Becoming a business mentor
Discussion
Hi everyone,
My Dad has nearly 50 years of commercial experience as a serial entrepreneur, he lives for business and is a very clever guy with true original thinking. Having recently retired, he is somewhat struggling with the concept and is currently driving my mum crazy. He always said that when he stopped working then his body would react to the sudden lack of stress and therefore he would likely die, there is an element of truth to that and he just wants to keep busy.
I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
Thanks, TT
My Dad has nearly 50 years of commercial experience as a serial entrepreneur, he lives for business and is a very clever guy with true original thinking. Having recently retired, he is somewhat struggling with the concept and is currently driving my mum crazy. He always said that when he stopped working then his body would react to the sudden lack of stress and therefore he would likely die, there is an element of truth to that and he just wants to keep busy.
I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
Thanks, TT
Some voluntary work perhaps with charities, helping them use their resources better, raise money efficiently, meet their objectives and manage the charity better ?
Mix with some physical work/hobbies - golf, gardening, any hobby really .
Till he finds some business advisory/mentoring match…
Mix with some physical work/hobbies - golf, gardening, any hobby really .
Till he finds some business advisory/mentoring match…
My former business partner was in the same position.
He has found salvation in a few Non-Exec Director roles for some interesting companies including a social enterprise. He did look at consulting but considered that to be too close to full time work again. Balances that out with some Walking Football (even had a trial for England!!) and publishing Children's books which he wrote for his kids 25 years ago but did nothing with.
He has found salvation in a few Non-Exec Director roles for some interesting companies including a social enterprise. He did look at consulting but considered that to be too close to full time work again. Balances that out with some Walking Football (even had a trial for England!!) and publishing Children's books which he wrote for his kids 25 years ago but did nothing with.
My advice would be avoid the middle ground of mentorship as a form of consultancy and instead focus on the more altruistic end and/or find companies to invest in (and support more broadly than with just money).
The reason I say this is that in the realm of start-ups/SMEs they generally don't have the resources to pay for expertise. It's hard to square that circle if you're being asked to provide support gratis/below market rates to commercial enterprises he otherwise has no interest in.
Instead, to get something out of any sort of advisory arrangement, I suspect he'll find he either needs the satisfaction of doing good or a way to share in the upside that he helps create.
The reason I say this is that in the realm of start-ups/SMEs they generally don't have the resources to pay for expertise. It's hard to square that circle if you're being asked to provide support gratis/below market rates to commercial enterprises he otherwise has no interest in.
Instead, to get something out of any sort of advisory arrangement, I suspect he'll find he either needs the satisfaction of doing good or a way to share in the upside that he helps create.
TallTony said:
My Dad has nearly 50 years of commercial experience as a serial entrepreneur, he lives for business and is a very clever guy with true original thinking. Having recently retired, he is somewhat struggling with the concept and is currently driving my mum crazy. He always said that when he stopped working then his body would react to the sudden lack of stress and therefore he would likely die, there is an element of truth to that and he just wants to keep busy.
I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
Most councils have some sort of 'small business enterprise scheme' - that might be a start. Councils both admire and fear business because they can't do it...!I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
I'm sure a lot of businesses would really benefit and it's great to see a person going into business mentoring with actual experience. Seems to be another one of those vapourware careers at the moment to be a 'business coach" or life coach. Usually just some chancer telling you to go jogging before you start work having zero business experience other than that of being a business coach!
fridaypassion said:
I'm sure a lot of businesses would really benefit and it's great to see a person going into business mentoring with actual experience. Seems to be another one of those vapourware careers at the moment to be a 'business coach" or life coach. Usually just some chancer telling you to go jogging before you start work having zero business experience other than that of being a business coach!
That's the problem with the industry at the moment. You don't need to have any experience or qualifications. Many do, but many don't. And the loudest are the ones everyone notices, rather than the best.TallTony said:
Hi everyone,
My Dad has nearly 50 years of commercial experience as a serial entrepreneur, he lives for business and is a very clever guy with true original thinking. Having recently retired, he is somewhat struggling with the concept and is currently driving my mum crazy. He always said that when he stopped working then his body would react to the sudden lack of stress and therefore he would likely die, there is an element of truth to that and he just wants to keep busy.
I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
Thanks, TT
As others have said, he would be useful for a local business advice organisation.My Dad has nearly 50 years of commercial experience as a serial entrepreneur, he lives for business and is a very clever guy with true original thinking. Having recently retired, he is somewhat struggling with the concept and is currently driving my mum crazy. He always said that when he stopped working then his body would react to the sudden lack of stress and therefore he would likely die, there is an element of truth to that and he just wants to keep busy.
I have suggested that he becomes a business mentor, perhaps to a young company or start-up where there his level of experience would be appreciated. It doesn't have to be frequent but I figure would be sufficient to satisfy his needs. However I don't know where to start with that - could anyone give any advice?
If anyone has any other ideas on how to integrate a complete workaholic into retirement then please let me know!
Thanks, TT
When I first decided to start a business I knew nothing at all about even the basic stuff. The local authority offered me a one day course that helped massively. Later on, Business Link offered me a further leg up.
About fifteen years ago, I helped out Business Link at a local enterprise event. It was fascinating and I met some very interesting (and useful) people. I found it quite stimulating.
If I retire before I die, I might volunteer for such an organisation in order to give something back, and defer mental degeneration for as long as possible!
I’m a mentor for https://www.bethebusiness.com/
Had 6 referrals currently still working with 3
Great platform.
Had 6 referrals currently still working with 3
Great platform.
DSLiverpool said:
I’m a mentor for https://www.bethebusiness.com/
Had 6 referrals currently still working with 3
Great platform.
Are the companies you are working with paying for your time?Had 6 referrals currently still working with 3
Great platform.
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