Partner Article

What should a mentor be to you?

I was fortunate enough to develop my own entrepreneurial drive and business instinct early on thanks to my relationship with my enterprising family. I soon discovered the essential ingredients that make an entrepreneur. Anyone can convert goals into deliverables and create a successful business but with a guide, I can confirm first hand, goals become even more achievable and the road becomes less bumpy.

A good mentor can catalyse strategy, help evade pitfalls and equip you with the tools to succeed in life on a professional and personal level. This should be someone who you look up to, admire and of course, trust. They need to be someone who takes an active interest in your development in order to help you succeed in life.

When we were gathering together names in business to sit on our Toucan ‘Mentor Panel’ – bearing in mind that age is no longer a prerequisite to success - we ensured each and every British business leader would dispense targeted advice, pass on and share their successes and good fortune to keep innovation alive for the next generation of great entrepreneurs.

As a seasoned advisor, they can provide lateral thinking from an unbiased perspective and encourage you to think out of the box by honing your thinking. It is therefore key that you are completely honest with your mentor about every aspect of your career – your goals, aspirations, strengths and weaknesses.

Novice or experienced serial entrepreneur, you will have gaps in your skillset and whether you’re at inception, early stage or trying to take your business to the next level, a fresh pair of wise eyes will always help. Two can achieve so much more together.

Toucan’s inaugural conference ‘The Nest’, a networking and educational event for entrepreneurs will be held from 14th-15th January 2016 at the Rosewood Hotel in London. Tickets are now available for sale at www.toucan.co.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rasha Khawaja .