After working with Sandler Training in Chattanooga, not only did Jonathan Frost see a 300% increase in his company’s revenue, but he also found someone who would invest in his own personal and professional growth.
As sales and business consultants, as well as entrepreneurs ourselves, we have a sincere appreciation for the immense amount of responsibility that is heaped on the shoulders of business owners. From providing training to team members, maintaining a strong company culture, to putting out the inevitable fires that come up daily, entrepreneurs have their hands full. Sadly, investing in your own personal and professional growth often gets placed last.
That’s the position Jonathan Frost of J.D. Frost and Company, PLLC, found himself in when he started working with the Sandler Training team in Chattanooga. His company was growing, but Jonathan knew his business wasn’t reaching his fullest potential. He had consistently delighted clients, but his referral business was struggling. He missed the personal accountability that came from having a dedicated mentor that was fully invested in his personal and professional growth.
Jonathan and his team were far from alone. Entrepreneurs often find themselves on an island without anyone to pour into them or provide continued professional development opportunities. Opening yourself up to a mentoring relationship can be one of the most pivotal steps that an entrepreneur can take for the success of his/her business. A recent study by the Harvard Business Review notes that of CEOs that have a mentoring relationship 69 percent felt they were making better decisions and 71 percent felt their company's performance had improved as a result. Perhaps just as powerful, 84 percent of CEOs credited mentors with helping them avoid costly mistakes and become proficient in their roles faster.
The reasoning for a mentoring relationship is quite clear.
- Mentors offer respected advice. Because mentors are by nature experienced in a designated field, their advice can offer a seasoned counsel on challenging situations. By having another respected, neutral party to bounce ideas and scenarios off, CEOs can avoid the lonely feeling that can plague leadership at companies of all sizes.
- Mentors offer an outside perspective. It can often be challenging for CEOs to reach out to other people within the company. The pressure and responsibility that comes with being a leader is intense and can often be lonely because of the consequences of each decision that is made. A mentor from outside the company can offer a fresh perspective from a source that won’t be biased toward a certain outcome. They can simply utilize their expertise to give the CEO their insight on making the wisest choice. Additionally, because of their unique experiences, mentors can suggest strategies based on their background that a CEO might not have considered.
- Mentors can offer inspirational new techniques. Whether it is a new sales strategy or way to communicate with your team members or even how to manage a crisis, a business mentor can reinvigorate a CEO. By reaching outside of your company and remaining teachable, leaders can continue to reach new heights for their company. This not only helps achieve new profitability, but can open your team members to reach their fullest potential and enjoy their career more too.
“Everyone needs a teacher,” said Jonathan. His business, J.D. Frost and Company, experienced an amazing 300% growth in revenue, which he gives significant credit to the accountability and new strategies he learned through our proven Sandler Sales Training and the mentoring relationships he received. “Honestly, simply learning to communicate has made me more effective in all areas,” he said. “It’s been pivotal to our growth.”
Further reading: CEOs Need Mentors Too
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