wisdom of your plans. They also go a long way to easing the loneliness that goes with shouldering an SME on your own. After all, who else can you freely turn to? Of course you have a bank manager, friends and family but, unlike all of them, a mentor really does want to talk about your business and is happy to spare whatever time that takes.
But most of all they’ve been there, done that and got the T-shirt. Which means they bring with them all of the mistakes they themselves made and the answers to those mistakes, without you having to go through that painful process yourself. A mentor also brings with them all the networking contacts they have made during the course of their own entrepreneurial activities which can prove an invaluable short cut for the SME in a hurry.
Typically a mentor is someone who has ‘made it’, in whatever terms they define ‘it’, and now has the time to give something back. If they’re any good, they are also in the learning business themselves and aim to pick up as much from you as you will from them. Which brings me to the last and most wonderful thing about a mentor—mentoring is usually free since the quid pro quo is the learning exchange. If you’re running an SME then good, free advice is not something you can afford to pass up on.
It’s not difficult to find a mentor and while there are paid-for services available online there are also a lot of programmes being offered by the governments of the UK (try local government and organisations like The Prince’s Trust), Canada, NZ, and the US (try the Small Business Development Centers). Remember that with a mentor the more you put into it the more you both get out of it, so try to meet up as much as possible. That in turn means it’s best if you get on well enough to spend serious time in each other’s company—so choose wisely.
HERE’S AN IDEA FOR YOU …
Start by ‘auditioning’ a number of possible mentors. Begin by brainstorming your goals for the relationship, then arrange to meet a select few for a ‘one off’ meeting to find who you click best with. See which person has the most input on your brainstormed list and take it from there.
45 GO FOR IT
Franklin was keenly aware of the dangers of overconfidence or brashness, but don’t confuse that with lack of commitment. Pussyfooting around was no more desirable in Franklin’s day than it is now or, as he put it, ‘handle your tools without mittens; remember that the cat in gloves catches no mice.’
DEFINING IDEA …
Success or failure in business is caused more by mental attitude than by mental capacities.
~ SIR WALTER SCOTT
Even if the phrasing sounds somewhat old-fashioned, the thinking is bang up to date. Entrepreneurship isn’t a business model but an attitude, and one that thrives on getting down and dirty with the nuts and bolts of the business which you have made your own. You will need deep reserves of commitment, self-confidence (not to be confused with arrogance, do note), persistence and the initiative to be a true self-starter.
Before taking the plunge into your own business venture try the Attitude Check List:
• You believe that failure is not an option.
• The goals of this enterprise are 100% yours.
• You have crystal-clear objectives.
• You are ready to step up to the plate and ask that others around you do the same.
• You recognise that there are risks but are excited by the challenge.
• Quitting is not an option.
• You know exactly what you need to do to take this business to the next level.
• You know exactly what it will take to deliver on your promises.
• You inspire those you work with.
• You’re not afraid to make commitments around the business.
Can you tick off ten out of ten on that list? If not, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be taking the plunge but it does mean there’s an area that you are not completely convinced about. If that’s the case then
But most of all they’ve been there, done that and got the T-shirt. Which means they bring with them all of the mistakes they themselves made and the answers to those mistakes, without you having to go through that painful process yourself. A mentor also brings with them all the networking contacts they have made during the course of their own entrepreneurial activities which can prove an invaluable short cut for the SME in a hurry.
Typically a mentor is someone who has ‘made it’, in whatever terms they define ‘it’, and now has the time to give something back. If they’re any good, they are also in the learning business themselves and aim to pick up as much from you as you will from them. Which brings me to the last and most wonderful thing about a mentor—mentoring is usually free since the quid pro quo is the learning exchange. If you’re running an SME then good, free advice is not something you can afford to pass up on.
It’s not difficult to find a mentor and while there are paid-for services available online there are also a lot of programmes being offered by the governments of the UK (try local government and organisations like The Prince’s Trust), Canada, NZ, and the US (try the Small Business Development Centers). Remember that with a mentor the more you put into it the more you both get out of it, so try to meet up as much as possible. That in turn means it’s best if you get on well enough to spend serious time in each other’s company—so choose wisely.
HERE’S AN IDEA FOR YOU …
Start by ‘auditioning’ a number of possible mentors. Begin by brainstorming your goals for the relationship, then arrange to meet a select few for a ‘one off’ meeting to find who you click best with. See which person has the most input on your brainstormed list and take it from there.
45 GO FOR IT
Franklin was keenly aware of the dangers of overconfidence or brashness, but don’t confuse that with lack of commitment. Pussyfooting around was no more desirable in Franklin’s day than it is now or, as he put it, ‘handle your tools without mittens; remember that the cat in gloves catches no mice.’
DEFINING IDEA …
Success or failure in business is caused more by mental attitude than by mental capacities.
~ SIR WALTER SCOTT
Even if the phrasing sounds somewhat old-fashioned, the thinking is bang up to date. Entrepreneurship isn’t a business model but an attitude, and one that thrives on getting down and dirty with the nuts and bolts of the business which you have made your own. You will need deep reserves of commitment, self-confidence (not to be confused with arrogance, do note), persistence and the initiative to be a true self-starter.
Before taking the plunge into your own business venture try the Attitude Check List:
• You believe that failure is not an option.
• The goals of this enterprise are 100% yours.
• You have crystal-clear objectives.
• You are ready to step up to the plate and ask that others around you do the same.
• You recognise that there are risks but are excited by the challenge.
• Quitting is not an option.
• You know exactly what you need to do to take this business to the next level.
• You know exactly what it will take to deliver on your promises.
• You inspire those you work with.
• You’re not afraid to make commitments around the business.
Can you tick off ten out of ten on that list? If not, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be taking the plunge but it does mean there’s an area that you are not completely convinced about. If that’s the case then
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