How can you find a mentor who is not in your company to help with Outside Sales?

1 Identify your goals

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and learn from the relationship. Do you want to improve your prospecting, presentation, negotiation, or closing skills? Do you want to expand your network, industry knowledge, or personal brand? Do you want to get feedback, advice, or support on specific challenges or opportunities? Having specific and realistic goals will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.

3 Reach out and build rapport

After you have a list of potential mentors, you need to reach out to them and express your interest in learning from them. You can send them a personalized email, message, or invitation, explaining who you are, what you do, and why you want to connect with them. You should also mention your goals, how you found them, and what value you can offer them in return. Be respectful, courteous, and concise, and avoid asking for too much too soon. If they respond positively, you can start building rapport with them by asking questions, sharing insights, and offering help.

4 Establish a formal relationship

If you have built a good rapport with a potential mentor, and you feel that they are willing and able to help you with outside sales, you can ask them to formalize the relationship. You can propose a specific format, frequency, and duration for the mentoring sessions, and agree on the expectations, objectives, and boundaries for both parties. You should also discuss how you will communicate, measure progress, and give feedback. Having a formal agreement will help you make the most of the mentoring relationship and avoid misunderstandings or conflicts.

5 Learn and apply

Once you have a formal mentoring relationship, you need to make sure that you learn and apply the lessons and advice that your mentor shares with you. You should prepare for each session by doing your homework, setting an agenda, and having clear questions. You should also listen actively, take notes, and ask for clarification or examples. After each session, you should review the key takeaways, follow up with your mentor, and implement the action steps. You should also track your results, celebrate your achievements, and acknowledge your mentor's contribution.

6 Review and adjust

Finally, you should review and adjust the mentoring relationship as you go along. You should evaluate the effectiveness, satisfaction, and value of the mentoring sessions, and see if they are meeting your goals and needs. You should also solicit and provide feedback to your mentor, and appreciate their time and effort. If you encounter any issues or challenges, you should address them promptly and respectfully. If you achieve your goals or reach the end of the agreed duration, you should thank your mentor and celebrate the success of the relationship.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?