IMPORTANCE OF MENTORSHIP IN SMES USING BENIN CITY AS A CASE STUDY

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Abstract
This study examines the impact of mentorship programs on the success of small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Benin City, To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the study surveyed Osa-RT ventures and Edo choice transport limited, located in Benin city. The researcher adopted questionnaire in collecting relevant i formation for the study, the analysis is based on responses from 49 participants out of the 50 questionnaires distributed, resulting in a 98% response rate. The study highlight key factors that contribute to effective mentorship and the challenges SMEs face in accessing these programs. The research employs a quantitative approach, analyzing data through Pearson correlation coefficients. Findings indicate a strong positive correlation between access to mentorship and SME success (r = 0.471, p < 0.01), demonstrating that mentorship significantly enhances business performance. Additionally, successful mentorship relationships are influenced by factors such as goal alignment, regular communication, and mentor expertise (r = 0.297, p < 0.05). However, SMEs face challenges in accessing mentorship due to lack of awareness, difficulty in finding suitable mentors, and financial constraints (r = 0.505, p < 0.01). The study further establishes that improving mentorship access correlates with better SME performance (r = 0.645, p < 0.01). Based on these findings, recommendations include It is important to improve awareness of mentorship programs through targeted outreach and marketing, Mentorship programs should be designed to ensure clear goal alignment and facilitate regular communication between mentors and mentees and Mentorship programs should be customized to meet the specific needs and constraints of SMEs.
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