Learn the truth about business mentoring

Is business mentoring really for those with plenty of time to spare? Or is it an exclusive sect for the corporate elite?

Communications consultant Hannah Bourne interviewed business mentors from horsesmouth.co.uk and used their experiences and stories to bust some common mentoring myths.

1. Myth: Business mentoring is the preserve of those who have plenty of time on their hands.

Not so, as Jason has proven with his commitment to mentoring via horsesmouth. He regularly helps people looking for advice on setting up or growing a business – despite his own work commitments as CEO of a successful internet business and as a non-executive director.

Jason thinks horsesmouth sums up the best of the World Wide Web, saying: “We are naturally social creatures who like to help each other and share our experiences. Horsesmouth allows interactions and sharing to take place – tapping into a desire to make bonds and help society at large. Particularly if you are busy the internet allows you to mentor people on your own terms.

“Mentoring through horsesmouth is a great way for executives to help would be entrepreneurs be successful, which will ultimately help the UK revive its economy. Business growth is essential to the UK’s prosperity so if we can help businesses expand in some small way that can only be a good thing.”

2. Myth: You need to pay for mentoring to get really good advice

Simply not true! There are many thousands of people on horsesmouth who are professionals in their own right but who volunteer their time for nothing – all because it makes them feel good to help others facing choices and challenges they have expertise in or have faced themselves. Look at the example of business mentor 4support. He made a conscious decision to give 10% of his expertise to coach people on a pro-bono basis. He is an experienced and professionally qualified life and business coach and gives his time for free both via horsesmouth and as a trustee of his local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Aware that coaching is not something many people readily understand or are in a position to pay for; he believes that horsesmouth gives them an accessible and ‘risk-free’ way of experiencing the benefits of coaching first-hand. He comments: “Business issues I respond to again and again are stress-related, which can cover a multitude of issues, and a lack of confidence or low self-esteem which can have an impact in people’s personal and business lives. I have come across business owners who are stuck on how to market themselves and find new clients. To help them I listen, challenge them and facilitate a process where individuals make their own choices but are helped by me to succeed.” 

3. Myth: I’m not sure I have anything to share, why would people want to listen to me?

A good business mentor has personal experience of business life, has learnt some valuable lessons and has a willingness to share those learnings. Every one of us has a unique personal story which to the right person is extremely relevant. This is where Horsesmouth comes in handy because it allows people who need advice of those who have the right and relevant expertise. Sometimes this is a one-off question and answer exchange, whilst at other times it becomes a continued conversation.

Having left some very senior business roles behind him askafriend is a very dedicated mentor who consistently spends several hours a week on horsesmouth. He specialises in advising start-up businesses and inexperienced managers on their day to day issues; also guiding ex-offenders in moving on and overcoming the challenges of rebuilding their lives, such as finding employment and getting a bank account.

He says, “Horsesmouth is easy for people to use and is accessible. Unlike face to face or telephone communications there is no embarrassment in asking questions, and so it is a great way to encourage those in need to seek advice and support. I enjoy the day to day challenge of providing advice and find it very rewarding.”

Horsesmouth allows anyone to dip their toe into mentoring, by regularly answering calls for help on the site or by answering direct requests for help. The site allows you to monitor your time, so you can give as much or as little as you are able. If you have some expertise to share or have a question you want answered why not give it a go?

Celebrating mentoring

The third annual Yell Mentoring Works Awards is currently searching for the best business mentors on horsesmouth, and will be celebrating their contribution to small businesses when the winner is announced in January 2011.

How does horsesmouth work?

People can seek advice in two ways. Firstly, by posting a call for help. This can be responded to by anyone on the site, allowing you to fire off a quick question to a wide pool of people. Secondly you can read profiles on the site and email directly the mentors who have the experience to be able to help you. In return the mentors can respond to people when it suits them to do so, carving small or large chunks of time out of their busy schedules. In this way people are able to seek support and empathy as the need arises, and mentors can give advice at a time of their choosing – without having to commit to meetings which can cost them time and money.

Tags: business mentoring, horsesmouth, mentor, mentoring