Nowadays, being an ambitious entrepreneur who runs their own successful business is a very daunting task. Sometimes novice business owners (and even more experienced ones) need advice from well-regarded peers and business mentors. However, knowing who to ask for help, how, and where to find this are delicate matters. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of traits that any great mentor should possess and some tips to help you find the right one.
1. Nurture a collaborative relationship
Nurturing collaboration is essential in all areas of business. For example, as opposed to a solitary one, collaborative design process is known to increase innovation significantly, with greater access to other skill sets and viewpoints. In the same way, when choosing a mentor, select somebody proactive with different strengths from your own to maximize your learning potential.
2. Look for experience
Your ideal mentor should have a proven track record, mentoring other CEOs and running their own business. However, it’s crucial not to overlook someone who doesn’t fit this precise description or may not even work in your industry. For example, suppose you sell sporting apparel online and want to improve your sales leadership. In that case, you could contact an experienced sales manager, even if they work in the eCommerce electronics industry.
3. Be your own person
Although it’s vital to nurture a collaborative relationship so that your mentor is actively involved in various areas throughout your company, you should look for somebody that allows you to make your own decisions. You do not want a mentor that oversteps boundaries and tries to run your company for you, do you?
It’s equally critical that you take their advice with a grain of salt. What may have worked for them in the past may not work for you now. Remember that you should have the ultimate say on what to do within your company. Learning to invest in yourself and trust your instincts is one of the most significant hacks that make CEOs successful that you could pick up from a mentor.
4. Take up networking opportunities
Nowadays, Internet solutions like webinar platforms allow business owners the opportunity to attend traditional networking events like business meetups and local marketplaces online. Additionally, sites like LinkedIn offer excellent opportunities to find your perfect business mentor.
All you need are great social skills, a stable Internet connection, a high-quality webcam, and a reliable video conferencing software program. If you’re serious about attending webinars, you should consider online meeting software: how your business can benefit from web and video conferencing tools.
5. Go remote
During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has established itself as the new mainstream for many companies across industries. Thanks to the implementation of video chat apps, opportunities like employee training via video conferencing are abundant. Well, this same concept applies to mentoring. If you’re open to remote mentoring, you’ll be more likely to find more candidates, as this option is accessible to everyone globally.
Selecting the remote route will therefore multiply your chances of finding the perfect business mentor. All you need is a computer and high-quality teleconferencing software to make it possible.
6. Find someone willing to make time for you
When looking for your ideal mentor, it’s important that they are willing to make time for you. Availability is key if you want to develop a real connection with your mentor. There’s no point contacting a highly in-demand and successful mentor if they’re going to be too busy to make time for you.
Lastly, if you decide to go with the remote option (and you should), keep the practicalities, like different time zones, in mind when it comes to your mentor’s availability.
7. Be worth mentoring
Up until this point, we’ve covered the details that make a great mentor and how to find one. But if you want to find your perfect business mentor, you should make sure that you’re ready to be mentored first.
To become the best mentee possible and go from start-up to success story, you should equip yourself with all the tools necessary to develop a great mentoring relationship. This means giving your mentor some goals and KPIs so that you can “help them help you”. To enable your mentor to better understand your company’s performance, you should opt for a business intelligence solution. This type of software often includes features like data visualization and live data reporting that will be instrumental in communicating your business’s workings efficiently to your new mentor.
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