Here are some of the most common and frequently asked questions we received about the Mentoring Program.
You can also download the following Mentoring Guides in PDF:
The Mentor Evolution Mentor Cloud User Guide
How to be an Inspirational Mentor
Habits of Highly Successful Mentees
How to Prepare for Your First Meeting
Setting Compelling Goals
How to Set Up Your Mentor Profile
How to Set Up Your Mentee Profile
How to Access the Mentoring Communication Portal
Who can be a mentor?
Anyone currently working in the marketing, media and advertising profession in Australia or New Zealand. On submitting your details to indicate your interest, you will be invited to join the mentoring program based on your expertise and experience and your category specialty. This right is reserved to ensure we maintain the optimum balance within the program.
Who can be a mentee?
Likewise, anyone currently working in the marketing, media and advertising profession in Australia or New Zealand. The program is not open to full time students in marketing degrees but is open to those studying part time and working in a marketing role. Again, on submitting your details to indicate your interest, you will be invited to join the mentoring program based on your expertise and experience and your category specialty. This right is reserved to ensure we maintain the optimum balance within the program.
What is the commitment for a mentor and mentee?
The platform allows a mentor to choose the number of mentees they take on at any time. You should allow no more than one hour per week for each mentee. Likewise, for mentees, once you have selected a mentor, you should allow no more than one hour per week. However, in the pilot phase you may want or need to participate in additional online meetings to maximise your experience of the program.
How long is the commitment for?
That is completely up to you as both a mentor and a mentee. These relationships can be for just one week or many months or years. You can pause your participation at any time if you are busy and re-activate your participation when you are ready. The pilot program will run for three months and then the program will be expanded based on the results of the pilot program. You can also leave the program at any time.
Can I be a mentor and a mentee?
Yes. It is up to you how you engage in the program.
Is there any cost involved in participating?
There is no cost for mentors, other than your time, to participate in the mentor program. For mentees, there is a membership fee to belong to the Marketing Mentors community. This fee is to cover administration and technology cost and is less than one dollar a day.
This can be paid by credit card as either $300 per year or $30 per calendar month.
As a mentee what is my role?
A successful mentee exhibits the qualities of truthfulness, dedication, respect and flexibility.
A good mentee is one who:
As a mentor what is my role?
An inspirational mentor is one who:
What are the benefits for a mentee in this program?
A mentee can:
What are the benefits for a mentor in this program?
A mentor can:
Should my mentor be in the same category, specialisation or discipline as me?
Before reaching out to a mentor, it is important to identify your goals and objectives. If you are seeking professional mentoring specific to your role or industry, then perhaps reaching out to someone in the same department would be effective. Alternatively, reaching out to a mentor from a different team can offer an external lens with different perspectives, knowledge and experience.
How do I set compelling goals?
To set compelling goals, it is important to ensure they are:
What does a successful mentor/mentee relationship look like?
A successful mentor/mentee relationship in built on T.R.U.S.T.
How will I know if the mentoring partnership is going in the right direction?
The most successful mentoring partnerships are ones where the goals and desired outcomes and really clear between mentor and mentee. Use a goal sheet during each session to identify what you want to achieve and your timeframe. Spend 5 minutes at the beginning of each session doing an update on what has happened since your last meeting: What have you practiced that went well? Have your goals shifted? Ultimately, success is feeling like you are in an environment of trust, learning and growth.
Below are some questions to help you track whether your mentorship is working:
Is there a fixed duration of the program that involves certain objectives or goals?
The duration of your mentorship really depends on what goals and outcomes you would like to achieve. The duration options available are 1, 3, 6 or 9 months. Starting with the one month option, or ‘hour of power’ is a great way to review your goals, discuss your challenges or questions, and decide whether to extend the mentorship from there. We recommend meeting once a month for 6 months as the optimum duration for a mentorship.
How are mentors/mentees matched?
The matching algorithm is based on three components: mentoring focus areas, a values questionnaire and a profile keyword search. It is important to be specific when filling out your mentor or mentee profile as this will aid the algorithm results.
The platform allows you the opportunity to self-select a mentor based on suggested matches. There is also a tool to view all mentors or mentees on the platform and reach out to another member directly.
Can I change my mentor/mentee if I am unhappy?
Yes, you can end the partnership at any time if needed. If you are unsure about who to connect with, we recommend starting out by requesting a 1 month duration – hour of power – so you have the opportunity to have one meeting with your mentor/mentee before deciding whether to progress.
Can I have more than one mentor?
Yes, as long as the mentor’s status on the platform is available, you will be able to complete a request for mentoring.
What is the privacy between mentor and mentee?
All interactions between a mentor and mentee are confidential, unless agreed otherwise between both parties.
What is the best structure to follow for mentoring?
What are some best practices to maintaining momentum during a mentoring program?
How do I prepare to end the mentor partnership?
Please let us know here if you have not had your question answered.