The word entrepreneur conjures up the image of someone who is confident, determined and a calculated risk taker.
You might think that someone with these characteristics would find it difficult to accept the advice of others, but more and more leaders are turning to business mentors for regular support and guidance. After all, entrepreneurship thrives on innovation and many new ventures present fresh challenges for even the most experienced business people.
Having one of your peers to speak to, who has already walked the path you are on and benefitting from the lessons they have already learned can be the catalyst to overcoming a challenge, making a strategic plan or putting the building blocks in place for your future.
A trusted and respected person who has done it all before offers welcome clarity to help you find a clearer way forward.
The best mentoring relationships are based on mutual trust, allowing the mentee to own up to weak spots and knowledge gaps which need to be addressed.
A mentor must be impartial, supportive, consistent and act as a sounding board for those all-important ideas.
They should encourage new ways of thinking, provide advice on improving personal strengths, addressing weaknesses and developing new skills and knowledge. The process often has a strong and positive motivational effect on both parties.
Dr David Cliff, winner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum Mentor of the Year award in 2017, recognises that the process can initially seem intimidating and uses his 35 years of experience to help people to make significant changes at a personal, business or organisational level.
One entrepreneur helped by Dr Cliff is John Savage who founded Flame Heating Group, one of the North East’s fastest-growing businesses. Despite John’s many years of experience and knowledge working within his industry, he found that he required extra help when it came to setting up his own business in 2011.
He readily acknowledges Dr Cliff’s support as invaluable and says his guidance helped Flame grow, particularly in terms of the location and size of new branches. Dr Cliff also helped refine the way the company operates and tailored its five year plan.
“David’s ongoing advice and guidance has been instrumental in shaping the way in which we do business and, on a personal level, he has helped with my own development.” John Savage.
Dr Cliff also provided Flame with expert advice on alternative ways of raising finance and persuaded John to engage with various marketing and public relations companies. This allowed him to promote Flame’s key messages across numerous platforms and raise the company’s profile.
Another North East entrepreneur who is supporting the next generation of businesses is Sarah Pittendrigh, who recently launched her own consultancy.
Sarah, who founded the award-winning Simply Bows and Chair Covers, has never forgotten the invaluable advice she received courtesy of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum when establishing the business.
As a result of winning a Business Growth Award, she received ten sessions of free business mentoring. She recalled how vital it was in those early days to receive expert advice and have someone to brainstorm ideas with.
Sarah is now keen to pass on her own valuable experience which ranges from personal bankruptcy to setting up a business as a single mother to winning Most Promising Business in the United Kingdom in the British Chamber of Commerce Awards.
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum offers a peer-to-peer mentoring programme to help its 300+ members, with more than 100 experienced business leaders willing to share their extensive experience with others.
The Entrepreneurs' Forum support more than 300 aspirational North East business owners in all sectors, helping to expand their networks, improve leadership skills, share experience, create new opportunities and grow their business. For more information call 0191 500 7780 or visit www.entrepreneursforum.net
