How to Find a Business Mentor
Take heed of whom you choose., Find someone who is very experienced in business., Find someone who has the time to spend with you., Look to the top., Look at companies., Visit a government sponsored business bureau., Use the people who will be...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Take heed of whom you choose.
When you have a new business idea, be circumspect.
Don't go around telling lots of people about it or your idea might be stolen.
In selecting a mentor, be sure that this person is trustworthy and has no reason to undermine your attempts at starting out.
More than this, be sure to choose someone who is positive, upbeat, and motivating.
There is nothing more off-putting than someone whose negativity about your proposals! Ignore the naysayers, those who provide the figures of failed businesses; that's negativity you can do without. -
Step 2: Find someone who is very experienced in business.
The mentor must be good at running a business inside out, from the bottom to the top.
Your mentor should have at least 10 years experience in the business field and have a track record that shines.
Note how this person has overcome failures too; if they bounced back and did even better, this person is ideal! , It's no good bagging a great mentor only to never see him or her.
Check straight away if they can spare a couple of hours a week for a month or two to sit down together and run through all of the issues.
Always be prepared to shout them coffee, a meal, etc. because this person is doing you an enormous favor.
If they seek payment from you, that's fine too; negotiate a fair deal and include as part of your start-up costs – view it as insurance for the security of the future business. , While you won't be able to access the Richard Bransons and Estee Lauders of the world unless you've got personal friendships with them, you can learn from their experiences.
There are many books, online resources and articles written by high level business people who can inspire and motivate your, as well as revealing the pitfalls and success strategies that they have experienced. , The stories of successful companies are well worth reading.
They are not always about one dominant personality but are often a combination of leadership and great team skills.
How this achieved is an important lesson to avail yourself of as you aim to build up good staff in your company.
The company that's always cited as an incredible success story is that of Southwest Airlines but there are many other good ones out there too – look at Fortune's top companies for ideas of which to research. , Such places can provide an enormous range of great information to help you learn about starting a business and they often have free advisers available to talk you through government laws, business ideas, the dos and don'ts, etc. , Your accountant and your lawyer will prove good mentors if you ask them for help.
They also tend to know other people to refer you to for more detailed advice in specific areas. , More general business mentoring can be found in the form of joining organizations relevant to your particular business.
You will benefit from networking, from seminars, from dinner events, guest speakers, etc. and might even be able to tap into an advice line if one is offered.
Think outside the square too – business can be extra challenging for women, so this can be a huge source of help, so if you are a businesswoman, consider joining a women's professional network of support. -
Step 3: Find someone who has the time to spend with you.
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Step 4: Look to the top.
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Step 5: Look at companies.
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Step 6: Visit a government sponsored business bureau.
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Step 7: Use the people who will be helping your business as a source of mentors.
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Step 8: Use professional resources.
Detailed Guide
When you have a new business idea, be circumspect.
Don't go around telling lots of people about it or your idea might be stolen.
In selecting a mentor, be sure that this person is trustworthy and has no reason to undermine your attempts at starting out.
More than this, be sure to choose someone who is positive, upbeat, and motivating.
There is nothing more off-putting than someone whose negativity about your proposals! Ignore the naysayers, those who provide the figures of failed businesses; that's negativity you can do without.
The mentor must be good at running a business inside out, from the bottom to the top.
Your mentor should have at least 10 years experience in the business field and have a track record that shines.
Note how this person has overcome failures too; if they bounced back and did even better, this person is ideal! , It's no good bagging a great mentor only to never see him or her.
Check straight away if they can spare a couple of hours a week for a month or two to sit down together and run through all of the issues.
Always be prepared to shout them coffee, a meal, etc. because this person is doing you an enormous favor.
If they seek payment from you, that's fine too; negotiate a fair deal and include as part of your start-up costs – view it as insurance for the security of the future business. , While you won't be able to access the Richard Bransons and Estee Lauders of the world unless you've got personal friendships with them, you can learn from their experiences.
There are many books, online resources and articles written by high level business people who can inspire and motivate your, as well as revealing the pitfalls and success strategies that they have experienced. , The stories of successful companies are well worth reading.
They are not always about one dominant personality but are often a combination of leadership and great team skills.
How this achieved is an important lesson to avail yourself of as you aim to build up good staff in your company.
The company that's always cited as an incredible success story is that of Southwest Airlines but there are many other good ones out there too – look at Fortune's top companies for ideas of which to research. , Such places can provide an enormous range of great information to help you learn about starting a business and they often have free advisers available to talk you through government laws, business ideas, the dos and don'ts, etc. , Your accountant and your lawyer will prove good mentors if you ask them for help.
They also tend to know other people to refer you to for more detailed advice in specific areas. , More general business mentoring can be found in the form of joining organizations relevant to your particular business.
You will benefit from networking, from seminars, from dinner events, guest speakers, etc. and might even be able to tap into an advice line if one is offered.
Think outside the square too – business can be extra challenging for women, so this can be a huge source of help, so if you are a businesswoman, consider joining a women's professional network of support.
About the Author
Justin Lopez
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow DIY projects tutorials.
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