The Process for Mentoring Startups

THE PROCESS FOR MENTORING STARTUPS Jame s K a s souf

Entre p r e n e u r s h i p isn’t easy. It’s t ough t o c o m e u p with an idea tha t can s e r v e t h e m arketplace. It’s even m o r e d i f f i c u lt to find the r esou r c e s a n d i n f ormation needed t o ma k e t h a t i d e a come to life.

That’ s o n e r e a s o n mentorship is so key f o r s o m a n y e merging busin e s s p e o p l e . A good mentor can h e l p a n e n t r e preneur avoid many c o m m o n b usiness mistakes.

Of co u r s e , t o b e effective, mentors need t o h o l d u p t heir end of the barga i n . S o m e t i mes, it’s intimidati ng f or a s u c c e s s f u l person to be a ment o r . I t c a n f e el overwhelming.

That’ s w h y m e n t ors must put some s t r uct u r e i n t o t h eir processes. Just becau s e t h e y ’ v e b een effective ment o r s i n t h e p a st, it doesn’t mean t hey’ l l b e t h e r i g h t person to help every s t a r t u p . F o r everyone to get s omet h i n g o u t o f the arrangement , ment o r s n e e d t o be judicious abo ut who t h e y t a k e o n as mentees.

I t ’ s a l s o k e y f o r m entors to be v ery o p e n w i t h t h e entrepreneurs t hey s e e k t o h e l p . Sometimes, the most u n c o m f o r t a ble criticisms are t h e m o s t s i g n ificant ones.

They m a y n e e d t o be made. That’s not t o s a y t h a t m entors should be mean t o p e o p l e entering the busin e s s w o r l d . B ut it is i mpor t a n t f o r t h e m to be direct.

Some t i m e s , c o n s tructive criticism will hel p a c o m p any make a cours e - c o r r e c t i o n that saves it in t he l o n g r u n .

Anoth e r i s s u e m entors need to be aware o f i s e x p e c tations.

Entre p r e n e u r s a re so keen on the ir i deas t h a t t h e y c an practically t aste s u c c e s s a l r eady. A good ment o r c a n h e l p manage their expec t a t i o n s , p a r ticularly when it comes t o t i m e . B u ilding a s ucce s s f u l s t a r t u p can take years.

I t ’ s a g o o d i d e a t o make sure that entre p r e n e u r s u nderstand.

Comm u n i c a t i o n , as always, is the key. I t ’ s c r u c i a l t o actually listen, not j u s t w a i t f o r a n opening to s peak . I t ’ s a l s o a great idea to ask quest i o n s . M e n t ors who ask good quest i o n s c a n u ncover problems and a d d r e s s t h e m as needed befo re t hey s p i r a l o u t o f control.

Encou r a g i n g m e n tees to ask quest i o n s a s t h e y arise is also i ncre d i b l y i m p o r t ant.

Lastl y , l e t t i n g g o is a must. A good ment o r l e a d s a n entrepreneur to water . T h e y c a n ’ t make them drink.

Every o n e i n b u s i n ess must make t heir o w n d e c i s i o ns and be r espo n s i b l e f o r t hem. There’s only s o mu c h t h a t e v en the best ment o r s c a n d o .

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