May 07 Articles

What does a Business Mentor do?

Or should that be more precisely be, what does Nicholas Fraser, Business Mentor do?

Good question; not a BDQ (Bloody Difficult Question) as I know the answer to it but it does bear explanation. I have tried in other articles to give an understanding of the activity namely

It’s lonely at the top - www.smmentors.com/lonelyatthetop.html

And

Mentoring is good for you - www.smmentors.com/mentoring.html but there is more to it than maybe those portray.

A catalyst for action,
A focus for thinking about the needs of the shareholder
And the needs of the business too.

But to be quite honest though, as in many things just reading the words does not do it justice. You have to experience it; hence the request to meet for a no obligation hour. In that introductory period the essence of what I do should become clearer. Each client and associated business is unique and as a consequence there is no typical approach aside from an open, non judgemental perspective with a focus on helping the MD to find the best way forward for them and the business.

At times all I do is listen and review. With other clients I actively participate. For example with the David Howard Group in Ware after working with the board for 6 months on a business plan I subsequently acted as Non Executive Chairman of the Board for a period of 12 months. This required a number of the usual mentor skill sets

Being detached
Focused on the shareholder interests
Understanding the objectives and strategy of the business
Challenging the board on their decisions

“Nicholas has helped me and my board to transform the business and has helped us focus on the key issues necessary to manage and drive the business forward. He has helped each of the Directors to develop plans for their department and to give the best ideas and service to the company’s customers. He has a great ability to bring a detached view to complex problems and fully understands our commitment to our customers.”

Victor Rawlinson – MD of David Howard Group – leading provider of shirts to retailers

When I sit in on board or management meetings my aim is let the other board members make the decisions and ensure they consider all viewpoints.

For other clients I assist in full strategic reviews and even help in the process of acquisitions or disposals (see Mentoring to sell or buy a business - www.smmentors.com/sell%20or%20buy.html). Here the detached mentoring skill set is useful in fronting discussions and mediating between the parties.

Because of my sales and marketing background I help in the establishment of detailed sales and marketing plans. Even down to copy writing and coming up with creative ideas (once a marketeer, always a marketeer)

Another of my roles has been management evaluation and development. Many companies grow and their management come with them but are not necessarily ready to take on the actions and responsibilities of being a Director. Assessing capabilities and development needs is something I have done and then carrying out one to one sessions to bring the manager forward.

In a number of cases I can’t assist the business either because it is beyond my scope or I do not have the requisite skill sets. In that case I use my network of contacts across the Hertfordshire area (I am a Non Exec Director of the Herts Chamber of Commerce) to link up businesses together.

So there you have it; a trusted, experienced friend and adviser. Who can assist you in growing your business and its staff to meet the challenges of the future. Give me that call today and let’s meet up for that hour to see if I help make things better.