Possibly the Most Powerful Competitive Advantage to Boost Success of any Business!

Acting on a mentor’s advice can potentially be the most important decision you can make.

No one knows it all, but many are able to make their lives much easier by learning from those who already have succeeded. How about you?

It's even more important for entrepreneurs who are creating a new business to deliver value to the world. Entrepreneurship is being able to overcome dark days and stormy clouds. There will be times when you want to give up. It can feel very discouraging and lonely. A mentor can be the one to help you through, both with the support and advice to get you out of any situation. They can also provide a view of unrealized opportunity on a problem.

So why doesn't everyone already have the right mentor on their side and why can the right mentor be your biggest competitive advantage?

The pros of mentoring

The advice of an experienced professional can potentially save or make you more money than any other similar-sized investment.

You can avoid the mistakes they made and benefit from superior knowledge and decades of insight. Two heads are better than one, especially when the second head is more experienced.

Building a great company is extremely difficult. Mistakes will be made. Moments where you feel like a complete fraud will arrive. A mentor can help you turn these moments into inspiration for further success, and such advice is often priceless.

By finding a great mentor, building a strong relationship, and implementing their advice, you could find yourself in a position where you’re ready to out-maneuver your competition and peers who haven’t benefited from the type of personal coaching you have.

The cons of mentoring

Mentoring can be costly, and some may argue it’s not worth the finances you’re giving up, particularly if you’re sacrificing equity in your business.

Talking with a mentor can distract you from important work that needs doing, and there’s every chance that the advice you receive is poor, outdated, or simply not right for your business.

A narrow perception on your part could ultimately be your downfall, particularly if the mentor no longer works in the industry or doesn’t have a strong enough understanding of your business model.

If you’re unlucky enough to team up with an untrustworthy mentor, there’s the potential that your ideas could even be hijacked.

Perhaps, the best way to avoid these problems is to choose your mentor very carefully.

How to find a great mentor

Finding a mentor is not about going on a pilgrimage to find Gandalf The Great - an all-knowing wizard who can slay business dragons on your behalf - and begging him to join you on a quest.

It's more about putting yourself out there, attending great networking events, being introduced through connections, and finding someone you can be comfortable with - someone who believes in the same cause as you and who can speak truth to you. You'll be surprised how many established experts are willing to give valuable advice to someone who has the right attitude toward achieving success.

This means being willing to learn. It means being appreciative of the advice you receive and seeking a thorough understanding. It means working smart to put it into practice. It means not taking any element of business success for granted. It means being humble and grateful.

Perhaps more than anything, it means being willing to invest time, money (or equity), and trust. You already know that trust is at the core of all strong relationships. Are you ready to take that GIANT leap and act upon well-considered advice?

Most highly successful people have been helped on the way to success. Many are eager to pay this forward and help others to also achieve great success, either for the good feeling it gives them or for a piece of the action.

The key to finding a great mentor is proving to them you are both prepared and trustworthy!

Recognize great success

Paul Erb Consulting wishes you great fortune on your journey, especially if you are rapidly growing a new business as a startup or in an established business. Whether you are an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, highly successful potential mentor, or a well-respected expert, you can make a difference to the global economy.

Let's take action to boost your success!

Paul

Paul Erb

International Founder | Author | Speaker

Let's Magnify the Economic Power of Startups

Focusing TechForGood

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success. - Alexander Graham Bell

www.PaulErb.ca