The importance of a mentor in 2022

How many entrepreneurs in South Africa know the value of a mentor? It’s a concept that I have found foreign to South Africans and yet it can be the key to launching a successful business. In fact, reports show “75% of executives point to mentoring as playing key roles in their careers”.

Here are some of my views and experiences around mentorship, being a mentor and mentee myself, and how entrepreneurs and startups could benefit from having one in 2022.

What is a Mentor???

According to Wikipedia , “A Mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In an organizational setting, a mentor influences the personal and professional growth of a mentee. What matters is that mentors have experience that others can learn from. “

In simpler terms, a mentor is a person with experience and knowledge on specific aspects of running a successful business. They know how valuable experience and guidance is. The mentorship relationship between a mentor and entrepreneur is all about growth and development.

Why an entrepreneur needs a mentor

1. Mentors can help you navigate your way

Because a mentor is experienced, they have a firm grasp of the better approach to take and what you need to have in place in order to achieve your goal. They have a sound understanding of the documents you need to start a business, how to expand your workforce and still remain profitable as well as structuring your teams and building a strong culture from the onset.

2. Mentors help you clarify and set SMART?goals

A mentor can help map out your SMART goals. These are objectives that you would like your business achieve within a set time. SMART goals setting stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-sensitive goals

You can set out your SMART goals and your mentor will hold you accountable for every milestone. For more details around setting SMART goals, here’s a reminder of my article on setting and smashing your goals in 2022

3. Mentors can be a sounding board when faced with hard decisions or trying to overcome business challenges

Sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need to overcome any hurdle you are facing. Most mentors have vast experience in their field of expertise and can give great insights into the current industry, trends and market places. Not only can they help in hard times, but they can also bring a set of creative ideas to the table.

4. Mentors can help connect you to other professionals to grow your network

Don’t underestimate the power of a strong network. It help’s present new business opportunities, referrals for your business, a new avenue to find suppliers and a gateway to talk about your brand.

5. Mentors can inspire you and keep you focused.

Did you know:

Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook) was mentored by Steve Jobs. Jobs?was mentored by Mike Markkula (early investor and executive at Apple).

How to find a virtual mentor in South Africa

Book a quick briefing session with my team at Startwise. I developed this platform specifically for SME business owners and entrepreneurs to afford you the opportunity that I needed when I first started out. I am a strong believer in the value of mentorship through all stages of your business.

Startwise is South Africa’s first virtual business consulting platform. It has been designed specifically for the local market and has over 300 business coaches and mentors across a range of fields and industries to help entrepreneurs and start-ups get off the ground.

You can easily find and chat to myself (Velly Bosega), or any expert of your choice. Their consulting hours and rates are clearly displayed and all payments are handled through the platform.

Benefits of virtual mentoring through Startwise

For experts:

• You can be a mentor on the side and during hours that suit you. By consulting virtually, you don’t need to spend time in traffic
• You can contribute towards strengthening the SME market and help impart your knowledge to entrepreneurs across South Africa and receive payment for it
• Package and offer your services to a wide network of over 1000 SME business owners
• To join our network of experts,?book a demo here

For entrepreneurs:

• You get affordable access to over 300 business mentors who have been carefully vetted
• You can have multiple mentors to advise you on different aspects of your business.
• Select a mentor with expertise in a specific area of your business you need help with.
• To book a session with any of our consultants and mentors,?click here

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