A young entrepreneur tends to be full of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. Channelizing this energy in the right direction is what a mentor would do. An experienced person, who has devoted many years to entrepreneurship or understands the journey that you are on, is the right person to mentor you.
Even if you hold a degree in entrepreneurship or have amassed considerable knowledge, you will still need a mentor's help. Since an organization goes through many challenges at each step, a mentor will guide you, advise you, and offer support in many ways.
It is important to find a mentor who understands your business goals and vision. The mentor should have sufficient experience and should be able to align with your organization's vision.
What You Get from a Mentor
A mentor is more experienced than you, loaded with skills and knowledge. To get the best from the mentorship, you need to prepare yourself to absorb the advice and guidance. You will gain from the mentorship in the following ways:
- Experience plays a broader role in entrepreneurship. With the mentor's experience, you gain tremendously.
- You can sail through the challenges effortlessly with a mentor's advice at crucial times.
- If you are experiencing a bottleneck, a mentor's specific problem-solving skills with help you.
- You directly benefit from the mentor's network, a great tool to enhance your business.
- With a mentor's support, you can take the plunge you always dreaded.
Where to Find a Mentor?
Before you engage with a mentor, make sure that he/she has the experience in the area where you lag and has the requisite skills and knowledge you need. How do you find such a mentor who is compatible and aligned with your needs? There are many ways to find the right mentor for your organization. Let's discover:
Mentorship Programs
Join one to specifically scout for mentors of your choice. There are several mentorship programs available that you can join after thorough research. Once you are part of a mentorship program, you can decide on the best mentor for your enterprise by checking compatibility and aligning your needs with her.
Nonprofit Organizations
There are many organizations that help entrepreneurs connect with an experienced mentor. SCORE in the US is a nonprofit organization connecting entrepreneurs to volunteer mentors. With 300 chapters across the US, it is easy to find one near you or virtually. In case you do not want to invest in mentorship in the initial stages, nonprofits could be your best bet.
Meetups
Once you take up the entrepreneurial journey, you will join many networking platforms. We are talking here specifically about real events. There are many events related to your industry that you can join. Once you start participating, you will be able to meet prospective mentors. Communicate more to know about alignment, experience, knowledge, and compatibility.
Online Mentor Platforms
Available at your fingertip, online mentor platforms can give you a wide reach. You can get connected to the mentor of your choice through audio, video, chat, and other tools. Just like now, we are moving online for so many business needs, and online mentoring may emerge as the next game-changer. With the internet, an entrepreneur can access mentors in any part of the world. GrowthMentor, MentorPass, and MicroMentor are some of the popular online mentorship programs.
Personal Network
Revisit your professional connections and friends and connect to check for references. You might just come across a great mentor who can be your guiding light. While exploring, you might come across a former boss, a professor, or a co-worker who can be the mentor you have been looking for.
End Thoughts
An outside guide in the form of a mentor is an absolute must for an entrepreneur. Sometimes, an experienced person outside the organization's sphere is best to give unbiased advice. With her specific experience, the mentor will add value to your organization by making you choose the best projects, apply for necessary certifications, and suggest training programs.
A mentor is your best resource in case a conflict arises, either within the organization or outside. As an entrepreneur, you would not like to spend your unnecessary time or energy resolving many contrasting situations. The priority would be to determine them as fast as possible. A mentor with his seasoned approach, tons of experience, and practical wisdom will be your go-to person.
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