As an experienced micro business mentor, I can tell you one thing.
Most of the business owners (or side hustlers) who approach me don’t know exactly what they’re looking for from a mentoring relationship.
Case in point. This morning I spoke to a lovely woman – a mortgage broker who is not getting the number of clients she needs, even though she is doing ‘all the right things’.
This is why I offer my complimentary, Let’s Talk conversation. They give me the opportunity to understand a potential client’s problems and to reassure them.
The business owners I talk to ‘just know’ that something isn’t right.
Usually, this is because they started out with a big idea and a strong work ethic, sure that business success would follow.
And it did… sort of.
But is business supposed to be this difficult and demanding? Are you honestly expected to work what seems like every hour under the sun, sacrificing precious time with your loved ones?
Especially when new customers – and those much-needed profits – aren’t exactly flowing in.
It’s for these reasons a business mentoring scheme will often fail.
Enter The Mentor!
This is the point where an experienced mentor (by that, I mean someone who has been around the business block a few times!) can add genuine value.
They’ll help to identify the practical, actionable issues that are holding you back, such as a fear of planning, a lack of focus, or not knowing how to attract new customers.
Then they’ll work closely with you on a one-to-one basis, using their experience, know-how and contacts, to help transform that big idea into the profitable, time-saving business you always dreamed it would be.
This is unique, tailored and specific; it’s not a business mentoring ‘scheme’.
Can’t I Get All That From A ‘Free’ Business Mentoring Scheme?
Maybe…
But you have to ask if those offering you the ‘free’ have ever run their own business? And, was that business a business just like yours?
Here’s a little story to illustrate.
Some years ago, I had a contract to deliver business start-up training for 50+ years first-time business owners. On one of the days I had the group, I took them to a ‘Meet the Business Adviser’ session at one of the big banking institutions based in Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands.
The venue was very swish, and we were split into small groups. Each group was assigned an Adviser.
Because of the size of group I was accompanying, I was asked to be a participant.
“Absolutely” I said
So, the Adviser asked me “What is your biggest challenge as a business owner”
My answer was “Time”
“So, you have problems with time management” was the reply.
“No”, I said “I’m really good at at managing the time I have, It’s just that, as a micro business owner, there are so many plates spinning all of the time, you just cannot achieve everything you want in the time you have”
“So, it’s time management then?”
They just didn’t get it.
I pointed out that, as an employee of an international banking organisation, there were:
- salespeople working on their behalf to bring in new clients
- accountants managing the money coming into the organisation and handling payments
- a marketing department spending time telling their customers and prospects what a great bank tye are
- canteen staff preparing and serving them lunch
- cleaners making sure that their offices are clean …..
I’m sorry – how can someone who doesn’t know the day-to-day pressures of running a business where you (or a very small team) have to do EVERYTHING.
At that time in my business, it wasn’t time management. I wasn’t planning and I was being unrealistic and not using SMART targets when setting my business goals.
It was my business mentor – who had masses of experience running a business just like mine – who was able to pick up on this and put me on the right track.
So, Should You Opt for a Free Business Mentoring Scheme?
You only have to Google ‘free UK business mentoring scheme’ to bring up a long list of options.
On the surface, these schemes seem to offer just what you need.
They’re structured, they’re credible (many are run by the government or local authorities) and perhaps most importantly, you don’t have to pay for them!
But remember what I said at the start of this post?
Most business owners don’t know exactly what they’re looking for from a mentoring relationship – and that’s where structured schemes tend to fall down.
Why?
Rather than in-depth, personally tailored guidance, a business mentoring scheme is likely to give you general, ‘off the shelf’ business advice that doesn’t identify – or get to the heart of – the issues that are really holding you back.
And if you can’t identify and address those issues, it’s unlikely that you’ll achieve the business success, or the profits, you need.
Are ‘Free’ Business Mentoring Schemes Actually Free?
In a word: no.
You may not be asked to part with any cash yourself, but it’s generally true that nothing in business comes for free.
That means there will be costs somewhere along the line, such as government-sponsored, business community support, or business banking support.
Let’s also consider the ‘value’ question. If you’re not paying for the advice and guidance you’re getting, how likely are you to take it seriously?
(I challenge you to answer that question honestly!)
A Business Mentor Will Become A Valuable Part Of Your ‘Team’
The right business mentor will care about helping you achieve the success you genuinely deserve.
It means you’re likely to be offered extra support in between your scheduled sessions. This will include an empathetic ear to listen, and a knowledgeable sounding board for those random thoughts and ideas that keep you up at night!
Why Not Book A Breakthrough Session To Find Out More?
Why not book a complimentary Let’s Talk conversation to find out more about what personalised business mentoring could do for you?
A Breakthrough Session is for us to discover if we’d be the right ‘fit’ for each-other. I need to know that I’m able to add genuine value to your business, just as much as you need to know if I’m the right mentor for you.
We’ll talk through your issues and ideas in a relaxed, friendly chat that I hope you’ll find helpful, whatever direction you choose to go in next.