If you are starting a new business venture or have been struggling with your present one, it would be wise to consider business mentoring. Such programmes often offer a MentorMatch program which would aid in achieving your business goals. Many business persons prefer doing everything on their own, though it is high time to let go of thoughts such as those. Associating with a business mentor allows you to define your objectives and outcomes, while working through a composed process identifying where you may fall short. Such a review allows one to develop a step-by-step plan with your mentor in overcoming business obstacles, while at the same time developing fresh ideas to fit in with your new business plan.
An outside perspective - 'can't see the wood for the trees' is an old expression which sums up why business owners need a mentor. When we're in the business every day doing the work it's difficult to step back and take the helicopter view of how things are going. A business mentor can come in and analyse the business as they are not involved every day. They can spot things that the owners cannot see (a bit like never being able to see the salt that's right in front of you on the dinner table).
A mentor should assist in providing you with support and ideas in moving forward. Once your goals and targets have been drawn up, your mentor should help in improving your current systems. For instance if you need help in the financial side of the business, your mentor will assist in drawing up a budget and in planning a financial system that will fit in easily with your business.
Expert knowledge - most owner/managers worked in the business as a haidresser or architect before starting their own business. They will have picked up other skills along the way but there may be some gaps in their knowledge. Many mentors will have experience of finance, sales, marketing, strategy, HR etc. so they can help plug any knowledge gaps that the owner may have.
A second opinion - quite often business owners know what to do or have a good idea of the next step but they are not 100% convinced that it's the way to go, so they don't proceed. Discussing it with a mentor often helps them realise that it's the right move and it gives them the confidence to go ahead. Being in business can be a lonely place and it may be difficult to discuss things with staff or a partner or friends.especially in tough economic times, it can be difficult sometimes to keep motivated. Part of the role of a mentor is to encourage the owner, highlight the positives and reassure them that they have a great business. This can be invaluable support for any business owner.
All good business mentors will be happy to meet with you to talk through your business and mentoring needs. The meeting helps both parties find out if you can work together and create a mutually beneficial outcome. After the meetings go back to your criteria and ask yourself which of the people you have met would help you the most. Ultimately you need to assess this before you look at their costs and timeframes, mentors who charge less likely do so for a reason.
If you randomly decide when you will and won't work, you'll likely spend too much time behind your computer and find that family is suffering or you are not putting in enough time. Keep track of the hours you contribute toward money generating activities in your business and hold yourself accountable. Do this because that's what a home business coach/leader does. You are not in the business of convincing your business partner to stay in the business if they are not putting forth the effort. That's not what I'm talking about. What I am talking about is that most home based business owners do not get adequate support and you, as a home business mentor, will be their breath of fresh air. Remind them of their dreams and their why. Let them know they are not alone in their business and encourage them to reach out to the online community and establish new relationships with like-minded people. Do this because that's what a home business coach/leader does.Don't be afraid to make them work. Do not do the work for them, but certainly it's OK to show them some things and point them to information or resources where they can master what they need to learn. People want confident instructions, good ideas and resources.Let them see you work. Let them see your fresh new content being placed online on a consistent basis. Leading by example has been defined as the best thing you can do as a leader. When they can see you placing ads, participating in the social media platforms, putting up videos, attending seminars, doing webinars, they can see you practice what you preach.
An outside perspective - 'can't see the wood for the trees' is an old expression which sums up why business owners need a mentor. When we're in the business every day doing the work it's difficult to step back and take the helicopter view of how things are going. A business mentor can come in and analyse the business as they are not involved every day. They can spot things that the owners cannot see (a bit like never being able to see the salt that's right in front of you on the dinner table).
A mentor should assist in providing you with support and ideas in moving forward. Once your goals and targets have been drawn up, your mentor should help in improving your current systems. For instance if you need help in the financial side of the business, your mentor will assist in drawing up a budget and in planning a financial system that will fit in easily with your business.
Expert knowledge - most owner/managers worked in the business as a haidresser or architect before starting their own business. They will have picked up other skills along the way but there may be some gaps in their knowledge. Many mentors will have experience of finance, sales, marketing, strategy, HR etc. so they can help plug any knowledge gaps that the owner may have.
A second opinion - quite often business owners know what to do or have a good idea of the next step but they are not 100% convinced that it's the way to go, so they don't proceed. Discussing it with a mentor often helps them realise that it's the right move and it gives them the confidence to go ahead. Being in business can be a lonely place and it may be difficult to discuss things with staff or a partner or friends.especially in tough economic times, it can be difficult sometimes to keep motivated. Part of the role of a mentor is to encourage the owner, highlight the positives and reassure them that they have a great business. This can be invaluable support for any business owner.
All good business mentors will be happy to meet with you to talk through your business and mentoring needs. The meeting helps both parties find out if you can work together and create a mutually beneficial outcome. After the meetings go back to your criteria and ask yourself which of the people you have met would help you the most. Ultimately you need to assess this before you look at their costs and timeframes, mentors who charge less likely do so for a reason.
If you randomly decide when you will and won't work, you'll likely spend too much time behind your computer and find that family is suffering or you are not putting in enough time. Keep track of the hours you contribute toward money generating activities in your business and hold yourself accountable. Do this because that's what a home business coach/leader does. You are not in the business of convincing your business partner to stay in the business if they are not putting forth the effort. That's not what I'm talking about. What I am talking about is that most home based business owners do not get adequate support and you, as a home business mentor, will be their breath of fresh air. Remind them of their dreams and their why. Let them know they are not alone in their business and encourage them to reach out to the online community and establish new relationships with like-minded people. Do this because that's what a home business coach/leader does.Don't be afraid to make them work. Do not do the work for them, but certainly it's OK to show them some things and point them to information or resources where they can master what they need to learn. People want confident instructions, good ideas and resources.Let them see you work. Let them see your fresh new content being placed online on a consistent basis. Leading by example has been defined as the best thing you can do as a leader. When they can see you placing ads, participating in the social media platforms, putting up videos, attending seminars, doing webinars, they can see you practice what you preach.
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