Mentoring: Helping You Improve Your Lead Generation

A lead generation campaign can be a real eye-opener. There are so many things that can happen during the campaign, so many variables that had to be considered in generating qualified sales leads, that you might end up getting all confused. You can liken it to steering a boat without a paddle. Very troublesome. This gives you more reason to have a mentor at your side. Asking help from someone who has been there and has done that. And do not start thinking that this is a stupid exercise. You can never tell what you might learn from them. They can come from all walks of life, from different industries or disciplines (like in telemarketing), but all of them may be able to impart some tips in making your campaign more successful. Of course, you need to take note of four key ingredients to a beneficial mentoring relationship:

1. Have clear expectations - mentors are not mind-readers. They may know a lot about their business, but they have no idea about yours. Talk to them. Be clear on the terms like accountability and intellectual property. On your first meeting, you and your mentor should be able to come to an understanding about your business and where you want it to go. Talk about your goals and responsibilities.

2. Share a mutual respect to each other - this is one of the most crucial factors. If both of you do not see eye to eye, or simple cannot find any common ground, then the partnership is off. Mentees who do not seriously take the time or advice of their mentors will only create friction between them. That is why, at the selection phase, you need to identify a mentor that you will cooperate with. Find someone whom you can trust and respect, while the same time possessing the knowledge and experience that you are in sore need of guidance in.

3. Learn to reciprocate - a mentorship is a two-way street. Both of you can learn from the relationship, based on what you are good at. For example, you might be bad at customer service, but you sure are the best when it comes to generating B2B leads. Your mentor can be a veteran in the hospitality industry, where customer service is king. As a sort of thank-you for the knowledge he shares with you, you can give him useful pointers in terms of finding prospects and appointment setting campaigns.

4. Have shared values - you and your mentor should have similar interests and values, which will help establish a common ground between the two of you. Maybe both of you are active in the community, or devoted family men, or perhaps charitable. Finding something that both of you can share on can mean a big deal in your relationship.

A mentor is someone who throws you a paddle, so to speak. You now have something to steer your boat. All that remains is for you to use it. Take their advice and guidance seriously, and you can be sure to get your lead generation campaign in better shape.