So what’s it all about? 

If you are thinking about joining Enterprise Bath’s Entrepreneurship Programme one of the things you will benefit from is working with a mentor. You may have worked with a mentor in the past in which case you will be familiar with how the relationship works or it may be a completely new experience for you, in which case you may find the following information helpful in giving you an insight into what to expect from working with a mentor.

The Entrepreneurship Programme, run by Enterprise Bath is specifically designed to support students with the desire to start their own business and develop their skills alongside their academic learning to potentially realise their dreams. Working with a mentor is seen to be an integral part of the programme and complements the skills and knowledge exchange that is gained through the various masterclasses and workshops that are held during the year.   

What is mentoring? 

Let’s start with the theory! 

Eric Parsloe (International Coach/Mentor/Author) stated – ‘Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be.’    

• ‘Supporting’ and ‘encouraging’ implies the process is non-directive 

• ‘Manage their own learning’ suggests that the responsibility for this rests with the mentee 

• ‘Maximise potential, develop their skills, improve their performance’ focuses the relationship on growth and development 

• ‘the person they want to be ‘suggests that the mentee is responsible for establishing their own goals 

Mentoring helps individuals to develop more effectively and build confidence so that they can create a path forward and take control of the factors and events that will inevitably shape their future. 

What does it mean in practice? 

Mentoring is all about a one-to-one experience and it will be very different for everyone depending upon their own personality and needs. It is a relationship that is two-way, non-judgemental and above all independent and respectful. Mentors can offer insights into business or industry and perspectives that may be refreshingly insightful or brutally honest. They will, however, use their experience and knowledge in a facilitative manner to provide the mentee with the best possible support in developing their own thinking.  

The process provides a great sounding board to discuss ideas and approaches before any action is taken and it is a ‘safe’ environment in which new ideas and plans can be developed, discussed and tested. It provides a great opportunity to think about things in a different way, develop new skills and avoid some of the inevitable mistakes that entrepreneurs make when trying to set up a new business.  

The mentoring process will also encourage self-awareness which is a central thread of successful personal development. Being able to listen, interpret, develop and implement ideas is key to a successful mentoring relationship and therefore being open to challenge and criticism is needed to gain the maximum benefit from the relationship. Above all you must be willing to learn. 

The reality of mentoring is that it is the mentee that takes responsibility for making things happen whether that is delivering a particular piece of work by an agreed deadline, undertaking some research or learning a new skill. The mentor will encourage and provide overall guidance but they are not responsible for solving your problems or making things happen. 

How does it work?    

When you join the Entrepreneurship Programme one of the first events that you will be invited and encouraged to attend is ‘Speed Dating’. Speed Dating is usually held in November. Speed Dating is a fun way to meet a wide range of mentors - albeit very briefly! You will spend just a few minutes with every mentor in the room, speaking about your business idea. After every student has spoken with every mentor, the mentees and mentors list their preferences with whom they would like to work with. The Enterprise Bath team will then endeavour to match up individuals. Not everyone gets their first choice but, in our experience, once the introductions have been made the relationship develops well. For those who miss the event or unable to attend a mentor will be suggested by us and introductions made. 

Don’t expect to get off to a flying start. It takes time to develop a relationship and so you should not expect too much too soon. Initially time should be spent getting to know each other. Letting your mentor know more about yourself will enable them to help you more effectively. As a mentee you must have a clear objective about what you are looking to achieve. As with all objectives it should be specific and measurable. Remember it is not the job of the mentor to discover what you are hoping to gain from the experience. 

From the outset you should establish the ‘ground rules’ of the relationship. Mentors are in the main volunteering their services and their time like everyone else’s is at a premium. They usually undertake to give around five hours of their time over a six-month period although many will exceed this commitment. This, however, should not be an excuse to take advantage of the time that your mentor is willing to give you. Planning your time, your agenda and expected outcomes from your meeting is a valuable and key discipline to practice. 

Decide how you would like to meet whether that be live, by video link or by phone. You should also decide the frequency of meetings as soon as you can and confirm whether it's okay to email or call in between scheduled meetings. Make every effort to attend meetings on time and stick to the agenda and time agreed. 

You don’t have to agree or act upon everything the mentor says but you should have a common understanding of what your position is and what aspects of the project you intend to deliver and when. It is important that the relationship between a mentor and mentee is open, honest and respectful. If it is then, although the relationship may not always be harmonious, your work together will be having an impact and you may also have some fun along the way too! 

If for whatever reason you do not feel the relationship with your mentor is working then do not suffer in silence or just drop out of the programme. It is inevitable that sometimes the chemistry between two individuals just does not work and it is best to face up to reality and endeavour to find someone with whom you can have a more productive relationship. If you do find yourself in this position then speak, in confidence, to Enterprise Bath who will endeavour to match you up with someone more suitable. 

What are the benefits of Mentoring? 

Unsurprisingly there are benefits for both Mentors and Mentees.  

The process of mentoring increases confidence both ways. Whether it’s the ability to share ideas comfortably in meetings or stand up for yourself when you are being challenged, people who have been mentored benefit from higher confidence in themselves. Mentors also experience an increase in self-confidence, as their mentees success reaffirms their abilities resulting in a confidence boost. 

Improving your self-awareness - Working out your goals with someone you trust requires considerable self-analysis around strengths, weaknesses and values. Self-reflection, openness, honesty about oneself and preparedness to adapt are key developmental attributes and key life skills. 

Exposure to new ways of thinking. For both mentor and mentee, the mentoring process exposes new ideas, ways of thinking and problem solving that are beneficial to both parties. This iterative learning process is invaluable in breaking through established barriers and creating an innovative and breakthrough culture. 

Giving and receiving feedback - Giving and receiving feedback is easier said than done. An open, honest and positive relationship creates an environment in which these, sometimes difficult, exchanges can be undertaken in an honest and effective manner.   

Who are the mentors?   

All of the mentors associated with the Entrepreneurship Programme are experienced individuals who either hold or have held senior positions in corporate roles, have been entrepreneurs in their own right, academics or investors. They are drawn from a large cross-section of business and industry and have extensive experience of working in a variety of roles within most business sectors. 

Most mentors have been mentoring for some time and are used to the challenges often faced by mentees. You will find that they are friendly, trustworthy and credible. They will be used to adapting their mentoring style to gain the maximum benefit for the mentee and will work alongside them to ensure they achieve their goals and ambitions. 

Although mentors have considerable experience, they will not necessarily have all the answers. The benefit of the mentor network we have is that we can call upon the help of other mentors to provide specialist insight where necessary. 

When working with a mentor is combined with the fantastic range of masterclasses and workshops we provide this results in a comprehensive package of information and support for anyone wishing to become an entrepreneur. 

How to get in touch for further information 

If you would like to join the Entrepreneurship Programme and subsequently match with a mentor you can do so by joining our Microsoft Teams page here. We advise you to introduce yourself and your business if you’re ready to start working on your business now.

If you are already on the programme but have not yet been matched with a mentor, please contact the Graduate Enterprise Manager, Siobain Hone.