Why You Need a Mentor… No Matter What You’re Selling
Hello, 2019! Oh, how we love a “clean slate” at Jidan Cleaning!
Like any other year, things are sure to evolve at a fever pitch. Just think about your everyday experiences in an automated society: social media, music streaming, and laundry pick-ups and drop-offs. We can schedule, create a list, and power through organized routines at the press of a button.
So, is there anything traditional worth holding onto? Or, these days, are we too quick to brush anything conventional under the mat? Actually, there is one professional practice that’s always relevant and worthwhile – investing in a business mentor.
What is a business mentor?
According to The Balance, it’s someone with more entrepreneurial business experience than you. A person who serves as a trusted confidante over an extended period of time, usually free of charge (but they can be paid too).
Why would my business need one?
Each year in the United States a projected 587,000 small businesses are initiated. In those first five years, up to 70 percent of businesses survive due to leveraged guidance. The rest will inevitably close their doors.
And, according to research by the Journal of Applied Psychology, folks with mentors were more likely to receive promotions. Women, in particular, gained better social standing when affiliated with a high-status mentor.
What can a business mentor really do for me?
For starters, they will hold you accountable. When someone else is counting on you, you’re less likely to procrastinate and more likely to complete tasks. After all, running a business is no joke.
A mentor will also highlight:
- Wisdom and knowledge
- Gaps and areas of improvement
- Productivity tips and good work habits
- Unfiltered opinions and honesty
- Connections and partnerships
- Sound advice on the good days and bad
What qualities do I look for in a business mentor?
I have always looked for someone I can trust, someone who wanted to see me succeed, and someone I could learn from.
In other words, a business mentor should have no ulterior motives – no agenda to sell; just a reciprocal relationship where teaching (and listening) becomes the greatest reward.
Also, be sure to choose someone that you admire based on their years of industry experience, their values, and their track record of integrity. You’ll instinctively recognize if their advice motivates (genuinely) or propagates (deliberately).
Where do I find business mentors, especially with limited access to high-profile connections?
Don’t be afraid to start with your circle of influence. Your first-degree connections may know a perfect resource and so on. LinkedIn provides a tangible roadmap too, housing a multitude of active business groups and forums.
Additionally, get on the networking circuit and try out members at SCORE (a volunteer mentor network); SBDC’s (professional advisors for small businesses); and Women’s Business Centers (training and mentoring for women entrepreneurs).
One important caveat to remember – a business mentor doesn’t have to be a higher-up. According to Tony Tjan, managing partner at Cue Ball, it’s useful to have a copilot, buddy, or mentor.
“Your peers are committed to supporting each other, collaborating with each other, and holding each other accountable,” Tjan says. “When you have a copilot, both the quality of your work and your engagement level improves.”
And that’s good for business!
So, dust the cobwebs off of your virtual Rolodex and reach out to a trusted source. You never know where your business or career will soar.
Our bet is up!
Oh, and when your physical surroundings (a.k.a. the office) needs some gentle mentoring of its own, call Jidan Cleaning. Like a master visionary, we’re always there, always accountable!
Cheers to your success this year!
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