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7 Strategies For Making A Mentoring Relationship Work

Startup Professionals Musings

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness. When you meet with a mentor, you should lead the discussion.

Mentor 151
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6 Success Stages Every Entrepreneur Idea Has To Pass

Startup Professionals Musings

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. It seems like everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and get rich these days.

Ideas 136
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6 Ideas To Recover From Business Resource Challenges

Startup Professionals Musings

Ironically, as a startup investor and mentor, I have seen too many failures caused by just the opposite – too much money spent too soon, taking time to get product perfection, and assuming customers will wait.

Resource 112
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6 Ways To Develop A Business To Support Your Solution

Startup Professionals Musings

Almost every entrepreneur starts their journey by developing a solution, based on their idea of a new technology or required service. These idea and developer skills are necessary, but not sufficient, to build a business. Create and use new networks to tap new ideas.

Develop 110
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5 Practices For Developing A World-Class Startup Team

Startup Professionals Musings

In my many years of experience in business, and recent work as a mentor to entrepreneurs, I have seen the business world change, and can relate well to his five success practices paraphrased here: Build the team from people with a shared obsession. Incent them to focus and always look to the future.

Class 155
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5 Reasons Every Smart Business Owner Seeks A Mentor

Startup Professionals Musings

As a long-time mentor and business advisor, I find it ironic that many look only to friends for advice. They forget that friends tell you what you want to hear, while good mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you probably don’t need the mentor anymore, but you always need the friend.

Mentor 72
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Don’t Ask a Best Friend to be Your Startup Mentor

Startup Professionals Musings

Mentors tell you what you need to hear. When the message is the same from both, you don’t need the mentor anymore. In that sense, you should think of a mentor more like your advisor who has done all he can. Also don’t confuse a business mentor with a business coach. You need someone who: Applies pragmatics to your ideas.

Mentor 101