MENTORING. 
Business leaders are not born – they are created. Effective training and mentoring are the foundations of most successful managers, chief executives or business owners. Business leaders of the future must learn from those that are in leadership positions today.
Future proofing your business means investing in your people to create the next generation of managers. A willingness to learn and sometimes sacrifice in order to reach goals is an absolute requirement in today’s fast-moving corporate environment – but somebody needs to guide the next generation.
Training is important in any field. Proper training is even more important in today’s demanding business environment. As a business owner or manager you should invest in the future of your business by mentoring those who are willing to learn. These people will take your business to new heights. They will bring fresh insight and in years to come keep the business moving forward.
In choosing to become a mentor for one or two talented people in your team, you should prepare to impart your knowledge, experience and tips for success. The advice and instruction that you give could be invaluable to the future of your business.
Natural talent is very difficult to find. However, if you have one or two talented people in your team take them under your wing and help them to develop their skills. Those that are mentored will bring an eagerness and flow of new ideas to your business. Your mentoring programme should be built on the following foundations:
- Providing career development advice
- Offering your future managers / leaders an opportunity to develop new skills and expertise
- Providing access to new, commercial perspectives
- Enhancing networking opportunities for your team
- Setting goals (SMART objectives)
Refining organisational awareness and “big picture” thinking.