Entrepreneurs are constantly looking for ways to make their business that much better than their competitors, spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars paying for strategic plans, legal advice and any other number of for fee services.What if I told you that there was a free resource that you could use that could put your business ahead of the rest?Well, there is.A mentor can be your secret weapon to realising success.Most new businesses are started by entrepreneurs who are passionate about their interests.Passion however, cannot equate to years of business experience and good old hard knocks.This is where a mentor can assist. A good mentor can help a new business owner think through their business idea and suggest ways to get the business off the ground running. Mentors can provide the experience and business know-how that new entrepreneurs lack.Have you ever been so close to an idea that you can’t see how it could fail?Most entrepreneurs posses an innate ability to see the glass half full all the time.While this is a good quality to have there has to be a dose of realism sprinkled into the “feel good juice” in order to make it taste good. Again this is where a mentor can help.Often mentors are far removed from the business and/or industry so they have the ability to look at a scenario objectively and provide unbiased opinions and advice.Mentors come in various forms. Some business owners are fortunate to have a mentor who is in their family.For those that do not have access to a seasoned entrepreneur in their family to rely on, then it is never too early to start to identify a potential mentor.Here are some tips to identifying the right mentor for your business:1. What’s in it for me? Be clear about what you want to get out of your relationship. Ideally, be as specific as possible with what you need assistance with to make it easier for your mentor to help you.2. “Been there, done that”. Your mentor should be someone who has had business experiences, good and bad. If your mentor has experienced failures and come out on the other side a success, he/she may be able to share those secrets of success with you.3. Personality rules. Not every mentor will be a good fit for you. Although some may be extremely gifted in business, if you cannot communicate effectively with your mentor due to personality conflicts, this isn’t the person for you. Make sure that you respect and can listen to your mentors advice and guidance.4. Accountability counts. A good mentor will hold you accountable for what you say you will do and they would expect that you do the same for them. Your mentor can act as a guide to help steer you in the right direction and away from pending disaster.5. Multiples can be good. There is no rule that says you can’t have more than one mentor. There may be many people that you come across that can provide that guidance and support that you need to take your business to the next level. But you have to be open to receive the help.Recognising the importance of business mentoring, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) launched its pilot mentoring programme: “Partnering for Success” (PFS) in 2009.The pilot paired ten BEDC Loan Guarantee clients with business mentors made up seasoned entrepreneurs, retired business people and industry experts.Based on the demand for this type of business support, the PFS programme will be relaunched in 2012 to the public. For more information on how you can sign up to be a business mentor or about getting a business mentor for your business contact jlodge@bsbdc.bm.Business Buzz is a monthly column presented by the BEDC. Every month, read about entrepreneurship, obtain business management tips, and find out what’s going on in the small business sector.Jamillah Lodge is a Business Development Officer for BEDC. She specialises in providing aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with business development advice and loan guarantee assistance. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and should serve a general guide and should not be considered as replacement advice from a lawyer, accountant or other professional service provider. Readers should consult with the appropriate professionals as necessary.If you have questions about starting a business in Bermuda, just ask BEDC: Email us at info@bsbdc.bm or call 292-5570.