Your Mentoring Program - After The Launch

You've announced the program, selected the participants, introduced them, trained and paired them. People are excited, enthusiastic and keen to make it work. Yet, research suggests that energy for a new goal can be short-lived. If people's commitment is not nurtured your mentoring program's success may be limited. Now, as the fanfare of the launch fades, is a pivotal point in the program.

A mentoring program that doesn't achieve it's full potential is a concern. But a failed mentoring program, or one that "fizzles out" leaves staff cynical and management contemptuous of human resources strategies.

Imagine what it would be like if the mentoring partnerships you set up were enjoying productive relationships in twelve months time. Envisage their faces as they tell you how satisfied they feel with their mentoring experience. If you provide the right support and follow-up, this dream CAN become reality. 

Here's how:

Communication
Activities
Network

Communication

The coordinator is the lynch pin of a mentoring program. You want to follow-up a launch very quickly with regular, short and friendly contacts. As with any communication, face-to-face is best, phone is good, written or electronic delivery your third choice. Talking to people personally is time consuming but a worthwhile investment, particularly at the beginning when you are establishing a relationship. Back up with regular emails, printed newsletters or tip sheets with links to a website or webinar facility for those who are keen. Remember that real communication is two-way. You will need to be available to participants and willing to listen and respond constructively to any concerns or issues that they raise.

Activities

To keep people actively involved schedule tasks, discussion forums, workshops or webinars as part of your program. These may range from simple brown-bag lunchroom presentations, self-organised social events, an on-line chat facility or blog to formal workshops. People who feel that they are part of a program are more likely to stay engaged.

Network

Mentoring may be a one-to-one relationship, however, in a mentoring program there is the advantage of being part of a group as well. Mentors need support (read more in the article: Who Mentors The Mentor?) and mentorees benefit by sharing experience with their peers. Human beings love to belong. The TV series Friends remains one of the most popular ever because it strikes a chord with us all. Making our way in the world, outside of immediate families, we choose a variety of tribes to join, a circle of friends, professional associations, social groups and colleagues. These groups can sustain us on our journey through life and career. A mentoring program is a natural breeding ground for a nurturing network (one of my own networks is a group of businesswomen who first came together in a mentoring program in 2000. We still meet regularly and support one another).

Remember, the mentoring program that you have invested in will not sustain itself. A planned program of support and follow-up is essential. Providing ongoing communication, activities and a network will ensure a satisfactory return on investment for all concerned.