The Strategic Advantage of Hiring A Mentor: The Power of Outside Perspective
Mike Anderson
| Accredited Business Mentor and investor bringing fun , energy and experience
Business has always moved fast, and even the most talented and experienced entrepreneurs can find themselves facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It’s one of the reasons we love it!
But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Ever found yourself sitting at your desk, looking at the wall, wondering what next?
You get to that glass ceiling, but then what?
What piece of the puzzle do you move?
Is there something you could do differently?
What if there was a way to inject fresh energy, expertise, and objectivity into your business strategy?
This is something I’ve always done in business, but it is a tactic that is sometimes overlooked.
It might just be time for someone who can look at your business from the outside in to come and work with you. Someone who gets to know you, someone who has been where you want to go.
At the end of the day, if you look after yourself, you get better outcomes.
Honestly, it’s something I’ve seen on the ground since my days with Rupert Murdoch at News UK, to founding Chelsea Apps Factory (which became the 16th fastest-growing tech company in the UK.)
But why might a mentor help your business, and help you?
Well, quite a few reasons…
??Fresh Perspective
Have you ever felt like you're too close to your business to see the forest for the trees?
Mentors bring a fresh pair of eyes to your organisation, often identifying opportunities and solutions that may have been overlooked. They can help reposition your brand, develop innovative strategies, and provide insights that challenge the status quo.
If you have a mentor who’s been in the game a while, they’ll be able to bring years of stories to your sessions so that you learn from those that have been where you want to go.
??Specialised Expertise
In times of rapid technological advancement (hello AI and NFTs!) and changing market dynamics, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. A mentor should offer specialised knowledge that can help:
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??Flexibility and Scalability
You don’t need to commit to long-term hires when you can access top-tier talent on-demand. Investing in yourself by working with a mentor offers the flexibility to scale your resources up or down based on your needs. This agility is particularly valuable for businesses dealing with:
??Time-Saving
Time is a precious commodity for any business owner.
I know it.
You know it.
So why do we push back on taking action when it can really help?
A mentor can take on complex projects and time-consuming tasks, allowing you to focus on core business activities and strategic growth. You know, the work that actually lets you achieve your goals?
For example. my Mentee Adrian, says
Mike is not just a mentor; he is a powerhouse catalyst for success. His blend of care, skill, and strategic thinking has empowered me to achieve milestones I once thought were out of reach.
??Objectivity
When you're deeply invested in your business, it's easy to lose objectivity. Mentors bring an unbiased perspective, backed by data and analysis, to help you make informed decisions aligned with your long-term goals.
And you know me… I take it one step further… as my mentee Allan says,
With (Mike) on your side, you can be confident that he will always prioritise what is best for you, even if it is at his own expense.
While the benefits of working with a mentor are clear, it's important to acknowledge potential risks such as costs and communication challenges. However, with careful selection and clear goal-setting, we can mitigate these risks.
So, how can you ensure you're getting the most out of your mentee-mentor relationship?
And more than that, I like to see it as investing in a friendship- there will be lots of cups of tea, long walks working through complex problems, and a good sense of humour to get through those blocks that you need to get through.
If you want to make a start, right now, you can take my quiz which will get you thinking about how you work right now, and we can then chat through your results over a cuppa.