The importance of networking and mentoring as an entrepreneur

When things are going badly, being an entrepreneur can be an incredibly lonely, challenging existence. Entrepreneurs continually make mistakes in an effort to drive their businesses forward. This is why having a good mentor is crucial. As the CEO and Founder of Cerebra, I have experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, but being mentored in a peer environment, cushioned the falls along the way.

As a business owner, you often have to make quick decisions that can have dramatic repercussions for your company. Without a network of support, or decent mentoring, you can blunder along making mistakes which could have been avoided. Every kind of business can benefit from mentoring, which increases the odds of your success.

Ultimately, you are responsible for the course your company takes, but getting perspective on the decisions you need to make, is invaluable. Often information is not widely available to a new entrepreneur, and this is where networking activity, or mentoring, provides resources. Sound business advice can give you the confidence to make and execute decisions without hesitation, or to consider another route that was not obvious previously.

By joining the Johannesburg Chapter of Entrepreneurs' Organisation, I found that I had access to a hundred individuals, from all walks of life, who were on the same roller-coaster ride as I was. It meant knowing that I was able to speak to seven or eight other business owners, whose companies were in various stages of growth and success, on a monthly basis, and being able to do so in an environment that was non-judgemental and confidential.

As an entrepreneur you have limited time to get your company off the ground, to reach profitability and long-term growth; but prioritising involvement in networking sessions and mentoring groups can actually save you time in the long run, as you avoid trouble-shooting and disaster management through measured decisions and outcomes learned from your network. Sometimes you need a champion to cheer you on and at others an impartial advisor who holds you accountable. Both can be found at the Entrepreneurs' Organisation.

The Johannesburg Chapter of the Global Entrepreneurs' Organisation will be launching the Accelerator Programme for the first time in South Africa on 26 March 2015. The programme is designed to take businesses with a turnover of at least R2m, to the next level of success, with an injection of mentoring, education and networking. EO has the member base and resources to be a major force for change in South Africa. If you identify with this profile and want to be a part of such a movement, you need look no further than www.eoafrica.org.

EO will be giving away a fantastic prize of a place in the Accelerator programme, including a one-year membership and extensive one on one mentoring to one lucky first stage South African entrepreneur valued at R50,000. You can enter via: http://www.eoafrica.org/accelerator-application