10½ ways to grow your business using mentoring
1. Was your New Year’s Resolution to “Spice up your life!”?
Can you relate to any of the following?:
- Things are ticking along nicely but you feel frustrated, your ambition isn't fulfilled.
- You’re not sure where you’re going wrong.
- You’re a bit old to go back to the careers officer for advice.
- You just need a bit of… direction.
- Your partner’s heard it all before and doesn’t share your drive.
Your mates down the pub think you’ve hit a low patch but you’ll work it out – you always do.
Do you need a fresh set of ears who:
- Has the skill and know-how to help you reach your goals?
- Is an independent judge?
A mentor could be the answer. She will provide fresh perspective and generate new ideas.
2. “I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want”
They did tell us and they definitely got what they wanted! Be bold and have a clear picture of what you hope to achieve through mentoring. Think about:
- What you want from your relationship.
- What you want your business to achieve.
- How you will know if you are there, or if you are getting there.
- What the key milestones are that need to be delivered.
Remember, s/he is a mentor, not a mind reader!
Now let’s leave The Spice Girls behind and come up with some non-lyrical headings?
3. Experience is the name of the game
Industry experience isn’t paramount when choosing a mentor. Skills and experience are transferable - don’t be put off if your CVs don’t mirror each other.
Successful people have a multitude of skills, most of which overlap.
4. Trust
Trust is the basis to all good relationships. You visit your dentist because you trust him or her. You wouldn’t let any old person drill into your gums would you?
The trust between you and your mentor will determine the success of the relationship.
It is a confidential relationship; if you don’t feel you can be honest and truthful with your mentor then this particular mentor isn’t for you.
Likewise for the mentor, they need to be able to be truthful with you. It is true what they say…
5. Honesty’s the Best Policy
You might not always like what you hear but keep listening. Mentors are there to help you, not to tell untruths. If they’re saying something that isn’t music to your ears there’s good reason.
Top tip: Change your approach in line with the advice and don’t be defensive!
6. Your Roles are Specific
The mentor’s role is to ask the right questions not give you all the answers. If they gave you all the answers you might as well go and work for them. In being your mentor they are opening up an array of opportunities as to how you can reach your goals. It is up to you to decide which opportunities you take.
7. “Two distinct roles”
Mentor’s role - to facilitate and challenge.
Your role - to make it happen/work.
Your mentor is not there to do the work for you. They’ve been there and done it. That’s why you have asked them to share their experience with you.
8. Implement it
Mentoring should inspire and uplift your approach.
If your sessions are working correctly your actions should be instant because you simply can’t wait to get things moving. You should be brimming with enthusiasm, chomping at the bit.
9. It’s not a race!
You can’t expect results after one session; plan your time carefully, timetable it if necessary.
Depending upon the frequency you’ll need at least 3 months to get lasting effect from your sessions.
Give yourself ample opportunity to put into practice what you have discussed. Leave a week or even two between your meetings. Put new processes in place before you move forward. Trust is the basis to all good relationships.
10. The annual review?
Not just for the end of the year but important to be implemented throughout. Review where you are and ask yourself:
- Are you reaching the milestones you originally set out to achieve?
- Are you meeting often enough or too often?
- Do you feel overwhelmed with the number of changes being made at one time? Mentoring should be to make change for the better. If it’s not working out take control of the situation. If you’re not happy say so.
10½. It’s all about give and take
Within all relationships there’s an element of ‘sharing’ and sharing is good! Helping out with a contact here and there is positive for everyone involved. Take this example:
CODA Studios Ltd, architects & designers, recently commissioned research with Size 10½ Boots. Over the months we’ve got to know each other well and during a chat one afternoon the conversation turned to “wish lists”. It emerged that CODA’s wish would be to collaborate with Wayne Hemmingway.
Now you know the theory, you’re only ever 5 people away from someone you know, well it turned out I had a contact who might well be able to get in touch with Mr Hemingway. A phone call was made, Wayne and CODA have met up, and who knows where their own chats might lead?
And another thing that came out of this…
Wayne Hemingway has shared his shoe size with us. He takes a 7½.
What our clients say about us
Bernard gives a common sense approach and a practical approach. He doesn’t just tell you how to do it, he shows you how to do it.
He has given me an absolute focus on my market, what I am looking for and my branding as well.
Graeme Dixon, Managing Director, Blusource, Recruitment Consultancy
Staff members who went on workshops are certainly more confident about what they need to do to sell the firm’s services.
Martin Rogers, Regional Managing Partner, Mazars Accountants
Famous feet
Harrison Ford
Actor
Shoe size: 12
