Comments on: Every Startup Needs a Mentor Team

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:08:36 +0000

Q: Why would someone want to be a mentor if he isnt being paid? what’s in it for him?

A: It’s called “pay it forward”. It’s also the same reason that people volunteer. While it may not necessarily be a totally selfless gesture, there are a number of non-financial motives for a mentor to help a young business person.

By: Nathan Lustig

Nathan Lustig — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:42:26 +0000

Most people who have been successful have had other people help them out when they were just getting started. I can think of six people who helped me for free when I was a 19 year old with no business experience. Most other entrepreneurs have similar experiences. They want to give back to others who are in their situation now. Most mentors want to feel like they are helping someone. Mentors are also curious about new technologies and projects people are working on.

A good mentor doesn’t call a meeting unless there is a big problem. A mentee calls a meeting or sends an email or picks up the phone when he needs help.

Since most of these relationships are not formalized, its fairly easy to stop calling/setting meetings if you find someone to not be helpful. Many people dislike group projects because the people you had to work with were not helpful. Mentors are helpful.

By: corky

corky — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:48:07 +0000

Why would someone want to be a mentor if he isnt being paid? what’s in it for him? How do you avoid meetings for the sake of meetings? How do you get rid of a mentor that you later conclude isnt being very helpful/smart? What does the mentor want from you? Can you work comfortably with mentors if you always hated group projects in school?

By: Lorne D Smetaniuk

Lorne D Smetaniuk — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:04:18 +0000

Latest News: Every Startup Needs a Mentor Team http://bit.ly/4fF6Ea