In business operations, you will always be various contenders struggling to achieve a goal, measure the strength of an idea, or measure each employee's importance. The truth is all business entrepreneurs starting up a business will always be inexperienced and find the need to look for a mentor.
By hiring a mentor, you will be able to deal with your new state. Being humble will only lead you to being experienced and successful in your business and recognizing the need to ask for help.
Finding a mentor is not an easy thing; here are a few ways that are my recommendation.
1. Small business development centers
These centers are independent companies designed to provide you with resources, experts in your business field, and advice to any potential entrepreneurs who are starting up their businesses in any big cities all over the country.
You should be able to find the mentors you are looking for within these small business development centers.
2. Networking events
These networking events are made to get people together. When professional people come together, an opportunity is created where you meet a lot of respected leaders. The latter will help you succeed in your career and move in the right direction.
In a networking event, try to meet and talk to as many people as you can and avoid being so direct with your objectives and goals but then wait for the right partner or mentor to show themselves to you.
3. Linsic
This is one of the organizations that are designed to help potential entrepreneurs start a business, run and grow it until they achieve their goals. This organization has more than a thousand mentors who are ready to help you in your business.
Through lisnic, you can request to talk to a mentor through your preferred online platform or ask to meet with them and discuss your business. Through this, you will be able to get in a lasting and helpful relationship that will help you grow in your business.
4. Linked in and twitter
These online platforms are the best places you can meet a lot of professionals and get connected to them. Get to look for potential individuals within your industry or even in your area of interest and be careful while introducing yourself.
Be casual to anyone you talk to before you start engaging yourself in serious matters.
5. Join an incubator
If you happen to live in an area where a lot of businesses are coming up, you are probably likely to meet a lot of mentors who will be mentoring other business owners in that area.
Have an open mind and always be ready to visit new places with a lot of business coming up, for you will be able to get most of your work done and still get to know a lot of talented people.
6. Competitors
Competition, mostly from the indirect sources, will always give you advice on what you need to succeed in your business. However, direct sources will find it hard to help you with relevant information to help you move in the right direction.
Always look for companies that are targeting the same organization as you since you are not a competition to them. Businesses that have been in operation for long will always give all the pieces of information that you need.
7. Volunteer
As an entrepreneur, you should engage in many business meetings since you are most likely to meet new people who will have a good impact on your business. All kinds of people will be in these meetings from interns to those that have retired.
All of these people will give a lot of information that will help you in your business. You will also be able to bring an excellent reputation to your company when you volunteer a lot.
8. Other sources
Any other source can be anywhere. You can meet a potential mentor in a restaurant or even in your church. Be open to always talk to strangers in those expensive places you go to have a drink.
Don't be ignorant of the fact that anyone can be the key to your next big thing in your business. Be patient while looking for a mentor, look into places you could have considered if you were a mentor.
9. Look to your network first
Relatives such as family and close friends are most likely to provide a great mentor. They can not lack an entrepreneur in the same line of work as you are and thus connect you to them. It is straightforward to build this kind of relationship since you do not need a lot of effort to ask a favor from your close friends and families.
Conclusion
Some people always find it hard to get a mentor who will form a good relationship, not only work-based. All of the above are some of the essential ways that you should consider if you are looking for a mentor that will help you take your business off the ground and also to the next level of success.