Client Question: “My manager suggested that I get a mentor to help me learn more about the business. I think it is a great idea, but I am not sure how to find one or what to say to them?”
Let’s start with the feedback you got from your manager. There are usually two types of feedback you receive on learning about the business: Focus more on learning more about the business in general or learning about a specific part of the business.
It is always a good thing to understand the business in general. To do this effectively, you may want to start at the 10,000 foot level and work you way down into more details. It will help to provide perspective and context as you learn and will help you fill in the blanks. Here are a few other things to consider:
- Do some research on your own to read through the company overviews and quarterly business updates.
- Who do you know that can connect you to people or recommend people in the business?
- Ask for recommendations of people who can provide you the overall business picture at a high level and in key functions
- What are the key functions that you want to learn more about?
- What functions touch the area that you work in the most?
- Should you meet with certain functions first?
Once you have some specific areas, then you will need to consider these questions so you can get to the right outcome:
- What level in the organization should the mentor be to provide you with the best information and to help connect you with others?
- Do you need an overview of the area or do you need more details?
- Do you want someone who understands just their area or how their area interacts with other areas as well?
- Is this going to be a one time discussion or are you looking for an on-going mentor?
What do you say to a potential mentor if you don’t know them and want to introduce yourself. (If your connection to them will introduce you, then they can help build some initial context into an email to this person for you)
- Let them know who recommended them to you to build a connection quickly
- Share the reasons that you would like to connect with them, what you are hoping to learn and why you chose them
- How much of their time are you expecting them to give you?
- Prepare a list of things that you want to know more about and specific questions that you would like to ask them
- Ask them if they would like you to set up the meeting or work with their admin to do set up time
As you are meeting with them, then you can also find out if they have recommendations of some others that would be good connections. Thank them for their time and be sure to offer your help if they need anything from you.
Business mentors can really help you connect the dots and how your specific area fits into the big picture. This business perspective helps you make decisions and you will have a better understanding of the impacts to other areas in the company. This type of business knowledge also helps to prepare you for future leadership opportunities and expands your network inside the organization. You will have a list of people to reach out to if you have questions in the future or need to ask them for input. These types of relationships are invaluable as the organization continues to go through changes. It will also help you see what other areas in the organization do and if it could be a potential fit for you someday.
Throughout your career, you will have many mentors depending on what you want to learn. In addition to their business knowledge, these mentors can also share their own stories and experiences of how they progressed in their own careers. You can also learn how they became leaders, make decisions and use their influence in the organization. Share your own story and where you want to go in your career. You never know what connection you make along the way that can be the catalyst to help you get what you need and where you want to go.