Mentor experience

Has anyone ever sought a mentor in the industry you work in? I've had two mentors throughout my professional life, and both were great opportunities not only for leads, but also to learn. I know that in certain industries, salespeople like to keep leads to themselves and might view mentoring as a threat to this. However, it can also enable them to extend their network as well in the long run.

Just wondering if anyone has had a mentoring experience.

My sponsor in Coastal Vacations is a diligent, professional mentor.

I searched for a sponsor like her ever since I have been trying to build a home business.

She has enjoyed great success in this business over the past 18 months, has formulated a system that's easy to follow, and she is just very focused about teaching her folks how to get into profit as quickly as possible. And that includes providing leads, free world class web sites and the best conference calls and 3-way sponsor calls I've ever participated in.

I like my team players to have a professional, to-the-point, no fluff and nonsense presentation when I invite my prospects to get to know the people in my organization and my sponsor (who is also our Team Leader) is all that with a super freindly personality.

I'm really happy with my mentor - I think I'll keep her

I have had a couple of sales managers give me pointers but nobody has ever taken me under their wing. How do you get someone to mentor you? What is in it for them usually?

I have a great mentor in the carsales business. We just hit it off real well when I started, and he has helped me in many ways. From product knowledge to following up, sending newsletters and has even included me on his deals just to help me learn. Now we mainly help eachother out when he's not here he sends his customers to me and when I'm not here I send them to him. We have become best friends in the 9 months I've been in the business and I dont see that changing. Everyone here at the dealership has made jokes about it because he is old enough to be my dad, but its all in fun. Couldnt ask for a better friend or teacher.

I wouldn't mind something like that - someone to show you the ropes and wants to see you win.

Originally Posted by Thomas I wouldn't mind something like that - someone to show you the ropes and wants to see you win.

Ever thought about advertising for one? People love to be appreciated for their expertise and that's a reward in itself.

Retired people volunteer as business counsellors for an agency
I consulted in Chattanooga, TN many years ago. So I know there
are retired professionals in all areas who would love to have something worthwhile to do with their free time.

I would love to have a mentor. My District Manager seems to be overworked with little time to spare so she wouldn't be a good mentor. I keep intending to contact the woman who was once my Avon Lady years ago. I thought she was very good and I could learn from her. I just need to make that call!

Originally Posted by Thomas I have had a couple of sales managers give me pointers but nobody has ever taken me under their wing. How do you get someone to mentor you? What is in it for them usually?

You'd be amazingly surprised how agreeable people are to mentoring. The best way to start such a process is to find someone you admire and let him or her know that you appreciate how they operate and would they mind if you bought them a cup of coffee once in a while to "pick their brains." Don't become a stalker, and certainly don't give such an impression. Your first encounter with the person should include specific reasons why you feel the way you do, such as.... "I read about the office lease you closed for XYZ Company a few months ago."

If the two of you don't feel a connection, you'll know it right away, and no harm's been done.

I'm definitely going to try that after the Holidays. It sounds like a wonderful way to get good tips and ideas from someone you trust.

If you can find a mentor, it's definetley a good idea. I have someone who I mentored still call me for advice when he has a deal that's stuck, or a big presentation to make. It always helps to have a new set of eyes look at you situation.

Susan