Stuart Horrex and Bianca de Reus have participated in the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s MentorNet Program. For more information on mentoring, please click here.
The Mentor: Stuart Horrex
Company: Quantum Compass Why did you become a mentor? My partner and I have been involved in a range of enterprises over the years; from start-ups to existing businesses. For us there’s a genuine excitement that’s inherent in small business enterprises. Most small businesses are, at their core, the creation of a passionate person. And working with people who are passionate about their business, who are focused on growing and learning new skills, is always rewarding and inspiring. What were you hoping to get from the experience? To share ideas and experiences. Having been a business owner, mentor, coach, and small business advisor for some time, there’s always an experience (good and bad) to share; and if some of that knowledge and experience can assist another business owner to get where they want to go faster and easier, then all’s the better. On the other side of the coin is my own learning and growth as a business owner… There’s always a new perspective, or a different way of doing things. Facilitating focused conversations is a great way to gain deeper insight. What is the biggest challenge of being a mentor? Establishing clear expectations. We all come to the group, either as ‘Mentors’, or ‘Mentorees’, with a range of expectations. We’re all seeking something. We all have something to learn and we all have something of very real value to contribute. As a mentor it’s always a focus to facilitate a group that recognises and reflects the strengths we discover in each other (and in ourselves!). In the process we develop the trust needed to share the real stories about where we’re at in our businesses. Once we’re in that space, there’s a fantastic opportunity for real growth and lasting success. What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned? With this particular program it was a real adjustment for me to work ‘virtually’. In the past I’ve always coached face-to-face. The ease of which technologies were incorporated into the program, and how they enhanced the experience was quite impressive. There were a number of online collaborative ‘Web 2.0’ tools that I’d never really considered as being central to how my business operates. There’s a great power in a network like this one that brings together business owners who wouldn’t otherwise be able to work and collaborate in ‘real time’ like we do through MentorNet. That’s a huge advantage! It’s opened my eyes to a whole new way of working and communicating…lessons I’ve applied in my own businesses. What would you say to anyone considering being a Mentor in the MentorNet program? It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the personal development and success of other business owners. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to get clearer about your own business, and your own goals too. It will be challenging, it demands work, and it will take you out of your own business, but that’s the point… “Working ON, not IN.” The rewards can be real and lasting. There is no better time… “What are you waiting for… Do it now!” How do you think the use of social media in MentorNet helped you or your experience of the program? Using wikis and blogs through MentorNet has given me the perfect opportunity to experience first hand how they work, and the advantages they provide. Our pod communicated in real time with other colleagues from all over the world. By using these tools MentorNet is better able to connect businesswomen and create networks that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. How do you now use social media within your business? My partner has a Facebook page, friends, constant activity, and there’s something about a wall… While I do subscribe to LinkedIn, I’d be the first to admit that I was a bit slow in recognising the intrinsic value all these social networking tools have. MentorNet helped me come to terms with a lot of these new tools. Blogs have now become central to our online marketing strategy, and how we communicate more personally with our client databases. We also have commenced the development of a wiki page and expanded Facebook listings. Also, all the publicity shots we have for our restaurant business will be made available online just in case anyone is looking for a moodily lit picture of a rather sumptuous plate of eggs benedict or a picture of a well-trimmed hedge. It’s all hits and links… Any additional comments? Working alongside Bianca and the other mentorees in our pod was a great experience. I’d strongly recommend MentorNet, and the ABN to you. Participation in one of these programs is a smart investment in your business future, and in your personal success.
The Mentoree: Bianca de Reus
Company: AurAnima Why did you become a mentoree? To learn from an expert how to effectively run my business. To learn as much as I could in how to progress, implement new ideas and change strategies that have not been successful. What were you hoping to get from the experience? One-to-one mentoring, coaching and support, as well as networking with likeminded women. To change my course of action and move my business from being ‘lazy’ to ‘highly active’. What is the biggest challenge of being a mentoree? Keeping on track and organising time to ensure the recommended action items are done and actually implement them in the business! It is so easy to just work and forget the importance of the new strategies I had learned. What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned? To keep myself distant from the business and to focus on the services I offer and the value I add to my clients instead of ‘selling myself’. What would you say to anyone considering being a mentoree in the MentorNet program? For existing businesses, the program assists you in moving your business forward and/or to the next level. For new businesses it’s great as it gives you a fantastic structure on how to start your business and what areas you need to think about and setup. How do you think the use of social media (blogs, wikis, flickr, del.icio.us) in MentorNet help you or your experience of the program? It saves time!! It’s great to be able to join the program from home, no travelling around! The webinars were fantastic with the privilege of listening to excellent presenters and ‘teachers’. The input everyone has been able to provide via the chat and phone…amazing, inspiring and energising. I have found though that not everyone used the social media tools to their full advantage. How do you now use social media within your business? I use LinkedIn, Facebook and my website and blog to communicate and connect with people, to keep them up to date with news from me and my business. Also for referral and marketing purposes. Any additional comments? It was a fantastic experience, I have learned a lot, in particular the importance of having a business plan and marketing plan. Stuart has provided enormous input and support, as has the MentorNet group. With Stuart’s support, ideas and brainstorming sessions I have been able to change banks (as I was extremely unhappy with the previous one), I have written my business plan, which turned out very different than I initially anticipated. I came up with my tagline “the Power to Be”, and I trademarked my business logo and tagline. I gained great new friends and learned to network more effectively, especially with women who ‘have been there and done that’. So much to learn and take on board. I also learned about the things that I needed to improve on, such as working ON my business and not IN my business. Being consistent in my actions in moving the business forward has been a huge learning curve. Most of all, I gained more confidence and self esteem and now truly believe my business is going to be successful.
