Do you have a Mentor?

[mphcoach]

I'm sure you've noticed this Shri, that when you work with clients and they have a bit of confidence instilled in them, and we give them the space to succeed in their own right, with their own solution, they truly flower to levels you just could not envisage (even though we are in this business) and without doubt they couldn't.

It's a rewarding role to have indeed.

The beauty of coaching is that the learning is embedded in our clients (usually because they came up with it!), and they have these new skills, tools, confidences to use forever. This works in business and in their personal lives too.

Consulting often falls short here, where something gets fixed by an outsider and then when it breaks again, no-one back at the ranch has a clue how to fix it the next time, and they need a consultant again!

So, whilst a consultant role is great is solving problems; fixing broken things, developing individuals' own skills and talents to fruition is the role of the coach - unleashing the potential that lies within (hope that's not a Tony Robbins saying ).

Reminding me of this has lightened up my day - thank you!

Regards

Martin
Coaching Businesses To Success

[Tony]

I have a mentor, and a very good one. He is my boss at work. He is more of a leader than a normal boss at work. He shares his experience freely and is always there to give a listening ear. He has impacted my life positively over the years. He is not the only mentor I have, but he has been the best

[orxan]

I don't have an official mentor which guides me step by step. I learned the business with trial and error.

But there are marketers whose books and couses have helped me a lot while starting and improving my business, for example, D. Gerl.

Orxan

P.S. BTW, Good mentors charge nearly 8.000$ to join their mentorship program, so no everybody can get this chance

[boxiee]

hmmm...not really a single person to call a mentor but those people whom i've met along the way and had taught me invaluable information about business and also about life.

[litekepr]

I don't have an official mentor which guides me step by step. I learned the business with trial and error.

But there are marketers whose books and couses have helped me a lot while starting and improving my business, for example, D. Gerl.

Orxan

P.S. BTW, Good mentors charge nearly 8.000$ to join their mentorship program, so no everybody can get this chance

Very true about the fees. Fortunately, I am in a position to barter my time with some very capable marketers who normally charge fees for their time and they know that I could never afford to pay their fees - so we exchange services I've also learned most things under pressure and on my own, so the idea of a coach or mentor doesn't appeal to me. I do value the key people I can approach on the occasion that I have a question.

I've found that many people respond so much better to a consultant who is working with them, giving assistance and helping guide them instead of admitting they have a coach or mentor. I also think the scope and effectiveness depends on the consultant or coach's style and technique. I've worked with a large number of people for far too reasonable fees and have seen them blossom into very competent and successful business people.

I'm familiar with coaches, mentors and consultants that do a very different and far less effective job - so the work that is done and their accomplishments seem much more important than a title. I like being a consultant because that gives me a lot of flexibility in the scope of the services that I offer and they seem to be evolving on a regular basis

Shri

[David Hurley]

I have heard it said that a mentor must be available for face-to-face meetings, but I question whether that is so in the age of the Internet.

Any thoughts on that?

[orxan]

I have heard it said that a mentor must be available for face-to-face meetings, but I question whether that is so in the age of the Internet.

Any thoughts on that?

Hi David,

They do it by Skype (video) or phone call. If the customer finds it relevant it is done by email or live chat.

But I heard that there can be meeting once a year in expensive mentorship programs.

[litekepr]

There are so many great ways to communicate, whether phone, teleconferencing, video feed etc - that most people can work together without meeting face to face. But, I've found some of that depends on the people involved. I've been fortunate to work with people in 6 different countries and obviously we couldn't meet in person, but my credibility was established when we met and I really think that helps the process. I've very accessible to clients by phone and email and we haven't had any problems. But, I've bid on projects for people who simply refuse to work with a person they can't meet with in person and they wouldn't even talk about their needs. Those experiences taught me that its critical to know what kind of person I'm talking with and then determine how much we can accomplish without meeting in person.

Shri

[jvprosperity]

I too don't believe there is much value in meeting face to face vs. by telephone. i definatley don't like to communicate via email as so much can get lost in the way of translation when some reads a message vs. actually talking. Not to mention my typing speed sucks.

[litekepr]

I too don't believe there is much value in meeting face to face vs. by telephone. i definatley don't like to communicate via email as so much can get lost in the way of translation when some reads a message vs. actually talking. Not to mention my typing speed sucks.

Typing speed is a factor

The phone is great, but I make notes about project details. Then, I send an email with those details to get the person's thoughts - in print - to assure we agree to the details of the project before we begin.

Shri

[TheRainmaker]

I have found that mentors come in all shapes and sizes, via web, books, face to face and telephone. My mentor is a seasoned business man who I met years ago. After connecting over coffee a few times I asked him if he would formally mentor me. Its been amazing and I know that I have also mentored him in some other areas in his business.

I think the most important tool anyone can have is a mentor but the key to making it successful is being open and teachable. Sometimes I need a kick in the pants to make what I consider a difficult decision, or I need some help negotiating some bigger opportunities. My mentor holds me accountable and helps me to focus on really important stuff.

He's also the first person to ask me about my family, house etc., so its great to stay grounded.

Over the years I have researched and interviewed many coaches when I thought I wanted a bit more specific guidance on issues. Someone who could be available weekly etc. What I found was that there are very few coaches who have their own stuff together - so I didnt find the confidence I was looking for.

Now I know there are quite a few coaches online here that have grown successful practices, so i'm sure if I was looking now,I'd find a match.

I recommend getting really clear on what you want to accomplish and finding someone who has walked the path before you. In our mentoring program that is what we focus on, www.beyond-bitch.com, not coaching but as showing women entrepreneurs through our own collective experience what lies ahead and how to navigate the course.

I admire and respect all the mentors I have, now and in the past, by sharing the tools and skills they taught me.

J

[OmnivoreInk]

Here's an article on mentors, which mentions a site that sets up mentors and mentees, called. appropriately enough, Mentium.

A Coach for Your Career
A good mentor can make the difference in navigating your professional path
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... dstrom.DTL


"Kathleen Pytleski, senior vice president of Mentium, a mentor-mentee matching company, recommends that employees find a mentor who has the skills that they may not already have. "Look for someone who has a skill set you want to develop, someone whose talents you admire. 'This person's a good leader — I want to be a good leader like that,'" she says. "

See link for complete article.

[topeyinka]

Yinka Taiwo the CEO of ideasuniversity.com is my mentor. He thought me all I know on Internet marketing. He is the one that recommended this forum to me

[JBunion]

A mentor is an important part of developing as an entrepreneur, learning the ropes, and appreciating business through the trials and tribulations of people more experienced than yourself.

[jessica_david]

Hi
Yes I do have and I think a mentor is very necessary for one who want to start a new business.