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Points to Ponder:
An original definition of a Mentor is ‘a guide, a teacher, a wise person’. Another dictionary defines a Mentor as ‘an experienced and trusted counsellor’.
An MRT Business Mentor is all of the above.
An MRT Business Mentor provides an opinion (and reasons for that opinion) on the business decisions and directions a client should take. This opinion is often expressed as “Well, if it was me, I would now (opinion) for (reasons) - but the decision is up to you (the client)”. This type of terminology, together with the Confidentiality Agreement and Release, protects the Mentor and MRT in today’s litigious world. It is recommended that the word ‘advice’ is not used.
There are no set rules for mentoring. Mentoring styles will obviously vary, as they are dependent upon the characteristics and personalities of the Mentors, the individual Clients and their businesses – and the type of problems involved.
An important attribute of a good mentor is the ability to effectively listen to what the Client is saying. Many people listen without really hearing!
The prospective and existing small business client is really looking for a friendly, sympathetic hearing from someone they can trust and respect. They have asked MRT for help either because they have been refused help elsewhere, they can’t afford professional help or because they simply don’t know where else to go. They are often in a distressed state of mind and view the MRT program as the last resort - a lifeline.
Many MRT Clients have little or no business training and, very often, a low-to-moderate level of educational achievement. Discussions should therefore be maintained at the Client’s level of understanding.
Mentoring is also teaching – the Client should learn from the experience that the Mentor brings.
An MRT Business Mentor is not there to make decisions for the Client – but to provide opinions (and reasons for the opinions) as to the business decisions the Client should make. It is the Client’s decision as to whether they implement those opinions.
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