September 2005This month's featured article focuses on Using Mentors. Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction. "The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own." Benjamin Disraeli Use Mentors For Success! Webster’s definition of a Mentor is: Mentors have helped me to build several successful businesses in less time with less hassle. A mentor can help YOU advance in your career or business. “I believe that a smart person learns from their mistakes but a truly wise person can learn from others mistakes to achieve their success in half the amount of time and expense.” My experience with a mentor In 1993, I was in the early stages of planning a gourmet coffee shop concept. I sought successful examples to model. Although there were very few on the East coast (there were no Starbucks at the time), through persistence I found a business doing something similar to my idea. Introducing myself to the owner (Bill), I informed him of my plan to open my own cafe. Assuring him that I would not be a direct competitor, I asked if I could sit down with him sometime to ask questions. Bill agreed to share the secrets of his success with me and we developed a wonderful rapport. We next decided it would be beneficial if I worked with him for a week. Working in the business beside Bill was an invaluable tool. Through this, I was able to learn the nuances of the coffee business and the differences between beans from various countries of origin, as well as how to roast and prepare gourmet coffee beans. After spending a week in his store I realized that if I was going to call myself an expert in this business, I needed more training. Bill was so helpful and knowledgeable that I hired him to help me get started. He provided me with the necessary training, helped me choose the right location, select the best vendors and even helped me with the design of the store. Then, on opening day, because he was so invested in my success, he showed up with his own team to work with us, to make sure we got off to a great start. The result was a polished, professional, top quality image and product right from the start! Words of Caution Never follow someone’s advice blindly; one size does not fit all. Mentors Improve Success When struggling with sales and marketing, seek the help of someone who is masterful in getting results in that area. Listen to their advice and learn from them. Just remember, limit your questions to their expertise. For example, you shouldn’t ask a marketing specialist where to purchase your raw materials. Where Could A Mentor Help You? Identify those areas where you or your business need help: • Sales & Marketing • Management • Leadership • Human Resources • Product Development • Planning Once you have identified the areas where you need help. Find mentors to help you. Here are some ways to find mentors.
Asking For Help is a GOOD thing! Asking for and receiving help is a sign of intelligence and strength and it is definitely, not a weakness. These tips I share with you are a combination of personal experiences and proven results that have helped me to build several successful businesses. Feel free to use them for your own success. A Weekend by the Ocean that Click here to learn about this exciting workshop that Steve is involved in. "My chief want in life is someone who shall make me do what I can." A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. ~ Unknown In order for you to do something you've never done, you have to be someone you've never been." Les Brown, speaker and author
Break it down and start it up! The following tip may help you get started and stay on track! One wonderful tip that I received from my professional organizer and friend Margaret Crawford of Crawford Organizing Solutions is to ask yourself this simple question before starting a project. This simple question makes getting started and staying on track so much easier. I have started using it in my life and business and recommending it to my coaching clients. Here's my own example I need to produce a newsletter for next month. The next day, ask yourself again - What is my first next step... For my newsletter my first next step would be - to do research on the subject I have chosen. I can do that. You get the idea, It Makes managing projects and time so mush easier. Try it out on one of your pending projects. Are you tired of struggling with your business everyday? Do you sometimes get to the end of your day and wonder if you did anything to move your business forward? These are common complaints I hear from entrepreneurs every day. I help them eliminate the struggle. I work with them to take control and run their business - instead of letting the business run them. If you are tired of the struggle and not reaching your potential - I invite you to call me for a FREE, no-obligation sample session. The free coaching session is a $75.00 Value. The sample session will be an active coaching session working on your goals.
About Steve Steve Kennedy
is a personal coach specializing in working with entrepreneurs. Copyright (c)
2005, all rights reserved. You may copy, forward or distribute Tools for
WINNING The Game Newsletter provided the copyright notice and full information
for contacting Steve Kennedy are included.
Published by: U.S.A |
|---|
