Mentor vs. Business Coach: Which One Do You Need?

Warren Buffett, one of the successful businessmen, said, "I am 15 percent Fisher and 85 percent Graham." Fortunately, he had a great mentor like Benjamin Graham, who helped him face challenges during his initial phase.

If you are the founder of a new startup or established organization, there must be certain circumstances in which you have to scratch your head but not find satisfactory answers. 

There must be a time in which you require an experienced person who can guide you and direct you towards the right path. But the main question is: would you turn to a mentor or a coach?  What should be right for you?

Do not worry! If you are confused about them, it is not only you; there are many people out there who feel confused about the difference between a mentor and a coach, and they use these words interchangeably. But these are not the same as they sound. 

Turning to a business coach or a mentor depends on the various situations of your company. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide for you. That will help you understand which one you need for your business growth. So, let's get ready to kick off!

What is a Business Coach?

A business coach is a professional who helps startups, companies, and organizations with their skills. They guide individuals in their specific points of journey and solve the problems that they face to grow their brand. Career strategists help in making operation plans, avoiding mistakes, and improving the skills of their clients. 

For example, suppose you have a small firm and are struggling to gain a profit from it. That may happen because of your poor marketing growth strategy and plans. You hire a business coach named Person A. He works closely with you. He guides you in making a sales strategy according to your objectives, values, and preferences. They can set practices and achievable goals for your firm and give feedback on time. 

The primary goal of a business coach is to empower clients to bring positive changes to their organizations so that they can enhance their performance and ultimately grow their entities. 

What is a Business Mentor?

On the other hand, a business mentor is an experienced person who helps startups, companies, and organizations navigate through their complexities. Mentors have an in-depth understanding and wisdom in identifying and finding room for improvement, and they empower their clients to make the right decisions through their valuable support and guidance. 

For example, you start an e-commerce website but cannot find a proper way to manage your responsibilities seamlessly. Here, you get in touch with Person B, who already has a long period of experience running an e-commerce website. You make him your mentor, and he advises you on choosing relevant strategies, software, and tools for your online store. He also encourages you when you feel down and increases your confidence with his support. 

The primary purpose of choosing a business mentor is to enhance your learning, boost confidence, and ultimately open multiple opportunities for startup growth. 

What's the Difference between a Coach and a Mentor?

Business coaching and mentoring may seem like the same thing, but in reality, there are many differences between them. They differ in their support, focus, goals, and many other matters. Below, we have covered some of the key differences between mentoring and coaching. Let’s explore them:

Focus 

Business coaches assist their clients during a particular period of their journey. They aim to improve on-the-job performance and address immediate needs, such as making a road map for revenue generation. 

Business mentors take a holistic approach in which they show their empathic nature. And help their mentees by teaching them important lessons and efforts to bring long-term success.

Time Frame

You hire a business coach for a short period to solve any particular problem. For example, you can connect with a leadership consultant to create a sales strategy for your startup. 

On the other hand, a mentor is quite different from a business coach, and your relationship with them can last for years, decades, or a long period. Even after losing them, you may follow their guidance in your venture strategies, as you see many examples out there. 

Goals

A business coach is responsible for helping you achieve your objectives, such as boosting your leads, expanding your brand awareness, and ultimately ensuring that you are properly doing everything. 

A mentor comes closer to you and focuses mostly on making you a good leader. They provide you with personal insights and ways to develop better leadership qualities that they have learned during their experience. 

Expertise

A business coach may not have exposure in the field of your industry, but they are very good at solving any particular problem in your organization. They can improve your communication skills, create a road map for better social media marketing, and give suggestions on your products and services. 

A mentor is a person who already has rich experience in your field. They share all the things that they have learned during their journey. They can show you the bigger picture and teach you what they learned on their journey. 

Do I Need a Business Mentor or a Business Coach?

You can find yourself in confusion about which one is suitable for you. Whether to choose a business mentor or a coach. Below are some of the important factors that will help you find the best solution according to your requirements and objectives: 

When To Hire a Business Coach:

You Can Hire A Coach For Specific Expertise.

The high exposure of a business coach can provide you with many advantages. You can turn to a professional coach when you want to tackle a specific problem. You may not have good command over your communication. But a coach can help you, give you feedback, and improve your confidence to speak.

When You Want Targeted Guidance

A business coach is a better option when you want to have targeted support in your role or organization. They can help you improve your performance with their target-centric approach. They can understand the demands and requirements of your firm because of their in-depth expertise in different skills. 

When You Require An Immediate Solution

If you are struggling with a problem related to your organization and want an immediate solution, look no further than a business coach. They can provide an immediate solution with their professional skills and expertise in different industries. 

When To Hire A Business Mentor:

When you want to gain wisdom from an experienced person.

A business mentor is the perfect person to gain wisdom regarding your firm. They already have a good experience with your industry. And they went through the situation that you are in. Therefore, you can share their experience with them, which will provide a better understanding and redirect you to the right path.

When You Are Looking for Long-Term Solutions

Getting company from a mentor is a way to get long-term solutions. They connect with you closely and share all the ins and outs that they have experienced in the past. They can be empathic and equally understand the problems that come in an organization. 

You Want To Build A Supportive Relationship.

A mentor is more like a friend. However, they are not someone who just provides you with their random advice; they are seasoned players who know how to hit the nail on the head and give result-centric guidance to their juniors. 

Get Started With Expertbells!

In the pursuit of establishing a robust business presence, you must turn to Expert Bells, one-on-one consultation service provider in India. We have top business coaches and mentors who guide different ventures on how to come out of their complexities. Whether you are a newbie in your industry or an experienced player, if you are facing any problems with your growth, you can take a 1 on 1 consultation from Expert Bells. We offer A-Z consultation solutions under one roof.