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What is a business mentor? A business mentor is a person who is Business mentors are invaluable for those who are just staring out in business. They are there to offer advice, guidance and point out the potential pitfalls that can make the difference between success and failure.

In essence mentoring is about support. Their task is to make themselves available to spend the time discussing the business with the mentee, encouraging their plans with optimism, whist at the same time offering constructive advice, including pointing people in the right direction to acquire knowledge and help when this is not readily available to them. Similarly, the role of the mentor includes inspiring confidence, praising the person they are helping for what they have achieved and helping them to remain focused on their future goals and objectives.

Therefore, it can be seen from the foregoing that the process of choosing a mentor is very important. In making this choice there are several qualities that one should be looking for,

1. Time. Whilst mentors, by their very skill nature, will be busy people, they will always have or find the time to discuss your business with you. Whilst this may sometimes be by telephone, they will ensure face to face contact whenever possible. They will be willing to spend as much time as is needed to help you find your way in business.

2. Good relationship. A mentor will be someone with whom you will always feel comfortable and be able to build a good working relationship. Furthermore, you will feel motivated by them and have confidence in the help that they give you and trust their judgement. If you cannot do this then that person will not make a good mentor for you.

3. Focused. A good mentor, when spending time with you, will not only stay focused on the issues that may be of concern, but will also help you, as the business owner, to remain focus on your objectives, helping to ease you back to them if there is a danger of other things getting in the way.

4. Skilled. The best mentor will have skills and knowledge that is appropriate to your particular business. Furthermore, they will be happy to share these with you, providing the benefit of being able to learn from another's experience instead of the often-costly situation of learning from ones own mistakes.

5. Coaching skills. A good mentor can be likened to a sports coach. Their task is not to take over from you; anymore than a tennis coach will play the game for their player. A business mentor is their to help you improve your skills, in other words they will take the raw abilities that you have and help, by advice and example, to hone those skills into a formidable force for success.

Remember to choose your mentor wisely. He or she can add a significant amount of value to you as a businessperson and help you business on the path to future success, enabling you to fulfil your objectives.

Learn more about this author, Paul Lines.
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