Electronic Media and Mentoring

The internet is increasingly used as a key strategy for building relationships and communicating but is it effective in mentoring programs?

Electronic messaging is fast, easy to systemize and allows you to reach massive numbers simultaneously. Unfortunately, that means that most of us fight to keep on top of email.  Text messages, abbreviated and devoid of non-verbal nuance are easily misinterpreted. Hasty words, broadcast in social media such as Twitter or Facebook can have negative repercussions. On the other hand, freedom, democracy and fast breaking news are spread globally by this media revolution.

So how can you harness the power of electronic media for mentoring? What do you need to do to build relationships and communicate effectively using text, email and social media?

Mobile Phones

Almost everyone has a phone in his or her pocket or bag. Indeed, younger people in the workplace do not remember life without mobile devices. They are considered vital part of life. Ways they can add value in a mentoring program include:

·      Mentorees use text messages as a courtesy, to confirm appointments with mentors;

·      Mobile learning through an “App”;

·      Access to a mentoring blog, podcast or video.  

Rather than fighting the inevitable try accepting and using people’s phone use. I have seen presenters actually encourage use during sessions by setting up a hash tag for tweets to stimulate real time discussion and questions. It’s hard to believe but people can appear distracted yet might really deeply engaged with your topic.

Email

Despite the deluge to the inbox, email is a preferred and powerful way to communicate. The trick is to get people’s attention and provide something worthwhile. If you are like most people there are newsletters you read and keep and others you ignore, trash or junk. So if you want to use email in your mentoring program make sure your communication is relevant, succinct and interesting enough to keep people engaged. Consider:

·      Regular mentoring tips;

·      Your own newsletter;

·      Information about events.

Social Networks

Some organisations try to keep employees away from Facebook during work hours. Others provide computers in in the lunchroom for exactly this purpose.

A different approach is to have your own, social networking site for the exclusive use of mentoring participants. A password-protected website can provide:

·      Networking - participants upload their profiles with photos. They can find colleagues with common issues and challenges, connect and share ideas and support;

·      A resource centre - 24/7 access to audio-visual tutorials, ebooks, articles, checklists and worksheets.

·      Discussion forums – questions or relevant topics explored.

There are successful mentoring programs where people never meet. Electronic media can connect participants across large geographic areas and reduce isolation by establishing supportive relationships with their mentoring partners and peers. However, most mentoring programs combine online and face-to-face communication. Successful use of electronic media involves an integrated strategy that develops relationships and communication. That’s how mentoring works.