5 Things to Look for in a Virtual Mentor [Black Enterprise]

Black Enterprise Columnist Marshawn Evans tells how to expand your options with a ‘virtual’ network. View the original post here.

Most professionals desire access to a quality mentor whom they can learn from and emulate. But what makes a good mentor? According to media mogul Oprah Winfrey, “a mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” I wholeheartedly agree!

Now, you might think that your boss should be the one to help you with this magnificent discovery and help you get from point A to point B; but it doesn’t always work like that! As I discussed in my previous column (“The Problem with Traditional Mentoring“), securing a mentor can be challenge…until now.

You can either wait for someone to take an interest in you, or you can be proactive and take an interest in others who are already interested in helping you–someone like a virtual mentor.

Virtual mentoring is essentially distance coaching that takes place online, during group tele-seminars and one-on-one coaching via the telephone, or on social media. Your virtual mentor can be an expert (which I highly recommend) who has dedicated his or her career to mastering a subject or skill and then teaching others how to do the same. Alternatively, your virtual mentor may not be a formal business coach. Instead, he or she could be a professional who is an industry leader or someone whose career path and success you admire.

Clearly, the Internet makes accessing information easier than ever before. Now that we live an interactive, web 2.0 world, we can do more than just access information, we can engage it and interact with it before we apply it.

This is extremely significant for executives (and entrepreneurs) alike – although I don’t think most realize it. You see, now you can gain direct access to a person or community of thought leaders that are committed to your development. And, trust me, you need someone who is a dedicated to making sure you win in the marketplace. You need a virtual mentor, but you need the right one.

Here the top 5 things you should look for in a virtual mentor.

1. Proven Expertise. You want to make sure that the person you are looking to has been where you want to go. Otherwise, you will likely waste your time following someone who is essentially incapable of effectively guiding and leading you.
2. Proven Ability. Having business acumen does not necessarily mean you can teach it! Too many professionals look to people who are successful, but poor teachers. A great mentor is a great teacher. Search for someone who has the proven ability to teach and get results in helping others grow.
3. Genuine Concern. The problem with having a traditional mentor randomly assigned to you is that the mentor may or may not have a sincere interest in developing you. The success rates of “assigned” mentors are pitifully low. In looking for a virtual mentor, you get to pick who YOU want. You can search for subject matter experts who have a genuine passion about developing you.
4. Frequency. When selecting a virtual mentor, assess how frequently the individual provides content and information. You should be able to “test-drive” the virtual mentor with little or no investment. I recommend you treat it like a trial period where you can assess the frequency and quality of information shared. For example, when someone joins my network, they are able to connect with me via a weekly newsletter, read my book (which has tons on advice), or by keeping up with me on Twitter or Facebook. In this capacity, I get to virtually mentor thousands of people everyday. Information provided by any virtual mentor should be easily and readily accessible.
5. Selectivity. Make sure that the virtual mentor you are evaluating is selective and focused in the material they choose to cover. Be very wary of generalists – a person who claims to be an expert in everything! Further, you need to be selective, too. The downside of the Internet is there can be too much information, which can make it challenging for you to stay focused. Confused people do nothing! So, make sure that you avoid information overload, which is a common by-product of listening to too many people. Find the expert that resonates well with you and stick with that person.

Remember, what you listen to ultimately leads you. Listening to the right virtual mentor (or mentors) is key to moving in the right direction.

In the next installment, I will share some advice on how to develop a relationship with a virtual mentor who is not a professional business coach. In the interim, share with me your thoughts.

What criteria would you add to the list? Do you think there any downsides to virtual mentoring? Leave your comments below!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Marshawn Evans, Esq., is a weekly career columnist for BlackEnterprise.com. She is President of ME Unlimited LLC, a peak performance agency, and is Founder of ME University® – the industry’s premier resource for profitable brand strategy. She is author of the bestselling book, SKIRTS in the Boardroom: A Woman’s Survival Guide to Success in Business & Life (2008). Connect with her online at www.marshawnevans.com, on Twitter at @marshawnevans and on Facebook at ME Unlimited by Marshawn Evans.

Have a question for Marshawn? Continue the conversation on her BE INSIDER NING page at beinsider.ning.com/MarshawnEvans.

Paul Carrick Brunson’s Tips for Choosing Your Mentor

View the original post on DesireeMMondesir.com!

Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in my first #MentorMonday hosted by none other than Mr. Paul Carrick Brunson! It was a power-packed hour of wisdom, fun, and interaction with other like-minded individuals. If you missed it, you can watch the Spreecast playback here.

In this #MentorMonday session, I was able to come on screen and meet my new friend Paul and ask him my question! This was my [paraphrased] query.

I had an individual that I do NOT know approach me on Facebook to mentor me. He had me sign up for an appointment which—unbeknownst to me—turned into a coaching session. This is VERY awkward. How do I deal with this??

After sharing some laughs about this individual being kinda creepy Paul went ahead to share some tips on how to actually select a mentor. Here they are!

3 Tips for Choosing a Mentor:

1) Choose a Mentor Whose Values Align with Yours.

This is personally my number one. Mentors I subscribe to share my values and spiritual beliefs. I find it difficult to connect fully with individuals whose spiritual values differ from mine.

This is also a tip that can go across the board for selecting friends, love interests, etc.

Can two walk together unless they are agreed? (Amos 3:3)

Think about it: if prayer and faith make up your belief system, then can you truthfully select a mentor who’s willing to cut corners and cheat to “succeed” in business and life? I think not.

2) Choose a Mentor Who Walks the Walk.

If you’re like me, then you’ve been approached by many who CLAIM to be “experts” in their fields. Now I believe just like the next person in constructive embellishment. However, there is a distinct difference between embellishing and lying. And honestly, you don’t want a mentor who needs to embellish: they are what they are and their fruit (i.e. clients, financial revenue, proven wisdom, etc.) reflects that.

Choose the mentor that practices what they preach. Period.

3) Choose a Mentor Who is Accessible.

Paul gave an excellent example of accessibility. If President Barack Obama offers to mentor me, that’s a lovely thought on his part, but it’s not realistic. When would the POTUS and most influential individual in the world have time to mentor anyone?? That’s a very lovely pipe-dream. Maybe we could talk when his term is up?

Choose a mentor who is readily available to you: they actually respond to your emails, they call you back, they make time for you. As wise and helpful as the person may be, if they don’t have time for you—or won’t make time for you—then they are not the right mentor for you.

BONUS TIP: You select your mentor, not the other way around.

If an individual approaches you (especially the way I was approached), that person more often than not, has an agenda not conducive to your destiny.

Only you can select your mentor because you know what you are looking for. If you follow these criteria and pray about it, then you are sure to meet the right mentors for your life!

Starting searching for the right mentor today!

If you want Paul to mentor you, sign up for his next #MentorMonday event!  You can also visit his website, follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook, and check out his Youtube channel!

Visit Paul’s Website!

Buy His Book: It’s Complicated (But Doesn’t Have to Be)!

Like Paul on Facebook!

Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulCBrunson!

Subscribe to Paul’s Youtube Channel!

Martin Luther Had Pamphlets, You Have Manifestos

View the original post on DesireeMMondesir.com!

Over the past few months, I’ve been studying reformation. The historical figures Martin Luther and John Knox. The not-so distant Nazi opposers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and those involved in the White Rose Movement. They had one main thing in common: their reformation came through information. And that information was printed on pamphlets.

When the rebellious Benedictine monk acted on his righteous indignation over the travesties enacted by the Catholic Church, he nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg Castle Church door.

They were soon printed—along with many other works—on pamphlets distributed far in wide to the German masses.

The young people who headed up the White Rose Movement made their non-violent protests against the inhumane acts of the Nazi-powered Third Reich distributed their righteous beliefs in the form of leaflets.

These were short works, manifestos, expressing their beliefs, values, and guiding principles.

When a reformation occurs, it often comes with manifestos that outline its belief system.

Some not-so great examples are The Communist Manifesto, The Homosexual Manifesto, The Humanist Manifesto, and a world-wide favourite, Mein Kampf.

However, there are some other excellent, godly manifestos as well such as A Christian Manifesto by the late Dr. Francis Schaffer as well as The Reformation Manifesto by Prophet Cindy Jacobs. (I own both of these and they are EXCELLENT, RIVETING reads!)

We may not all be reformers in the areas of religion and government, but maybe you are a thought leader in another area. Business, writing, dancing, whatever! God gives us all ideas for our spheres of influence. It’s our job to share those ideas and belief systems with the world.

With the advent of eBooks in iPad, Kindle, Nook, and PDF formats, it is now easier than ever to express these ideas through eBooks and manifestos.

I’ve written manifesto, my first one, and it will be coming to you soon!

I won’t pretend to be Luther, Bonhoeffer, or Jacobs, but I do have the mind of Christ!

Write your manifesto today! Nail your theses to your walls on Facebook, tweet them on Twitter, pin them on Pinterest, and share them on Tumblr!

You have no excuse.

Get to writing!

P.S. Check out this Google Image search on manifestos and find what piques your manifesto-writing interest!

Giving it Up—for FREE

View the original post on DesireeMMondesir.com!

You may consider this blog a sequel to “An Author’s #1 Enemy.” 

I remember when I first discovered Tyler Perry. DVDs of his plays would come into our house. Hopefully purchased *fingers crossed*, many borrowed, and we fell in love with Tyler Perry.

This was when the now movie mogul was doing the “chicken circuit” in the “black areas” of the South, East Coast, L.A. and the like. The only actors we recognized were the likes of Tamela Mann and any other who might have previously sung with Kirk Franklin and the Family (back when Kirk was still singing on his albums—a LONG time ago).

I wasn’t the only one who got introduced to Mr. Perry this way. Black folks across America did. Some of you reading this probably did.

Then, even in his humble beginnings, we became part of Tyler Perry’s tribe.

Now look at him! He’s just released a blockbuster hit, Temptation based on his stage play “The Marriage Counselor.” He’s got a new drama series (translation = soap opera) on OWN called The Haves and the Have Nots, is doing some Madea-Sophia collaborations with Oprah which is a stupidly-brilliant idea, joining the Madea and The Color Purple franchises the way they are, and that’s just this summer!

And guess what, he’s not just catering to black people now!

The man is literally creating a new, minority-friendly Hollywood in Atlanta and there’s no stopping him now.

You don’t have to like him, but you must respect the hustle.

But if you ask me, it all started with the bootleg DVDs.

Now pleeeease hear me, I am NOT supporting piracy. However, I AM promoting free, worthwhile gifts from your entity to the world.

If you are a writer, you can write an eBook or manifesto. (I’ll blog on manifestos next.)

If you are a singer, you can drop a mixtape.

If you are a choreographer, you can teach a free bootcamp.

Whatever your specific niche is, you can discover a way to serve your gift for free.

(This is also a really great way to gather honest testimonials on your work.)

Here’s the key: what you give away must be of undeniable value to the recipients.

Think about it: if you give away your mixtape or eBook to 5; 50; 500; or 5,000 people, that’s 5; 50; 500; or 5,000 people who wouldn’t have been exposed to your work otherwise.

AND if your product is of value to those people, they’ll pass the word along—or the product itself—to those in their acquaintance. The possibilities are astronomical.

I’m not promising that you’ll become the next Tyler Perry, C.S. Lewis, or Laurieanne Gibson; however, I will promise what the Scripture promises: that if you are diligent, your gift will make room for you and bring you before influential individuals.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16)

He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. (Proverbs 10:4)

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. (Proverbs 12:24) 

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)

Create something of value to give away today!!

An Author’s #1 Enemy

See the original post on DesireeMMondesir.com!

Any publisher reading this post would blow of fuse from the content…here’s why.

Because I admonish you to give away your writing.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Don’t give away all of it, but give away something. You guys know I like to give away free PDFs of my work to my subscribers. There are also many other authors who do the same.

We do it for two reasons:

1. We understand that serving our gift is the most important thing. (And who doesn’t like free gifts?!)
2. We want as many people as possible to get their hands on our work.

The people who think this method is insanity, don’t understand how the internet—and world—is presently set up.

They think if you give away something, you lose, but they’re wrong.

If you give away something, that means someone who previously wasn’t aware of you or your work now knows. And if they like it, they’ll pass it on.

Think about the last bootleg movie you saw. If you liked the movie, you bought it, or the sequel. If you liked the actor(s), you sought out other movies the actor(s) was in. And guess what, you told people about both.

Now this isn’t an advertisement for piracy, but it is a wake-up call that piracy isn’t death to an artist or art form. It’s life.

The enemy is not piracy, it’s obscurity. (Tim O’Reilly)

If people like your eBook, or your podcast, or your video, that they share it with people who share it with people who share it with more people, that’s not a bad thing. Not in the least. It’s amazing! Because now all of those people become your fans.

So now I ask you, what can you give away that would be of worth to someone else?

Check out this post and video to Michael Hyatt discussing this and more with Seth Godin!

Finding Your Niche (The Birth of BCBG)

When I first considered creating and launching BCBG, I did not set out to be as specific in my niche as I now am.

I’d read a great LearnVest article on stiletto clubs and decided that I wanted to create one for Christian businesswomen. I thought that would be specific enough. So I started inquiring.

I utilized LinkedIn and Facebook to message all the Christian businesswomen I could to see who would be interested in such a group and then I made an interesting discovery: the vast majority of the women who responded were black. In fact, over 80%!

It would seem that without even trying, my niche carved its own self out and I knew what I had to do.

At the risk of offending and excluding the lovely non-black women who were interested in this new venture, I new I had to forge ahead with my new specialized demographic: black Christian businesswomen. Hence the name: Black Christian Businesswomen Group a.k.a BCBG and who doesn’t love some BCBGs??

You ladies can also learn from this lesson. Specialize, specialize, specialize!! Carve out that niche and let the data speak for itself! Find the need and meet it!

The only way you will succeed in business is by finding a specific need and meeting it.

So now here we are, specialized, engines raring, and ready to go! Will you take the journey with me as I launch BCBG??

Register for our mailing list today!!