How do I find a mentor?
I am looking for a mentor to provide me with valuable experience and advise me. I need help in business expansion and construction of a full-fledged company in recruitment, and so I am looking for someone with experience in creating companies and willing to share skills.
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Jun 20, 2014
Networking is critical here. Understanding the business ecosystem where you live is important. I would seek out those in your field and like Mark mentioned, ask them for a small amount of time so that you can talk to them about your goals and ask their advice. Building relationships is key. Also, reaching out to business incubators/accelerators in your area are critical, as they typically have many mentors associated with them. If anything, it can be a good place to get a list of those that are willing to devote their time (or they wouldn't be listed on these sites), so they would be most likely more willing to discuss the same topics with you as well.
Jun 16, 2014
I would say the most important thing to do is ask. Just find about 2-3 people you admire at the level you would like to get to next and just pursue them. Offer to buy lunch, breakfast or dinner and talk. Have a list of questions and a notepad to write down the answers. It shows a great deal of respect when you show up with questions and actually write down the answers. Then follow up with a thank you card. Handwritten is best but anything is better than nothing.
Jun 12, 2014
You appear to be seeking out a business consultant but that could be costly is you are a start up but do interview a couple of consultants to make sure that is the case. I would recommend joining a business network, like BNI or a community group like a Chamber of Commerce and become knowledgeable about who is one of the most successful business people in an industry or development stage much like yours.
Jun 11, 2014
Consider all of the people you know, trust and respect. Write them down and have lunch or a cup of coffee with them expressing to them your sentiments of then. Then listen and allow them to share. You will be surprised of the responses and requests to assist.
Jun 11, 2014
I don't know where you are based but I have a good friend http://www.banyantreeanswers.co.uk and you should have the first conversation...
Jun 11, 2014
You may want to try Linked In if you are a member, and if not a member yet, I would suggest joining linked In, it's free to join.
Jun 10, 2014
Certification in a particular field will enable a newcomer in the field to obtain advice from all of the experts. They usually have a forum where there are answers to almost everything. You can also ask the organization for a mentor.
Jun 9, 2014
My advice is don't just get one. Network extensively and build reciprocal relationships, See my thoughts on the topic. http://letsgrowleaders.com/communication-listening/dont-get-a-mentor/
Jun 9, 2014
Great question, especially in consideration of your inquiry about Sales issues. I suggest you look at all the advice given thus far and if you need a coach in recruiting make sure he/she is an active practitioner as am I.
Jun 9, 2014
Look for someone in your locality or around you who has succeded in doing what you are trying to do and submit to him. You may have to spend money, if need be, just to have this person take you under his wing. Remember, mentors love to be pursued, and the proof of desire is pursuit.
Jun 9, 2014
Often a mentor finds you...make yourself seen as someone who values guidance and others opinions
Identify someone who you feel can help guide you and ask if they would committ to being your mentor...its flattering to be asked
Take a look at this site http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Mentor
Jun 9, 2014
The Mentor should have experience on HR, should know how to define profiles through the information on the CV and its respective clarification through one or more interviews.
The interviews should be done by the mentor, the HR manager and the CEO. All the job positions characteristic's should be clarified as well as quantified so it is possible to understan which is the principal characteristic in order to select from.
The start ups have at least one year without obtained the planned sales levels since it is diffcult to find the right people without a large connection network.
Therefore it is essential to maintain the interviews strategy.
There are a considerable factors that need to be defined before you go ahead with the company besides the list of people that are available fro recruitment buat also a list of clients or potential clients as well as the type of recruitment to be specialized with like IT, Education or Training or even Engeniering type of activity.
It is possible to work on all of these industry's activities as long as you have people specialized on each professional field and focused to do it.
All the recruiters should work for objectives at least on the beginning and later according to their level of confidence & transparency they should become permanent employees.
Kind Regards,
Carla Cabral.
Jun 9, 2014
A mentor is a nice idea as soon as you define (for yourself first) what do you mean by "business expansion" from local to national ? to international ? Where CIS, EU, US, Latham... Asia? Or expansion from Manager recruitment to operators recruitments?
What is your conception of a full fledged company?
My approach would be to set up goals to achieve short and long term first, then define the financials parameters and budget, then look for a consultant or an associate or any experienced person able to scout you through the development's maze.
Jun 9, 2014
Hello Alexey,
There are a lot of great suggestions out here, from a group of people that can offer great experience. I have been mentored, and have mentored many people in my life, so there are a couple of things I will add here. So first - listen to what is offered here, and act on what is applicable to your situation.
1) Is there someone that you trust, that has found success in this industry?
It is great to hear the success stories, as this can truly get the motivational juices flowing; however, it is very important to ask for the obstacles that have been overcome as well. Discuss both with this person.
2) Defining "Business Expansion": Are you taking on an effort to "add" something specific to a business (i.e. a Project Office, a new product line, etc.) vs. just growing a business in general?
Defining specifics are important as this will help develop discussions, and the right mentor can help you prioritize your focus on what needs to be done first.
3) I also recommend a "Power Mentoring" approach vs. finding one person that is your "pillar of all information". I personally have a mentor network that is quite large, and continue to meet with them on a regular basis to discuss their area of specialty for my profession, and life in general. I would develop a network of folks that you truly trust, and maintain those connections. I would also recommend reading a book called "Power Mentoring" by Ellen Ensher and Susan Murphy:
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Mentoring-Successful-Proteges-Relationships/dp/078797952X
4) Roles: Mentors vs. Friends vs. Business Partners... what is needed?
Well, all 3 quite honestly! :-) In one of your responses, you mentioned that you want a mentor that can be a friend; to me that equals trust.... you want a person that is after your best interest when giving advice. However, a friend can "cave" in your areas of weakness, where a true mentor will stay true to the relationship, and the needs at hand. A caring mentor will empathize vs. sympathize with your situation, and will still offer the truths for you to build on. In addition, if you want to build a relationship that grows as your business grows, you may want to consider a Partner vs. a Mentor.
Alexey, I am open to discussion on this if you would like. I cannot promise that I will have the answers/advice you need for your specific business; however, I may be able to offer some feedback / guidance on getting a strong mentor network setup for you. Feel free to contact me if you feel led to do so.
My best to you and yours on this journey.
Respectfully,
Bobby
Jun 9, 2014
Firstly understand what you mean by a mentor. Remember that the original mentor was a trusted person who was meant to make the king's son a wise and trusted ruler. Note, he was not required to train him as a king or to teach him the processes of royalty, he was expected to develop the person. So your first step is to find someone that you trust.
The other key point is that there was a clear objective in the first ever mentoring programme. You need to make sure that you both understand the goal of the mentoring process so that you can see when the end has been achieved.
Another important point is that, as this is the one process that challenges your learning style, it is critical that you and the mentor are both comfortable with each other.
So find someone you trust, make sure you like each other and set a clear goal to regularly monitor against to ensure that the process is working and to see when it ends.
If you are interested then I have a good document that explains the mentoring role in more detail and also explains some of the other business support roles in case you are unclear as to what you want.
Jun 8, 2014
I would suggest to register with Viral Marketing, they have a collection of coaches and mentors of different niches. They have assisted me to have my coaching program. However it requires a small investment!
Jun 8, 2014
I am joining Founder Institute (fi.co) for exactly the same reason. They will teach you everything you need to know.
Jun 8, 2014
Hi Alexey, Thank you for reaching out. Please contact me personally and lets have a chat. Kind Regards Nigel
Jun 8, 2014
I suggest you check SCORE.org and "seek a mentor." SCORE is a national non-profit, funded under the budget of the Small Business Administration and offers FREE one-on-one mentoring all across the U.S. All SCORE mentors are volunteers that have been successful senior managers/leaders or have owned businesses and data overwhelmingly indicates that people who take advantage of SCORE (especially on a multiple visit basis) tend to actually start their businesses and grow them.
I am a volunteer in the Salt Lake City Chapter of SCORE where there are roughly 35 volunteer mentors, all with different skill sets eager to help. It's a very valuable FREE service that you'd be silly to ignore.
Ron
SCORE Certified Mentor / President - Salt Lake Chapter
Alexey, could you provide or get a Skype number for us to speak? My number is on my profile. Follow me so we can communicate directly.