will have the answers, it’s just about helping them get there and maybe challenging some of their assumptions,” Eamon said.
“I would encourage mentors to listen. It’s an obvious thing, but really listen – don’t just wait to speak. It also helps if you can spend a couple of hours in the business you’re going to work with as well. A video call can be fine further down the track, but you’ve got to absorb and understand the business in order to help in the best way.”
Want to volunteer your time to support another business owner?
The Productivity Programme pairs small and medium-sized businesses with advisory boards made up of experienced business professionals.