©2002 techrepublic, inc. . all rights reserved. understanding and implementing a formal it...
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©2002 TechRepublic, Inc. www.techrepublic.com. All rights reserved.
Understanding and Implementing a Formal IT Mentoring Program
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©2002 TechRepublic, Inc. www.techrepublic.com. All rights reserved.
What is mentoring? It is a formal
relationship between a mentor and a protégé.
The mentor and the protégé set clearly defined goals.
The mentor helps the protégé develop skills to reach those goals.
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Recent changes in approach to mentoring Mentors are no longer necessarily older or
more senior. The relationship is less power-related. It is less about seniority and teaching. It is more about sharing and development. It focuses on all-around growth.
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Benefits of a formal mentoring program
Benefits for the company
Benefits for the protégé Benefits for the mentor
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Benefits for the company Helps recruitment Improves employee retention Helps overcome learning curves Helps manage organizational change (such as
mergers and acquisitions, downsizing) Promotes highflyers Develops underperformers Bridges competency gaps
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Benefits for the company (continued) Rejuvenates midcareer managers Converts training to results Facilitates internal hiring and transfers Encourages personal individual growth Increases the representation of minority interests
(diversity) Develops current managers Helps new employees obtain formal
qualifications
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Benefits for the mentor Broadened sense of responsibility Sense of being trusted by the company Challenge of advising rather than directing Chance to pay back mentors of their own Opportunity to learn from protégé Satisfaction of seeing someone grow
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Benefits for the protégé Faster learning Chance to observe and emulate role models Opportunities to show skills Increased self-confidence Nonjudgmental sounding board
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What are the costs?
Costs vary widely depending upon Approach Number of participants Time requirement
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Types of expenses (some are optional)
Employee time Fee or salary for program coordinator Program design materials Training Ongoing administration Food and beverages
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Example of a formal program’s costs
20 participants
¼ time coordinator
Training
Materials
===================
Tens of thousands of dollars
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Can cost much less
"Enhanced Informal Mentoring" Describe program to participants Provide materials Provide brief orientation Lay ground rules Turn participants loose
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Inexpensive mentoring resources Books Web sites Newsletters Online discussion groups
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Time requirement Minimum of two hours per month for up to
one year Set clear time goals Meet for lunch, after hours, or have other
informal meetings Communicate via e-mail Regular, formal meetings
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Is mentoring right for your department?Conduct a needs assessment: Do not use mentoring for remedial work or discipline. Establish mentoring programs for individuals who want to
grow and develop. Keep mentoring strictly voluntary. Avoid mentoring if your organization is going through
difficult times. Talk at length with the potential mentors and protégés to
see if they want such a program and have the time to devote.
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How to implement a mentoring program No easy “boilerplate” formula Must customize to match needs of
company, individual Fine-tune to your department's needs over
time Must have support of senior management
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Getting started Set very specific development goals Identify learning activities and projects Design program materials
Checklists Worksheets Tips, tricks Online training Books
Check off topics as protégé completes them Mandate face-to-face time Give praise Ask questions
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Match mentor skills to protégé needs Managers mentor managers Skilled technology workers mentor new
workers in field of expertise Focus on skills, knowledge, and attitudes
protégé needs to develop
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Return on investment
Not easy to measure Intangibles:
Employee satisfaction Improved communication
Tangibles: Reduced turnover Increased productivity
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The bottom line Talk to people experienced with mentoring Think small Start with a pilot program Evaluate each step Provide a budget Make it fun
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Resources The Mentoring Group
http://www.mentoringgroup.com/ Deliver The Promise
http://www.deliverthepromise.com/