At the Empowered Franchisee, we believe deeply in the power of mentoring–and science backs us up. Several years ago, a group of researchers reviewed more than 15,000 mentoring studies to see if they could identify any trends in the data. They found that career mentoring consistently improved mentees’ work performance and job satisfaction, among other benefits. So as a new or aspiring franchise owner, how do you tap into those benefits and find a franchise mentor of your own? This is the first in a three-part series designed to help you find out. Keep reading and come back over the next two weeks for what you need to know!
Etiquette Comes First
Mentors are generally people who love to give to others. They gain satisfaction from helping others succeed and love to see promising individuals reach their full potential. But that doesn’t mean you should take advantage of their generosity. Follow these general rules when finding and working with a mentor to make sure you’re not demanding too much. By building a professional and respectful relationship with your mentor, you’ll also build a successful one.
Start with clear expectations.
Your mentoring relationship will be more successful if you start by making a clear request. Know what you want to gain from the connection and make sure your mentor feels prepared to provide appropriate support. You should indicate this information in your first email to a prospective franchise mentor, or the first time you meet. Make the request politely but directly, e.g., “I’m looking for someone to help coach me in the area of marketing and sales, and our mutual friend Jane Smith suggested that I contact you.”
If a prospective mentor declines your invitation, be professional in your response. Recognize that they don’t feel able to be an effective mentor right now, either due to time constraints or a lack of expertise in your desired area. They’re doing you a favor by encouraging you to find someone who can meet your needs. It’s fine to ask (once) if they know someone else who might be willing to assist you, but don’t be pushy about followups. Trust that, by responding professionally, you’ll keep the door open to potential opportunities down the road.
Be respectful of your mentor’s time.
Unless your mentor has specifically encouraged you to call or text them at any time, confine your communications with them to business hours and default to contacting them by email. This will allow them to respond at the best time for their schedule.
If you need more than about 15 minutes of your mentor’s time, schedule a meeting in advance. Don’t always expect your mentor to be able to meet in person, since that involves the additional burden of travel time. And when you meet, come prepared with specific questions or a topic to discuss. Be aware of the amount of time that’s passing, don’t dominate the conversation (you’re there to learn from them, after all), and finish on time.
Respect boundaries.
Sometimes, mentoring relationships become genuine friendships or may involve some personal coaching. For instance, if you have small children, a mentor who has been through that stage of life might coach you on how to juggle parenthood with launching your franchise. But always start on a professional footing and let your mentor take the lead on sharing personal information.
Also be respectful of business and financial confidentiality. You should never ask a mentor to share trade secrets or competitive information that could undercut their business. And be aware that some mentors may be uncomfortable sharing specific numbers about their franchise. Start by talking about financials in general terms and let your mentor open the door to more specific discussions if they’re comfortable.
Be generous.
Mentoring is generally not a paid arrangement. Your franchise mentor is being generous by sharing their valuable time and expertise, free of charge. Repay them in kind by being generous to them when you have the opportunity. For instance, recommend their business to people who would be good customers. If you meet over coffee or lunch, pick up the check. You can also use Thanksgiving or the end-of-year holidays as an opportunity to send a handwritten note of appreciation or, if your budget allows, a small gift.
Pay it forward.
This may be the number one rule of being a mentee. Many mentors are dedicated to the role because a good mentor made a big difference in their lives years ago. More than anything, they want to see you succeed, and they want to know that what they’ve poured into you will benefit others down the line. So once you’re established as a franchisee and have expertise to offer, pay it forward. You don’t necessarily have to mentor other franchisees–just find a way to turn your success into an investment in your community.
If you’re interested in franchising but need a mentor to help you through the process, our mentoring-focused consultants may be the perfect fit for you. Book a call with Dave or Lauri to learn more about how we can help you start your journey to professional and financial freedom!
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