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Do you need a mentor?

Guest post by: Rene Truter

Article Overview: When it comes to finding accurate information about starting or running a business, it can be hard to know who to ask or where to look. Reading the articles on this website are a very good place to start, but it can be even more valuable to find an expert who can give you face-to-face advice.

Do you need a mentor?

As an entrepreneur, it's important that you establish a "database" of information sources that can help you run your business effectively. This could be other small business owners with some 'years in the game', conferences and workshops, credible websites relevant to your industry and a range of other sources.

All of the above are important points of reference, but when you have identified specific problem areas or challenges you can't seem to resolve on your own, it may just be time to seek the advice of a business mentor.

What exactly is a mentor?

In general terms, a mentor is an experienced (usually older) person who guides another person's development in his or her education or career. In the context of a small business, a mentor would be someone who helps you gain more experience in the various areas of running a successful business.

A mentor should give you ideas, offer potential solutions to problems and help you set goals for your business, without actually doing it for you. Essentially, he or she is a teacher rather than merely a consultant. This means you should be open to listening and learning.

Advantages of having a mentor

• If you can't afford expensive and often time-consuming training courses, a mentor will often provide his service at no cost to you. He is also able to provide that all-important on-the-job training
• With a wealth of experience behind him, a mentor can act as someone you can turn to for professional, objective advice and guidance
• With the help of an experienced mentor, you can avoid making common mistakes by being pro-active in identifying potential problems, and implement solutions that have proven successful in his or her experience
• A mentor can give you hands-on training in their area of expertise and be available for questions as and when issues come up

Being an entrepreneur is challenging enough without having to go it alone. Don't wait until your business is in trouble before asking for help. Find a suitable mentor and allow them to bring out your best.

Copyright© 2010 Business Partners Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Article Tags: mentor, running a business



Related Forum Posts
Do you have a Mentor? - I have had mentor/mentee relationships throughout my academic and work career. As an entrepreneur I've yet to find a good match for a mentor in my field of business but am always on the lookout. I was wondering for all the young entrepreneurs out there; do you have a mentor?
The Value of Mentoring - Successful mentor pairings (in case there was any doubt as to the value of mentoring): 1. André Ouellet (President, Canada Post) mentor to Mark Whalen (Urban Organics and winner, Young Entrepreneur Award) 2. Marc Lefrançois (President, Via Rail Canada) mentor to Jeffrey Campbell (Core Networks, Inc. and winner, Young Entrepreneur Award) 3. Donald Kendall (former CEO of PepsiCo) mentor to John Scully (former CEO of Apple) 4. Harland Sanders (the Colonel) mentor to Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy's) 5. Stuart Friend (KMart manager) mentor to Wayne Sales (CEO of Canadian Tire) 6. Jim Rohn (author, motivational speaker) mentor to Anthony Robbins (author, motivational speaker) 7. Robert Patterson (CEO, National Cash Register) mentor to Thomas Watson (founder of IBM) 8. Henri-Paul Rosseau (President, Laurentian Bank of Canada) mentor to isabel Rodriquez and Yves Besner (i4design and winners, Young Entrepreneur Award)
Go out and get a mentor - This thread hasn't been discussed for about two months, and I'm surprised because it seems like excellent advice. Most people just starting out in business need a mentor - whether it's one or both of their parents who've run businesses of their own, a teacher or college professor, or even just a friend. Even if a person doesn't need help with the busness aspects, they might need to learn how to handle money - if they've never had a lot before, how to handle people, etc. So everyone should look for a mentor - someone who wants to be a mentor, of course!
Re: Simple Idea - Great Advice. - Thanks for the offer Cheryl. I agree with you that a mentor is important especially when first starting out. If it wasn't for the mentor I have I would not have been around for very long in the internet marketing business. Without her help I would not have survived at all. MichelleJ
Re: On Mentors - [quote="jvprosperity":2v0r5y3z]I've been blessed by having mentors naturally come into my life but if I wanted to approach one how would I go about developing the relationship and then asking them to mentor me?[/quote:2v0r5y3z] Hi Andy, From my past experiences, I find that mentors just gradually take you under their wing. I've never had to formally ask any of them to "mentor" me. For example, in "The Little Black Book of Connections", Jeffrey Gitomer says "Some of them actually want to help you and will take pleasure in helping you, as long as they feel you are both worthy and trustworthy. In other words, deserving" (pg 9). At the end of the day, the best way to get a mentor is to nurture your connections through mutual value exchange.


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