How to select the right mentor for your business?
As an entrepreneur, the challenges you’re going to face are going to be unique to your business, your industry, and even your location. So how do you find & select the right mentor for your business, who can help you overcome these challenges?
Mentors come in different flavors of skill sets and experiences. And not every mentor will be the right one for you. So how do you find the right mentor for your specific needs?
If you want to know more about how to work with mentors and advisors, read this post instead. And, if you want to know how and where to find business mentors, read this post.
Let’s look at the 11 types of mentors that can help your startup succeed:
Masters of Craft
One of the most valuable types of mentors for startups is known as master of the craft.
These are experts in their field who have many years of experience working in your industry or area of interest.
They can provide you with invaluable insights and advice on how to grow your business and overcome challenges.
They can also help you to develop a deeper understanding of your industry, and how to operate within it.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to hone your skills and knowledge, then a master of craft is a perfect choice.
Champions of Our Cause
These are people who believe in your mission and are passionate about helping you achieve success.
They can provide you with valuable connections, resources, and advice.
They can also help you to stay motivated and focused on your goals.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to achieve your dreams, then a champion of our cause is a perfect choice.
Co-Piloting Colleagues
Co-piloting colleagues are another type of mentor that can be beneficial for startups.
These are people who have been through the startup journey themselves and can offer you valuable insights and advice.
They understand the challenges and obstacles you’re facing and can provide the guidance and support you need to keep moving forward.
Anchors
Another important type of mentor for startups is known as anchors.
These are people who have a lot of experience and connections in your industry, and who can help you navigate your way through the often-complex world of business.
They can introduce you to key players in your industry, connect you with potential investors and clients, and offer valuable advice on growing and succeeding.
“Reverse” Mentors
These are typically older or more experienced individuals who can provide guidance based on their own experiences.
They can offer you insights and advice on how to navigate the fast-paced startup world, and help you make the most of your time, energy, and resources.
With the guidance of these mentors, you can successfully grow your startup and achieve success.
Reverse mentors can come from any walk of life, but they share a few key qualities that make them ideal for startups.
They have extensive experience in their field, they’re passionate about helping others succeed, and they have a wealth of knowledge and connections to offer.
If you’re looking for someone who can provide valuable insights and advice on how to grow your startup, reverse mentors can be an excellent resource.
Mirror mentors
A good mentor is someone you can trust to tell it like it is. That’s mirror mentors for you.
They are familiar with your strengths and possibilities, as well as your background and behaviors. They will not let you off the hook. They will force you to face yourself honestly, putting healthy tension into your path and serving as an accountability partner in the process.
Not the most pleasant mentor to deal with. But the most effective one.
Serial entrepreneurs
Serial entrepreneurs are successful entrepreneurs who have built more than one successful company, from the ground.
You can learn a lot from them as they have already been through the startup journey many times.
Serial entrepreneurs are a great resource for advice and guidance, as they understand the challenges and obstacles you’re facing.
They can provide you with valuable insights on how to overcome challenges, grow your business, and achieve success.
Connectors & Superconnectors
Mentors come in all shapes and sizes. Some are connectors, others are super-connectors.
A connector is someone who knows a lot of people and can help you find the resources or contacts you need to get ahead.
A super-connector is someone who not only knows a lot of people but also has the ability to connect you with the right people for your specific needs.
Connectors & super connectors can help you expand your network, find new opportunities, and get introduced to the right people. They can be an invaluable resource for startups.
Navigators
A navigator is a type of mentor who can help you find your way when you feel lost or uncertain.
They are experienced in their field and can offer guidance and advice on how to navigate the often-complex world of business.
Navigators can help you make sense of confusing situations, identify opportunities, and avoid pitfalls.
Navigators are an important type of mentor for startups because they can help you stay on track and achieve success.
Without the guidance of a navigator, it’s easy to become lost in the sea of challenges and obstacles that you face when starting a business. But with the help of a navigator, you can find your way to success.
Facilitators
A facilitator is a type of mentor who can help you identify and overcome obstacles. They are experienced in their field and can offer guidance and advice on how to navigate the often-complex world of business. Facilitators can help you make sense of confusing situations, identify opportunities, and avoid pitfalls.
Facilitators are an important type of mentor for startups because they can help you stay on track and achieve success. Without the guidance of a facilitator, it’s easy to become lost in the sea of challenges and obstacles that you face when starting a business. But with the help of a facilitator, you can find your way to success.
Facilitators can also help you connect with other startups and resources that can help you grow your business.
They can introduce you to key players in your industry, connect you with potential investors and clients, and offer valuable advice on growing and succeeding.
Cheerleaders
A cheerleader is a type of mentor who provides support and encouragement.
They are not necessarily experienced in business, but they can offer guidance and advice on how to navigate the often-complex world of business.
As the name suggests, their success lies in yours.
Cheerleaders are an important type of mentor for startups because they can help you stay on track and achieve success. With the help of a cheerleader, you can become mentally stronger and find your way to success.
Now, that you’ve figured out the kind of mentor you want to partner with, the next thing to think about is – what do you need help with?
You want to get a mentor to help you in an area that is of high importance and something you’re weak at.
So, let’s double down on how you want to choose a mentor based on their area of expertise.
Structure Builders
These are people who are experts in building and scaling businesses from the ground up.
They can help you to create a solid foundation for your business, so that it can withstand the challenges of growth.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to build a strong and successful business, then a structure builder is the perfect choice.
Operational Wizards
These are people who are experts in the day-to-day operations of businesses. They can provide you with the advice and resources you need to run your business smoothly.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and keep your business running efficiently.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to keep your business running smoothly, then an operational wizard is a perfect choice.
Product Gurus
These are people who are experts in developing and marketing products. They can provide you with the resources and advice you need to create a successful product.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and improve your product. If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to develop and market a successful product, then a product guru is the perfect choice.
Customer Service Ninjas
These are mentors who are experts in providing excellent customer service. They can provide you with the resources and advice you need to create a world-class customer service experience.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and improve your customer service.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to provide excellent customer service, then a customer service ninja is a perfect choice.
Financial Gurus
These are people who are experts in finance and accounting. They can guide you on how to measure business progress by mastering financial concepts that will help you track metrics like cash burn, runway, revenue, cashflows, etc.
They can also help you to troubleshoot financial problems and keep your business on track.
If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to grow your business financially, then a financial guru is a great choice.
Marketing Magicians
These are mentors who are experts in marketing and advertising. They can provide you with the resources and advice you need to create a successful marketing campaign. They can help you figure out different marketing channels and hire the right marketing personnel.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and improve your marketing. If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to create a successful marketing campaign, then a marketing magician can be ideal.
Sales Savants
Sales savants are mentors who are experts in sales. They can provide you with the resources and advice you need to close more deals.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and improve your sales. If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to close more deals, then a sales savant is a perfect choice.
Technology Titans
These are people who are experts in technology. They can provide you with the resources and advice you need to create a successful technology-based business.
They can also help you to troubleshoot problems and improve your technology. If you’re looking for a mentor who can help you to create a successful technology-based business, then a technology titan is a perfect choice.
Finally, you want to find a mentor who has a lot of experience in the industry you’re working in. If the industry is new, find someone with experience in an industry close to yours.
Finding the Right Fit
There are many different types of mentors available to startups, and it’s important to find the right fit for you and your business.
Different mentors will have different skill sets and experience, so it’s important to identify the type of mentor who can best help you achieve your goals.
Once you’ve identified the right type of mentor, reach out and build a relationship.
A good mentor can provide you with invaluable insights, advice, and support that can help you grow your business and achieve success.
If you’re looking for mentors, check out our post on online mentoring platforms.
Also, check out our post on 11 people who can offer you good business advice.
If you liked this post, do check out some of our other relevant posts.
- What is value-based pricing and how to use value-based pricing
- 15 online mentoring platforms for entrepreneurs
- What is a stealth startup and should your company be in stealth?
- The ultimate guide to product-market fit
- Dating & relationship advice for entrepreneurs & startup founders
- How to make your employees stay with you forever?
- 17 must-have apps for startup founders
- What is the right price for your product/service?
- How to create, deliver & capture value for your business?
- The ultimate guide to startup outsourcing
- How small businesses & startups can compete with large companies?
- How to overcome the fear of starting a business or starting up?