By Nyasha Gwatidzo
http://www.findabusinessmentor.com
© 2007
Becoming a business mentor is probably one of
the most rewarding and challenging things that you can do with
your time. Helping those just starting out in business and giving
them your advice from past experiences, building a friendship
and becoming a confidante are just some of the benefits that you
can get from being a mentor.
However on saying all of this, mentoring is not
suitable for everyone and certain criteria needs to be met for
you to get the most out of the experience and for others to benefit
from your past experiences. Perhaps the most important aspect
and quality needed to become a successful business mentor is having
the ability to listen to what others are saying and respect what
they are saying.
You should also be able to sympathise with the
person when needed and be able to relate to the problems and how
they are feeling regarding them. Your ideas and practical advice
is essential but you must remember that you are there to just
give advice and give it honestly. Once you have listened and given
sound advice then it is time to take a back seat and allow the
other to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.
Mentoring is very rewarding without a doubt and
it can be especially so if you are the sounding board for the
small business owner that is just starting out. Here you will
have the chance to advise and grow with the person and the company
and see the difference you are making both to the business and
to the person themselves.
The business mentor should always remember that
their role is to be there for the person, to give advice, support,
to stimulate and help the business to develop while giving the
person some challenge. The ideal business mentor is someone who
has successfully started a small business and had great success
with it.
The basic key skills to becoming a business mentor
are having ability, availability, and empathy for others and a
willingness to help others succeed. The whole point of hiring
a mentor is for the individual to access your wealth of information
and knowledge of business. They will also be looking to you for
one on one feedback during any particular critical stage of their
businesses development and new businesses will be looking to share
your contacts.
If you think you could make a difference to others
in small businesses, then as a start you should pop along to to
our website and sign up for free. Here you will be able to find
great advice about business mentoring and people looking for mentors,
along with a whole host of valuable information, there is also
a community area and FAQ page with answers to many of the questions
you could be asking yourself when thinking of becoming a mentor
or looking for one.
About The Author:
Nyasha Gwatidzo, creator of Find A Business Mentor.com, is a successful
social entrepreneur, a successful property investor, a business
investor, a business
mentor, an Executive and Life Coach and last but not least
the mum of three amazing children.
http://www.findabusinessmentor.com
