Essays, Reports and Articles
Mentoring

Business Mentors - Building Success and Business Community
Leigh Kibby
-Kinematic

Mentoring is evolving into one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools for Australian business. Whilst bordering on being one of the "soft skills", it is fast becoming one of the hard realities that makes a real difference.

The pressures of business today mean we have to work smarter and better to be successful. We also have to work together and establish a sense of community within business. A well run Business Mentor program provides the edge to be more successful whilst also building the web of connections and trust that foster community.

A Mentor is a cross between a consultant and a counsellor with none of the cost of the former and all of the caring of the latter whilst retaining a sense of the bottom-line and the importance of financial realities. The Mentor also brings a rich history of experience and wisdom learnt in the school of life - an invaluable asset that can reveal hidden opportunities and help avoid pitfalls and mistakes.

There are two key aspects to a Business Mentor program:

1. Bridges - a system for making contacts; and
2. Modelling - a process for acquiring critical skills.

The themes and process that ensure success are A.I.M.S. and T.R.U.S.T.

• Attitude -the attitude of the Mentor and the way to communicate an appropriate attitude. 
• Investment -the relationship is the investment not the outcomes. 
• Mutuality -sharing a common style or reciprocal feelings. 
• Story -the message and how it is told 

• Truth -honesty must be the first priority, it is the core for building trust. 
• Rapport -using listening skills effectively. 
• Unearthing -revealing ALL issues and options. 
• Strategies -considering options using the "seventh hat." 
• Tactics -action steps. 

By using AIMS and TRUST, you can develop a strong Mentor network that will benefit business, the community and build a real business community.

©1997 Leigh Kibby

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