I’ll bet we’ve all heard someone say, “I wish I’d known that when I was starting out. I’d have done things differently.” Whatever “that” was. That insight or information changed the way the person perceived a challenge or a choice.
When most of us think of a mentor, I’ll bet an image of a wise, older person comes to mind, a sage, that venerable person of sound judgment. Yet, age alone doesn’t bestow that on anyone. Experience ranks high on the list, along with an ability to give an objective point of view. A mentor can be older, younger, or the same age as the mentee.
What do Mentors do?
Franchise mentors may not have all the answers, but they’ve certainly tackled a myriad of issues a new franchisee might face in their first years of business. They can also provide you with an accountability partner, simply by being willing to check in on a new franchisee who is responsible for their own unit. Sometimes just knowing that someone else cares about your progress can make a big difference.
One of the benefits of investing in a franchise, to begin with, is the infrastructure already in place. You don’t have to recreate the wheel. Training is part of the package, as well. However, many franchisees don’t come into their new franchise business with hands-on experience in that particular field or endeavor.
After you’ve completed your training, you may still have questions or concerns. Most franchise companies will assign a franchise coach to start. In addition, a new franchisee could also have a seasoned mentor. That could be a successful franchisee that enjoys giving back. They match you with a mentor who can give you additional real-world experience. Best of all? Plenty of time for questions.
A franchise consultant can help you at the beginning of your franchise exploration to find the right fit between you and your business investment. A mentor can help you along your franchise journey. If you’ve been downsized, are facing ageism in your career search, or are simply ready to take the reins of a business venture, contact me today at dpleuss@franchoice.com.