©2002 techrepublic, inc. . all rights reserved. understanding and implementing a formal it...

©2002 TechRepublic, Inc. www.techrepublic.com. All rights reserved.

Understanding and Implementing a Formal IT Mentoring Program

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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.


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.


Benefits of a formal mentoring program

Benefits for the company

Benefits for the protégé Benefits for the mentor


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


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


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


Benefits for the protégé Faster learning Chance to observe and emulate role models Opportunities to show skills Increased self-confidence Nonjudgmental sounding board


What are the costs?

Costs vary widely depending upon Approach Number of participants Time requirement


Types of expenses (some are optional)

Employee time Fee or salary for program coordinator Program design materials Training Ongoing administration Food and beverages


Example of a formal program’s costs

20 participants

¼ time coordinator

Training

Materials

===================

Tens of thousands of dollars


Can cost much less

"Enhanced Informal Mentoring" Describe program to participants Provide materials Provide brief orientation Lay ground rules Turn participants loose


Inexpensive mentoring resources Books Web sites Newsletters Online discussion groups


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


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.


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


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


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


Return on investment

Not easy to measure Intangibles:

Employee satisfaction Improved communication

Tangibles: Reduced turnover Increased productivity


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


Resources The Mentoring Group

http://www.mentoringgroup.com/ Deliver The Promise

http://www.deliverthepromise.com/

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