Comments on: How to ask someone to be your business mentor

By: Matthew Stibbe

Matthew Stibbe — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:28:22 +0000

Hi Tim, thanks for the comment. There are a lot of terrible business advisors out there and I would counsel any business owner to be especially careful before they *hire* someone as a business mentor. But the kind of mentoring I’m talking about is free; typically under the auspices of a scheme like the Prince’s Trust. Still, even then, I think business owners need to take advice with a pinch of salt. A lot of so-called advisors are like eunuchs in a harem. They see it done all day but they’re not up to it themselves.

By: Tim - Small Business Development

Tim - Small Business Development — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:08:14 +0000

Good work Matthew.

I’ve been advising business owners for 13 years and the horror stories I hear about would-be mentors are rarely good.

I wish every business owner had your list handy before engaging one, the reputation for mentors would be much higher.

By: business mentors

business mentors — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:47:05 +0000

Business mentors are for your help and not for running your business. Always remember business mentors are for developing your business growth.

By: Dalton Filho

Dalton Filho — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:46:40 +0000

Finally, someone who knows what it feels like being a mentor! Your first point said it all: some people will take a mile if you give an inch. I am quite generous myself, but I’ve been hiding this quality because some people just don’t have a clue. I would add another point: watch out for the bias. Common wisdom has it that nothing is given so freely as advice: many people will simply advise you to be like them. I like mentors who will guide me, but will still allow me to be myself.

By: How To Ask Someone To Be Your Business MentorBusiness Opportunities Weblog

How To Ask Someone To Be Your Business MentorBusiness Opportunities Weblog — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:05:51 +0000

[...] Matthew Stibbe at BadLanguage.com: DOs [...]

By: Business Opportunities Weblog | How To Ask Someone To Be Your Business Mentor

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:09:45 +0000

[...] Matthew Stibbe at BadLanguage.com: DOs [...]

By: David

David — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 12:23:48 +0000

Thanks for those great pieces of advice. It’s easy to say that they’re common sense, but unfortunately so many people don’t practice common sense!

By: Philippa Kennealy

Philippa Kennealy — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 05:15:32 +0000

Hi Matthew

Loved this list – it’s just what my target audience of aspiring physician entrepreneurs needs to help them step away from the independence they are accustomed to, and reach out for help.

In today’s post, I quoted your list of “do’s and don’ts” on my new blog, as you said it better than I could!

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 12:08:06 +0000

The is a very good primer. I asked the leader of a VC angel group that decided NOT to fund my company to be my mentor. My goal was not to convince him that we WERE good enough to get the cash rather getting me where I want to go with the company and overall career.

I created an in depth biography, gave goals, asked questions, etc. We have a very good relationship and I’m concious of not overstepping that boundary into “please tell me what to do with my company”. He’s introduced me to many high level contacts and positioned me as “an expert” to be listened to for some.

Although not critical, I think we can all use this kind of coaching. I try to model his behavior…and if I do it properly, perhaps someday I’ll be a VC and mentor as well.