Evaluating mentoring outcomes from the perspective of entrepreneurs and small business owners

Abstract

Background: Mentoring as support for both the business and the individual entrepreneur or small business owner is important for the continued perseverance of the entrepreneurial journey.Aim: Different mentoring outcomes were evaluated to establish what is being gained from the mentoring relationships to encourage other entrepreneurs and small business owners to pursue mentoring relationships.Setting: South African entrepreneurs and small business owners who were currently being mentored or had been mentored.Method: The study used a survey research design that consisted of 209 qualifying entrepreneurs and small business owners. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data.Results: The results show that there is a relationship between the different mentoring outcomes (skills transfer outcomes, knowledge transfer outcomes, entrepreneur resilience outcomes and business outcomes). In addition, it was established that as the mentoring relationship goes through the different phases of initiation, cultivation, separation and redefinition, mentoring outcomes such as skills transfer and entrepreneur resilience are independently attained.Conclusion: Understanding the outcomes of mentoring will encourage more participation in the field of mentoring for South African mentors, entrepreneurs and small business owners through awareness of the benefits thereof as well as how mentoring can form a strong supporting mechanism. This research makes a theoretical contribution by naming and grouping mentoring outcomes into four categories, such as skills transfer outcomes, knowledge transfer outcomes, entrepreneur resilience outcomes and business outcomes.