February 7, 2015
How Businesses Benefit From Mentors
Starting and running a business can be one of the most exciting and stressful times in the life of an entrepreneur. There are all sorts of things to consider from niche, to finance, staffing and even where the business will be based. Staying on top of things isn’t easy. This is where the role of a mentor comes in handy.
What do mentors do for businesses?
A mentor is a seasoned and successful businessperson. Choosing a mentor depends on the needs of the company. So assess your situation. Are you in need of financial expertise or direction with your marketing? Deciding on the areas of your business idea that need the most work will help you to a) make the right choice and b) get the most out of your mentorship.
Business mentors are on hand to encourage, inspire and motivate. Accountability in business is a great thing to spur entrepreneurs on to meet their goals. A mentor will sit down with you and look at your business and ideas from an objective perspective. Next, there will be an element of troubleshooting. Be prepared for constructive criticism. Remember that they are there to help you. Next, you put together a bespoke plan. No business problem is solved, without some sort of strategy. A mentor will not only help you to come up with the plan but will also guide you in implementing it (if you need a business mentor in Hertfordshire, give us a call!)
Do I need a business mentor?
If you have a seed of an idea but don’t know what you should do next, you will benefit from a business mentor.
Businesses can benefit from mentors, even when they are set up and running smoothly. Mentors don’t always come on board at the beginning of a business; they can be appointed at any time.
Working with a mentor can help your business to grow and expand. You may have started alone but are now ready to move on to the next stage of growth. Expansion, employment and even implement new ideas can usually do with the help of a mentor who has been there and done that.
What do mentors have to offer?
Working with a business mentor means that you can solve all sorts of different problems in your business. You may need guidance with funding. Maybe you’re not sure of how to work the logistical day-to-day running of your business. A mentor can help you with this.
Mentors bring years of experience. Something that may look like a major problem to a businessperson who is just starting out may look minor to a mentor who has already been in that situation and overcome it.
Working with a mentor also brings a wealth of knowledge. They will have learnt things that you may need in the future. You can also learn from their mistakes. Any successful entrepreneur will have made a few mistakes along the way. If they can see that you’re headed for
Successfully working with a mentor
There are a few key habits to practise, when working with a mentor:
- Be responsive. A great working relationship will take good communication from both parties. Be respectful of your mentor’s time and respond in a timely fashion to their correspondence.
- Be proactive. The best results come when you put their advice into action. Never stop generating ideas for your business. Take them to your mentor for feedback. It makes the whole process much more enjoyable and productive.
- Stay enthusiastic. It can be difficult to hear where there are improvements to be made in your business and ideas but keep the end goal in mind: success. Remind yourself of your goals.
Famous entrepreneurs and their mentors
The likes of Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerburg are all successful business people who count their mentors as integral parts of their personal development. We all know that no success is made overnight and it’s mentors behind-the-scenes that see the potential in an individual or business and help to drive that forward.
Time to find a mentor
DAA Consulting offer excellent business mentoring packages which are free and tremendously benefit people who are thinking of starting from their business. There is no one-size-fits all approach to business mentoring. Businesses can expect tailored advice face-to-face meetings and even a set of telephone conferences. If you are looking for a business mentor in Hertfordshire or even further afield, DAA Consulting can accommodate your needs.
Business mentoring can help to find solutions, set attainable goals and create streamlined strategies; the aim is to improve on existing businesses and to see new businesses reach their full potential in all areas.