If your idea doesn’t take off, your mentor should tell you, “You know what, either we’re going to make some changes, or we’re going to stop and start over with something completely different. You have to surround yourself with people who can tell you the truth.
“Having a mentor is very important because your experience can help you succeed in your business,” said Marlise Montcho, a Beninese entrepreneur, during a recent web chat at the US State Department.
Marlise Montcho is one of three young African leaders selected by the Mandela Washington Fellowship program who were invited to the show hosted by consultant Preston James. For an hour, the four speakers gave lots of advice on starting a business, including how to choose a mentor.
• Clearly define the qualities and skills sought so as to contact the right person. Marlise Montcho, founder and president of FemTicDev.
• First, you have to believe in them, be ready to listen to them. Then, be aware that the mentors are very busy people and who, despite that, agree to allocate you time. So know how to appreciate this and make good use of their advice because they can bring you a lot. Cynthia Ndubuisi, CEO of Kadosh Production Company (KPC).
• If your idea does not take off, your mentor should tell you, “You know what, either we are going to make some changes, or we are going to stop and start over with something completely different. You have to surround yourself with people who can tell you the truth. Preston James, mentor, startup consultant.
Find advice on mentoring on specialized websites:
• It is not in your best interest to appeal to a blessed-yes-yes, but at the same time, the mentor should not trample on your dreams. He should challenge you, not discourage you. Nick Bowditch, mentor. (Thementoring.club *)
• Do not think of the mentor in traditional terms, like someone who would be “above you”. The mentor should be someone you admire, who seems to be a good guide. His age and his field of activity do not matter.
• Mentoring should go both ways. If you have a mentor, you need to continually learn from each other. If you’re looking for a mentor, find a way to help. Understand what is most important to him / her and find a way to contribute. Camille Preston, founder of AIM Leadership (Fortune.com *)
• Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. The more you know about yourself, the more likely you are to find the right person. Lolly Daskal, CEO, coach, consultant and founder of Lead From Within. (Fastcompany.com *)
• If possible, meet the mentor in person. Tell him how much of his time you think you will need. Don’t flatter him. Explain to him that you know and value his experience. The mentor is not there to do the job for you, it should be clear from the start. And don’t force her hand. (Lifehacker.com *)
You can search for a mentor on the internet on sites like micromentor.org, vc4africa.biz * or findamentor.com *.
Source: http://lentrepreneuriat.net/marketing-et-managementcr-ation-d- entreprise-comment-trouver-un-bon-mentor
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