A business mentor can act as a sounding board for new ideas and challenge the way you think about your business.

Jake Lavelle, managing director of JPL Flavours, was initially reluctant to work with a mentor. That changed when he met Jaan Scott, an experienced textiles businessman.

“I’d always been adamant I wasn’t going to be an MD – I wanted to stay working in the lab. It was Jaan who told me that it was tough luck and I just had to do it.”

Jake initially wanted to expand the business and set up a branch in America. He was ready to take the risk, until his mentor came back with a huge amount of information. Jake realised they needed to slow down.

“He’s been on hand to give me advice from HR to manufacturing. Some of JPL’s growth has been down to what we’ve worked on together. If I started stressing, he’d calm me down and tell me it was going to be fine,” Jake said.

Jake's story is typical of many business owners, who are reluctant to work with a mentor but ultimately benefit from the experience. A mentor can:

• Boost your confidence. As well as increasing self belief, they can help you feel more confident about taking the business in new directions
• Provide emotional support. They have usually been through a similar experience so they understand how you’re feeling
• Offer a wealth of experience. They can draw upon this and apply it to your situation
• Challenge your ideas and perceptions. A mentor will give you a fresh perspective that you’re unlikely to get from internal staff

Ask yourself:

Do the same problems keep repeating themselves?

Perhaps you have trouble hiring the right people, managing cash flow or fulfilling orders. When problems keep repeating themselves, it’s best to seek advice.

Do you lack direction and struggle from a lack of feedback?

Many leaders complain that there’s no one to manage them, but this is where a mentor can come in. Regular sessions will give you time to discuss your own role and get feedback on how you’re performing.

Are you in need of more contacts?

Mentors can introduce you to new people and networks, from stockists and suppliers to influencers and other leaders. Again, being clear about the contacts you need means you can be sure they can connect you to the right people.

Are you afraid to take risks?

Being a leader can be lonely, especially if you’re preparing to take the business in a risky direction. Playing it safe is the easier option, but a mentor will help you to take calculated risks and be a sounding board when you need it most.

Do you suffer from self doubt?

Leaders doubt themselves just as much as anyone else, but the absence of a more senior figure can heighten these feelings. A good business mentor will address emotional blockers and reassure you that they have felt the same.

Once you have a better idea of what you want out of a mentor, you can start putting out feelers. Here are some of the best places to start.

Personal contacts

You may not know the ideal mentor personally, but it’s likely that one exists in your wider network. Talk to key contacts and explain what you’re looking for to see if they can recommend anyone. You could even post a request on LinkedIn or message people directly to ask for recommendations.

Get in touch with people you admire

Are there a few people on your wish list? Don’t be afraid to approach them directly to see if they’re interested in working with you. This is the time when it pays to be clear about exactly why you want them to mentor you. They are more likely to be motivated if they can clearly see where they could add value to your business.

Business networking groups

Attend local business networking meetings to increase your opportunities of meeting potential mentors. Online groups on Facebook and LinkedIn are also useful starting points.

Formal mentoring schemes

Mentoring schemes can be a great route to experienced mentors. Be the Business’s Mentoring for Growth programme pairs leaders of small and medium-sized businesses with senior-level mentors who want to share their experience, sector expertise and best practice.

You may choose to have more than one mentor, but always take a strategic approach and be sure about what each individual can offer you.

It’s exciting when someone shows interest in mentoring you. But follow these five steps to make sure you’re laying the groundwork for a successful relationship.

1. Do you have a rapport with them?

Look for a business mentor that you respect for more than just their professional achievements. It’s likely that they will see you through ups and downs that will affect you personally as well as professionally. If you share the same life values, they will be able to support you on an emotional level as well.

2. Do they understand your needs?

A mentor running a business with thousands of employees may seem impressive, but can they appreciate the challenges of growing an SME? Look at their specific credentials, including workplace history and achievements.

3. What will they get out of it?

The best mentor relationships work because both parties are invested. Most mentors are simply keen to help others, but don’t disregard what you can pass on to them. You can provide insight into the challenges faced by today’s growing businesses as well as a fresh perspective to take back to their own company.

4. Are you casting your net wide enough?

It’s tempting to approach the CEO of a company you admire, but they will be hard to reach and focused on their own day-to-day business. Lower profile senior figures may have fewer demands on their time but still have insights and experience to draw upon.

5. Are you selling it to them?

To you, this might be obvious. But mentors will want to know why you think they could help you.

Be clear about how they can be useful to you and explain exactly what you want to achieve from the relationship. Not only will a little flattery help to get you off to a positive start, you’ll also save time setting objectives.

A good mentor will help you navigate business dilemmas. This can be challenging and tough to get used to. It could be the first time that someone has questioned your leadership decisions or encouraged you to try a new direction.

Now is the time to think back to those reasons why you needed a mentor in the first place. Were you stuck in a rut, lacking confidence or struggling to make decisions?

Use these dos and don’ts to guide your working relationship.

• Do ask for context. Mentors aren’t there to tell you what to do, but they should give insight into how they have addressed similar issues. Use their examples and stories to direct you
• Do plan your time together. Schedule regular meetings and prepare an agenda to get the most out of your time together. Follow up each meeting with an email summarising the key takeaways and actions
• Do follow up on your discussions. Do your homework in between your meetings and provide evidence of how you’ve been implementing their suggestions. This shows that you value the relationship and will keep them engaged in the process
• Don’t expect them to do all the work. You won’t be spoon-fed. Your mentor will bring experience, examples and insight, but your input and action is needed too
• Don’t always follow their advice. If discussions don’t feel right for your business, say so. You are still in the driving seat of your business
• Don’t give up on mentors. If you decide that your mentor isn’t best placed to help you, end the relationship professionally and amicably. But don’t let it put you off – the key to success is finding the right person