You can watch the MentorMagic video here Video made and sponsored by
What is MentorMagic? 
Are you serious about business growth? Have you the confidence to put priceless advice into practice? Those who presented in MentorMagic's first year have reported back a dramatic improvement in business with one participant saying that her business grew in turnover by over 1,000% between February and December 2006. Presenting has become a much sought-after opportunity for people - and we want to make sure that opportunity goes to those who will make the most of it.
Our panel will consist of up to 5 successful business entrepreneurs who will give helpful tips and advice as well as inviting input from our business audience. Panellists for Heat 2 included Colin Potter (Chairman), Proposal Genie and previous owner of Uniworld Communications, Denise Bryant, IT Software and Services Enterpreneur and Nigel Taylor, Taylor Made Computer Solutions - profiles can be found below
A '"Where are we Now" session was presented by previous participant Bob Evans of TestIT
Our Business Masterclass was delivered by Taylor Made Computer Solutions
The remaining 2008 heat will be held at the University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building on the 4 September commencing at 5.30pm with networking and will include a buffet supper.
July 9th, September 4th, Finals 6th November
Heat Two Winner Announced
Congratulations to Jackie Poole of JPA Ltd who was declared the winner in a very close run contest. Jackie now goes on to the final on the 6 November.
She has recently relaunched her website http://www.jackie-pool-associates.co.uk/
Jackie said: "I was delighted to be named as the winner of heat 2 of MentorMagic last night and really enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you very much for hosting this wonderful event - apart from the opportunities that winning the heat has given me, I gained a great deal of information and valuable advice."
The other presenters for Heat 2 on the 9th July were:
Four Paws Aqua - http://www.fourpawsaqua.co.uk/
Boatcare UK Ltd - http://www.boatcareuk.com/
Who Made Your Pants? - http://www.whomadeyourpants.co.uk/
What people have said about MentorMagic
- Dear MentorMagic team, thanks so much for all you did last night - I had several very positive comments from people; those who had been before said it was the best ever, by far. Working with the Chamber has made it a much better offering, and I look forward to working with you on the remaining heats and dinner, so that it becomes as high profile as it deserves. Lizz Clarke, LCM
- Thank-you for the great opportunity that MentorMagic provided us with last night. We picked up some great insights through this forum and it deserves its continued success. I would be grateful if you could forward this email to the members of the panel and the people involved from the Chamber to pass on our thanks. Kind regards, Steven Mason, The Green Store.
- Went to MentorMagic last night and was very impressed with the whole evening. The evening was well organised and the presentations were very impressive; all of the feedback and suggestions given by the panel and audience were very constructive and I am not sure where else you could learn this information. Very well done to all those involved in putting this together. I look forward to the next one in July. The Disc Directory.
- I thought last night was a great evening and very informative and engaging. Well done. Nick Harland, Flagship Training.
- I would take this opportunity to recommend all business owners and entrepreneurs to get involved in Mentor Magic and also say a big 'thank you' to both you and Colin for your support and encouragement.
- We are now taking 1.5 million calls a year - turnover has increased dramatically and we are now enjoying healthy profits. It is now our belief that no business can rely on taking the risk of a customer phoning back if they don't get through on the first try. Last month we took 40,000 overflow calls for the motor industry and we have now launched an outbound campaign for vehicle MOT and service bookings, which has taken off with a successful start. Change does take time, but implementation of Mentor Magic advice is the key. Neil Murphy, Armchair
How to Partcipate 
1) Apply to present your business to our panel - dates for 2009 will be announced but to express your interest e-mail jane.nash@chamber.org.uk
2) Come along as part of our business audience - take advantage of the expert advice on offer on the evening including a Business Masterclass and benefit from quality advice and tips from those who have grown a successful business. MentorMagic also provides a great opportunity for networking with a range of other businesses - to book visit the event area of this website or e-mail sue.shilcock@chamber.org.uk. Places cost £25 inc VAT including buffet supper with reductions available for multiple bookings.
3) Be a MentorMagic Sponsor and raise your profile amongst a business audience - e-mail maureen.frost@chamber.org.uk for details
Heats 1 & 2 sponsored by:
Taylor Made Computer Solutions
Taylor Made Computer Solutions is one of the region's best known companies; it's fleet of smartly-liveried vehicles seem to be everywhere - and its more than just an image. The company is famed for its superb customer service delivered by and 80-strong workforce of highly-motivated, clever people. Nigel Taylor is Managing Director and co-founded Taylor Made with the company's Finance Director Alison Taylor. Taylor Made is listed at number 8 in the recent Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For.
The overall programme is supported and sponsored by:
LCM - Logical Creative Marketing
University of Portsmouth Business School & Purple Door
DocumentGenie
Our Panellists
Nigel Taylor - Managing Director, Taylor Made Computer Solutions
Nigel co-founded Taylor Made with his wife Alison in 1994. Company details as above. From start up to a successful going concern, and a track record going back 14 years, makes Nigel well qualified to pass on valuable business advice.
Denise Bryant - UK Services Director, Magirus UK
Denise has been in IT sales and marketing for over 23 years, gaining a wide variety of experience and expertise working for ICL for many years then latterly with several smaller IT companies. Denise formed her own IT software and services company, Integritis, in 2002. In an industry which is overburdened with many small IT companies all offering broadly similar services, Denise knew that to succeed it was vital that she define and promote the unique Value Proposition and key differentiators that Integritis offered. By clearly identifying a target market, creating a strong Company brand, precisely articulating the business pains that the Integritis total solution would alleviate, developing a strong team and carefully aligning Integritis with the leading vendors, Integritis grew to become uniquely lauded by the clients and also the major vendors. This success resulted in Integritis being acquired late in 2005 by Magirus GmbH, a pan-European IT Distributor with a turnover in excess of €500m. Denise has the happy knack of being able to quickly identify your sales proposition and offers sound, practical advice in the clearest of terms.
Colin Potter
Colin went from financial meltdown in 1995 to financial success when he sold Uniworld Communications in 2004. In the 8 years from 1996 he grew Uniworld from start up, without any financial backing, to a turnover of £24million. In 2004, he started Document Genie with three colleagues. It now sells its products to FTSE250 companies and international corporations. Colin is involved in two other businesses, one a new start up, as well as mentoring several other business owners. He is also a board member and trustee of Fareham-based charity, The Rainbow Centre. He has experience of what it takes to succeed and especially the problems and growing pains of small companies. He dispenses frank advice in the clearest of terms.
Registered office: Regional Business Centre, Harts Farm Way, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1HR| Company No. 17877 | tel: 023 9244 9449 fax: 023 9244 9444