In a nutshell, business mentors can help you develop your ideas for business knowledge and growth by sharing their skills, expertise, experience and contacts.
You may already be working with a mentor, however, if you are ‘in the market’ for a mentor then this feature gives practical advice on finding the right person for you and your business.
It’s often said that a good mentor should be like a ‘critical friend’ but what does that actually mean? Here are some important questions to consider…..
TOP TEN QUESTIONS TO FIND THE RIGHT MENTOR
- Has the mentor even owned/managed his/her own business?
- Is the mentor well connected/networked?
- Is the mentor aware of the latest business grants/loans and finance initiatives?
- Will the mentor hold you accountable for the actions that he/she suggests?
- Does the mentor have a proven track record of success? (E.g. with client case studies)
- How accessible is your mentor? (E.g. face-to-face, Skype, telephone, email?)
- Will the mentor set realistic and ambitious goals for you?
- Does the mentor share your vision – for both your business and its industry?
- How ‘innovative’ is the mentor?
- Does the mentor have access to co-mentors with specialist and complementary skill sets?
