For several reasons, our top management has asked us to consider introducing mentoring in the company. To this extent, I am looking for people in business (prferefaby other automotive businesses) who are willing to share best and worst practices with me with regards to developing and starting such a project. Looking forward to exchange with peers! Thanks in advance!
Inge Vandeurzen
2 Responses
Mentoring resources
Andrew Gibbons has an excellent section on his web site at
http://www.andrewgibbons.co.uk
although it isn’t specifically automotive. You may find some useful material there.
Some tips
Inge
I’ve experience of introducing mentoring/coaching, although not in the automotive industry. Here are some brief tips about getting started. If you want to talk about further off line please contact me at e-mail: vox@mahodges.demon.co.uk or pheon 01427 875156:
I think you should aim to cover the following:
– Leadership from the top: get the leaders of the organisation involved and backing the scheme
– Purpose/Objectives: What do you expect the benefits to be to both mentors and mentees, and to the organisation?
– Communication: clear plan for telling the workforce about this scheme, e.g. why it’s beneficial to individuals and the company, communicate successes.
– Selection of Mentors: ensure they are selected because they have the right attitude and experience
– Training: for both mentors and mentees.
– Choice: allow the mentee to choose their mentor from a shortlist, rather than to
assign someone
– Role: have clear role descriptions for both mentor and mentee, ensure they
understand what is expected of them
– Monitor and Measure: set some critical success factors at the beginning and
evaluate the scheme to see if these have been met. Develop/change the approach if
necessary
– Escape Route: if a mentor/mentee just cannot get on, make it possible for them to end the relationship with “no blame” on either side.
Good luck and best wishes