As a benefit of your membership, the International Housewares Association would like to offer first time exhibitors access to seasoned industry professionals who can help you with issues relating to launching, growing and managing your business.
There is no charge to your company. Mentors work on a volunteer basis. All communication is confidential. The goal of the program is to nurture new businesses and to enhance their contributions to the industry.
Mentors will be assigned based on a match between your needs and each mentor’s area of expertise.
To enroll in the program, please email Perry Reynolds (preynolds@housewares.org) or Mia Rampersad (mrampersad@housewares.org). Please include a brief description of the greatest challenges you are facing so that we can match you with the mentor that can best address those needs.
Below is a sample list of questions that mentors would be able to help you address:
- What is your mission for the company?
- What are your goals for the company?
- What are your three most important objectives?
- What are the five things that must happen for it to be successful?
- What are the three things that must not happen to be successful?
- What action will be taken to make it happen? How will we do it?
- Who are the key "make it happen people" in your company and are they sold on the plan?
- How will you track and monitor progress?
- How well have you communicated your plan within your company?
- Do you review and update this plan every 3 months?
- Are your investors signed off on your mission, goals and objectives?
- What are your objectives for the International Home + Housewares Show?
- Who are the most important retailers you would like to meet with?
- What are you doing to secure these appointments?
- Do you have a detailed written plan for each retailer target?
- Are you seeking media coverage? Are you prepared to answer questions from the media?
- Have you used the tools available in the Marketing Kit to attract buyers and media?
- What metrics will you use to measure your success at the Show?
- What is your follow up plan for each target retailer meeting?
- What is your follow up plan for those target retailers who did not meet with you?
