O’r fro i’r byd

Mentera 2024-2030

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Chapters:

Introduction

Mentera has been inspiring and supporting people and businesses across Wales since 1989. During this time, we’ve become a household name and are recognised as the go-to company for any business or entrepreneur looking for support, advice or expertise.

We’re second-to-none in our ability to offer a wide range of services bilingually. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff are based in communities across Wales, which allows us to connect with and support future entrepreneurs and business owners on their own patch.

We’re proud of our long history of working in partnership with developers and service providers too, which includes our thorough work in managing large interventions on behalf of funders

Following the appointment of new Board members, a new chief executive and substantial changes to the funding landscape, we saw an opportunity to set ourselves a clear course of work for this new chapter. The first step was to review the length and breadth of our work to ensure that we’re providing high-quality services for our clients, whilst also nurturing and supporting resilient and sustainable businesses across Wales.

In light of the review, this strategic plan outlines our purpose, our vision and the core principles that will guide our work for the next six years

Purpose

We inspire and nurture enterprising thinking across businesses and communities, building their ability to generate prosperity, from grassroots up.

We help small and large businesses to grow and prosper whilst supporting and encouraging people to set up new, innovative businesses. We achieve this across Wales by providing high-quality tailored services, and by utilising our staff’s expertise, our physical presence across the country as well as our partnerships and contacts in industry and government.

Vision

A prosperous Welsh economy driven by a movement of thriving businesses that stand confidently alongside the world’s best.

By providing first-class business support, we will inspire and support people to set up and run successful, innovative, and ambitious businesses. These successful businesses will lead to sustainable economic growth in Wales, raising standards of living, creating cohesive communities, and protecting the environment.

Core Principles

Our work and services are all based on the following core principles:

Nurturing Innovation

We’re ambitious, passionate and we inspire others by offering creative, practical and sustainable high-quality solutions.

Working Dynamically

We’re daring and progressive; we’re enthusiastic and we adapt positively to ever-changing markets and opportunities.

Making a Difference

We put people at the heart of our work and ensure long term change by working in a purposeful and inclusive way.

How we work

The way we work is shaped by the sustainable development principle of the Well-being of Future Generational (Wales) Act 2015. We always work in the following way:

Client-focused

We work to establish constructive relationships with businesses, taking time to understand their needs and ambitions, and using our knowledge and contacts to help them find solutions. We always want the best for our clients and go the extra mile to help them innovate, develop and grow.

Collaborative

We always work with others when it brings added value for our clients and open doors to new markets or expertise.

Sustainable

We look beyond direct outputs and focus on the long-term solutions and effects of our work. We use our resources effectively and proportionally to plan and deliver.

Welsh

We’re rooted in Wales and we’re passionate about the Welsh language and our country’s culture. We use and promote the use of the Welsh language every day, and we also promote the brand and businesses of Wales.

Committing to excellence and continuous learning

We’re committed to taking any steps that will lead to positive change within our company; to make out workplace more effective and efficient. We believe that our ability to work effectively is based on the following:

team meeting at board with post it notes

Governance

We act on principle and aim to always uphold the highest professional and moral standards. We regularly evaluate and update our structures and ways of working and have developed rigorous and transparent governing systems which means that we have strong guidelines in place for conduct and decision-making. Looking to the future we will develop a method of working that strives towards sustainability, inclusivity and economic growth.

People

We know that our success relies on our most valuable asset: our people, our staff. It’s our people that come up with ideas, solve problems, make decision and recognise opportunities to improve the company. We’re committed to giving development opportunities for staff to ensure that our workforce not only has strong skills, but also practical experience in their field of work. A diverse, pan-Wales workforce will also be key as we support the growth of businesses and clients.

Technology

Our aim is to embed digital technology throughout our company, and in doing so changing fundamentally how we work and provide services to our clients. We will do this by continually challenging the norm and experimenting with new and different techniques to become a more effective and efficient company. We’re eager to develop the skills, systems and people needed to adapt to future trends and technological developments.

Image

As we set strong foundations for Wales’s future economy, it’s important that we also strengthen our company’s image. Ensuring a positive external image and perception amongst the public, our clients, visitors and stakeholders is essential to growth. We will strengthen our company’s image, raise brand awareness, and confidently represent the business community to influence future support.

Strategic Context

Over the next six years many global factors will affect Wales’ society and economy. Some developments will offer exciting opportunities for people and businesses across Wales while others will present challenges.

Here are some developments that could affect businesses, and therefore our work:

Socio-economic

An ageing population, which has repercussions in terms of the potential workforce’s size and skillset.

Uncertain economic conditions as we experience the fallout of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, global political tensions, inflation and high interest rates.

Technological

Technology is a tool that can transform the way businesses operate, reducing costs, improving productivity, offering access to new markets, and improving the customer experience

We don’t yet know the full implications of the development of Artificial Intelligence, but it’s likely to present opportunities and challenges for businesses

The need and competition for technologically skilled staff is likely to increase

Environmental

Environmental factors are increasingly coming to the fore and influencing the decisions and actions of people and businesses

The agriculture, food and drink production, and green energy are all key sectors in Wales’ economy and are recognised as sectors that can play a crucial part in tackling climate change

Language

It’s possible that public bodies will need to ensure that all their staff can work through the medium of Welsh

Political

Welsh Government under increasing financial pressure and therefore must prioritise, potentially in fields that are not relevant to our work

A reduction in public money available for business and community support

A substantial reduction in the financial support available for rural communities and businesses

Inspiring: Releasing Wales’ enterprising spirit