Often business owners can become isolated and too busy to discuss ideas, goals and issues. Mentors are experienced people who have good listening skills and are empathetic. They provide guidance to help the person being mentored to achieve their goals. Mentoring is common in business. Because a business mentor has already experienced the challenges of operating and successfully developing a business, you can receive the following benefits:
You can step back from your business Searells can help you look at the “big picture”, allowing you to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you have missed because you have been too busy.
You will have a sounding board A key role of a mentor is to listen, stimulate and challenge your thinking. By being a sounding board, we may help you develop your own ideas and arrive at your own solutions to your business challenges.
You will receive guidance during a growth phase A successful, growing business brings new challenges. A mentor who has grown a successful business can offer helpful advice, caution against potential pitfalls and instil confidence in your plans.
You have access to wider business networks As a mentor, we can put you in touch with key business people and customers within your industry, opening new doors for your business. We will also refer you to other professional advisers ensuring you obtain the necessary specialist skills and/or advice. As mentors, we are coaches, not consultants, and do not take the place of professionals such as accountants, lawyers or bank managers.
You will be accountable to someone - you are not alone Having a mentor won’t automatically fix all your business challenges. It takes time to implement changes, and you will have to do some hard work to put into practice any suggestions. The knowledge that you will have to tell your mentor when you next meet that you haven’t done what you said you would, may be a helpful motivation.
