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