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How to Start a High Impact Corporate Mentorship Program

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Life is all about evolution, and the business world is no different. Staying on top of your game requires constant improvement on the part of each and every employee – and the business as a whole. Yet somewhere along in an established career, people seem to just lose their spark, stop learning, and stop evolving, which results in declining productivity and employee retention. One of the most effective ways to reignite the fire is to start a mentorship program. Here are the steps you need to take to set one up correctly.

Step 1: Set up a Clear Plan

There are several things to consider when starting a mentorship program:

  1. How long will the program last: You do not want the program to be so long that employees get bored; nor should it be so short that their learning is incomplete. A 3-6-month program has been found to be quite effective. This allows time for the mentees to apply what they have learned.
  2. How frequently will they meet: Remember that mentorship programs are extra-curricular and not part of the regular job. Meeting too frequently can backfire and reduce productivity. Twice a week is ideal in this case.
  3. Who are the mentors: There can be only two types – Internal and External. An internal mentor works for the same company while an external mentor is an outsider. Both types can be effective when the mentors and the mentees are matched properly.
  4. What would success look like: If successful, what results can you expect from a mentorship program? Defining this part is crucial to determine the efficiency of the program.

Step 2: Match the Mentors and the Mentees

It would never be an effective mentorship if the mentors and the mentees do not like or even respect each other. Therefore, they must be matched with utmost care. There are several methods to do this. One effective way is to match mentors and mentees based on interests. Or, you could match them based on career objectives. If one of your employees working in member services would love to move to an IT position, then you could match them with an IT professional, for instance.

Step 3: Direct and Monitor

Now that you have matched them, direct them accordingly. Lots of companies initiate mentorships. Some succeed, but some fail, and the reason is simple – lack of direction. If you are a business owner or a CEO, act as a coordinator if you can and take it upon yourself to guide the programs if you feel competent enough, which will also allow you to monitor the success of the program.

Step 4: Ask for Consultancy

Given that mentorship is not like a regular job, many entrepreneurs simply do not have the time to plan, match, guide, and monitor all the aspects of the program. In this case, ask for consistency. Groups like Menttium Corporation specialize in this field and can set up programs based on what you need.

Conclusion

The business world is competitive, so you need to commit to improving if you want to stay ahead of the curve. Starting a simple mentorship program can probably be one of the best decisions an entrepreneur can make to boost the morale of his troops and move the company forward.

HubSpot