Mentors

[Babber101]

I'm thinking about the merits of getting a mentor (work/business) and wondered if anyone had any experience? Was it worthwhile, would you recommend etc

Also how one would go about finding a suitable mentor?

I have had a mentor at work which was useful for a bit of advice on climbing the greasy corporate ladder but am more interested in finding a mentor who has made the transition from corporate employee to business owner and been successful

[Sunnyone]

Lots of advice here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=...

[Eleven]

Babber101 said:

I'm thinking about the merits of getting a mentor (work/business) and wondered if anyone had any experience? Was it worthwhile, would you recommend etc

Also how one would go about finding a suitable mentor?

I have had a mentor at work which was useful for a bit of advice on climbing the greasy corporate ladder but am more interested in finding a mentor who has made the transition from corporate employee to business owner and been successful

Anyone who gives you personal guidance is a mentor. I have had mentors who have helped me over many years and others who I have met once.

Most people are extremely flattered by an approach, asking them for advice upon how to do something. I have found that senior people at suppliers have been very helpful over the years, but I have also had personal advice from Richard Branson, Duncan Bannatyne, Doug Richards and others just by asking for it. Okay, it hasn't been the on-going relationship that some people associate with mentorship, but they did go to the trouble of giving me personal advice. The bigger the ego, the greater the chance of getting advice.

In terms of how I found the two most significant mentors in my life; people who helped me over years:

One was from a financial website. One regular contributor thought I was like him (I am not) and, being very successful in his / my field, helped me out with LOTS of guidance over about 10 years.

The other I met through Business Link. He was originally paid by Business Link to give advice but we became friends and he mentored me. He was, however, someone whose advice I outgrew. But then, every good pupil should at some point exceed his teacher.

I wouldn't pay for mentorship. I would find someone who wants to help you because they want to see you succeed, and most likely gets a buzz out of seeing his / her protégé being successful.

Edited to add: When someone does give you advice, acknowledge it by saying thank you and being grateful. It will improve significantly the chances of the relationship being ongoing.

Edited by Eleven on Thursday 12th February 09:04