International brokering, business mentoring and professional services
Smarter Limited
London, United Kingdom
Ken J. Davey, Founder & Managing Director

Smarter Business Mentoring

Welcome to
Smarter Business Mentoring

Sharing our business experience to support and encourage individuals to grow, develop and succeed.
Government figures have suggested that 70 per cent of small businesses that receive mentoring survive for five years or more, which is double the rate compared with non-mentored entrepreneurs and are 20 per cent more likely to experience growth.
WHAT WE DO

Ken J. Davey is the Founder & Managing Director of Smarter Business Mentoring. Ken was previously an Executive Team Member and the London Regional Head of the Association of Business Mentors and, ABM Regional Head of the Year 2019. More recently, Ken was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for outstanding commitment to the University College London Mentorship Programme.


Smarter draws on extensive commercial and financial knowledge, and experience from Corporate and SME operations, to support and encourage business managers and owners to grow, develop and succeed in their sphere of business. As such, we help mentees find the right direction and develop robust solutions, to maximise their business potential and improve their business performance.


For more information, click for a copy of Smarter’s Mentoring Guides:

OUR SERVICES
Smarter business mentors share knowledge and life experiences, focusing not just on business competency, but also on helping to shape business managers and owners' character, values, self-awareness, empathy and, capacity for respect.

Our areas of specialisation include:
Growth
  • Start-up & Expansion
  • International Growth
  • Succession Planning
Sales
  • Sales Strategy
  • Business Development
  • Relationship Management
Strategy & Planning
  • Business Strategy
  • Business Planning
  • Goal Setting
Human Resources
  • Leadership
  • Building Teams
  • Managing People
Marketing
  • Finding New Markets
  • Taking New Products to Market
  • Marketing Strategy
Finance & Administration
  • Accounting
  • Change Management
  • Purchasing
OUR CLIENTS
Working on a discreet basis with only a few clients at any one time, is key to Smarter’s strategy.

Smarter is currently providing mentoring services to University College London (Innovation and Enterprise)  entrepreneurs. Students and staff at UCL generate amazing ideas, technologies and discoveries. Working with their business mentors and innovation partners, they are able to achieve this aim.

Smarter recently provided mentoring services to the “Innovating for Growth" programme - run by the British Library Business & IP Centre. The programme is a European Regional Development Fund funded scheme to support Innovating for Growth Start-ups in their early stage business development.

Smarter has previously been designated as an approved provider of business mentoring and international business advice services to:

European Bank of Reconstruction and Development - providing advice and industry expertise in finance, business growth, finding new customers & markets, sales & marketing, setting up in business and, taking new products or services to market, to small and medium-sized businesses in 35 countries.

Virgin Start Up - helping entrepreneurs with the resources and advice needed to make their business idea a reality. The main focus is to offer the help and support needed to turn a great idea into a successful and sustainable business.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“Ken had a genuine deep interest in me becoming a better business person. Not only was he always punctual for our meetings, but he was also incredibly flexible and understanding when it came to rescheduling. His exceptional organisational skills ensured that every session was productive and focused despite my shortcomings. What sets him apart is his unwavering dedication to researching my industry, going the extra mile to provide me with invaluable insights and resources. He gave me tools and feedback that have been instrumental in helping me develop a comprehensive business plan, covering everything from my ‘why’ to smart goals, competitive advantage, and financial models granting me lifetime access to these valuable resources. Most importantly, his authenticity and humility shine through in every interaction, making my mentorship journey with him a truly fulfilling one... Every entrepreneur needs a Ken!”

Lesley Bongajum, Founder, BONGA Limited

“One of the many things I enjoyed while being mentored by Ken was his holistic approach to business. Our first session reminded me of my WHY, which was absolutely transformational. Moreover, I am running a highly specialised company and yet Ken understood it fully on a much deeper level than I could have expected from someone who hasn’t specialised in my field. He has helped us reach new heights of organisational management, legal hygiene and strategy. He’s a truly exceptional mentor and I recommend him to anyone who wants to take their company to the next level.”

Zuzanna Kosobudzka, Co-Founder, UPLYFT Ltd

"Over the following months, we achieved a workable business plan, clarity around our mission, aims and objectives over the next three years and, very importantly, what steps we need to take in order to achieve them. We also gained the confidence to go forward with certainty that our business is now based on a solid foundation. Ken was everything you wish from a mentor: feedback, guidance, advice, understanding, motivation and a genuine caring so that my business and I are successful. I cannot thank Ken, enough for his time, patience and expertise in the area of business, it was priceless."

Elaine Powell, Founder, Elaine Powell Growth & Development Ltd

“Ken had great insight and understanding, during what was a complicated and pivotal period for us. His council was offered from a place of authenticity and without ego, which is rare to find. He has a fantastic armoury of personal development knowledge and has given us ongoing access to many of these tools. Due to the nature of our business (events), we have a lot of last-minute commitments; but he was super flexible with meeting times and rescheduling – again, operating without ego. Integrity is key in a mentor; Ken follows up on all commitments to us in a timely and professional manner and has stayed in touch since. We recommend him to anyone looking for solid business advice, a direct approach and more importantly one of the good guys!”

Stuart Groves, Co-Founder, Shout About London Ltd

“I recently completed a six-course series. Ken had carefully structured each session, making it relevant to my professional goals, objectives and my business. This has been a very valuable use of my time and resource. The process has led me to consider and now implement improvements in the strategy and running of my business. I found Ken to be approachable; prepared to listen; and able to guide me into making relevant, specific decisions to the benefit of my business. I would not hesitate to recommend Ken; his mentoring sessions are time and money very well spent.”

Julian Staples, Managing Director, JS Media Associates Ltd

“Your direct no nonsense approach is just what I need.”
 
Maxine Fox, Founder, M & R Art Consultancy Ltd, and a British Library Business & IP Centre Mentee
CONTRACTS & FEES
Contracts to provide 1:1 mentoring services are usually undertaken on an hourly fee basis for an agreed number of sessions. And remember... your business, or business idea, deserves the very best support – so don't compromise on anything less.

“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Red Adair, American oil well firefighter who found worldwide fame for his expertise.
KEY PROJECTS PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN
Mentored an undergraduate at King’s College London in their final year - helped them find relevant internship placements as part of their Business Management degree. Subsequently worked with them to help them seek gainful employment post graduation.

Acted as a mentor to the business owner of a start-up SME.

Various mentoring experiences with senior and junior colleagues at KPMG.
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