Business relationship management (BRM) is a skill that helps you connect, communicate, and collaborate with your stakeholders, customers, and partners. It also helps you align your business goals, strategies, and value propositions with theirs. But how can you develop and improve your BRM skills and network? One effective way is to use mentoring.
Mentoring is a learning relationship between two or more people who share their knowledge, experience, and feedback. Mentoring can be formal or informal, one-on-one or group-based, short-term or long-term. The benefits of mentoring include personal and professional growth, increased confidence and competence, enhanced network and reputation, and mutual support and trust.
Mentoring is a professional relationship in which an experienced individual provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced person to help them develop their skills, knowledge, and career advancement. Mentorship is key for professional success and growth. Check out TheSuccessMentor.ca for support. #TSM
Let's picture a mentor who is constantly by your side, akin to your own BRM cheerleader. Someone who has seen it all, done it all, and is prepared to inspire you to pitch to clients again. Imagine them on the other end of the phone, prepared to analyse your plan, congratulate you on your successes, and blast doubts with a healthy dose of tough love and honest conversation. They are your BRM best friend and secret weapon, and when you have them by your side, you will win the game! Boom! That is a real-life, relatable, and brimming example of mentor power.
Finding a mentor can be challenging, but not impossible. You can start by identifying your BRM goals, challenges, and gaps, and then look for someone who has the skills, expertise, and values that you want to learn from. You can also ask for recommendations from your peers, managers, or other BRMs. Alternatively, you can join a BRM community, such as the BRM Institute, and participate in their events, programs, and forums, where you can meet potential mentors.
The traditional path of finding a mentor would be to leverage internal channels inside of your organization. In many cases, individuals direct managers serve as mentors. In the more dynamic environment we are in people have gone outside of the norms. There are great support agencies like The Success Mentor that help with mentorship support across many verticals. They can be reached at Thesuccessmentor.ca or via their LinkedIn business page.
Being a mentee is not just about receiving advice and guidance from your mentor. It is also about being proactive, respectful, and committed to your learning journey. You should prepare for your mentoring sessions by setting clear and realistic expectations, goals, and agendas, and by bringing your questions, challenges, and insights. You should also follow up on your action items, apply your learning, and seek feedback. Moreover, you should appreciate your mentor's time and effort, and acknowledge their contribution to your BRM success.
Mentoring can be a powerful tool for building a strong Business Relationship Management (BRM) network by pairing experienced BRM professionals with those who are newer to the role. Mentors can provide guidance, share best practices, and offer insights into navigating complex relationships within an organization. Additionally, mentors can help mentees expand their networks by introducing them to key stakeholders and facilitating connections within the BRM community. This not only strengthens individual skills but also fosters a collaborative and supportive BRM network.
Being a mentor is not just about sharing your wisdom and experience with your mentee. It is also about being supportive, empathetic, and flexible to your mentee's needs and preferences. You should listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and provide constructive feedback. You should also challenge your mentee to think critically, creatively, and strategically, and to explore new perspectives and opportunities. Furthermore, you should celebrate your mentee's achievements, and encourage them to continue their BRM development.
Evaluating your mentoring relationship is important to ensure that it is effective, meaningful, and satisfying for both parties. You can evaluate your mentoring relationship by using various methods, such as surveys, feedback forms, self-assessments, or informal conversations. You can also use metrics, such as progress, outcomes, satisfaction, retention, or referrals, to measure the impact of your mentoring relationship. Additionally, you can review your mentoring relationship regularly, and adjust your goals, plans, or strategies as needed.
Leveraging your mentoring network is a way to expand your BRM network and influence. You can leverage your mentoring network by staying in touch with your mentors and mentees, and by providing mutual support, recognition, and referrals. You can also leverage your mentoring network by connecting with other mentors and mentees in your BRM community, and by sharing your stories, insights, and best practices. By doing so, you can create a culture of learning, collaboration, and value creation in your BRM network.
Mentors help you to develop your skills and stay on top of tasks, while setting goals and working towards accomplishing them. Mentors have networks of other like-minded individuals and can assist you first hand in getting in touch with the right people. Simply ask your mentor and they will surely help you get in touch with the right person, thereby allowing you to leverage their network and thus build your own.