INITIAL MENTOR-ENTREPRENEUR DISCOVERY SESSION.
KEY FACTORS IN INITIATING THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP
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Establishing the mentoring relationship. Rules of the game
After the matching process (+)mentorDay proposes a mentor-entrepreneur pair to carry out this first discovery session, in which the rules of the game have to be established.
The first mentoring meeting is usually proposed by the mentoring manager on Tuesday of the second week of the programme, in order to check if the matching is adequate to complete and sign the mentoring agreement. mentoring agreement (+).
The script for this first meeting is:
- Self-presentation.
- Mutual knowledge.
- Assessment of the relationship.
- Fitting of personalities.
- Compatible availability.
- "FUMATA BLANCA" in case they like each other, or a warning to the mentoring manager that he/she has to keep looking for the right mentor.
- Set a date and time for the mandatory minimum monthly meeting.
- Complete the mentoring agreement, virtual signature by signaturit.
- Take a photo of the meeting and send it to the mentoring manager.
At this first meeting the alliance is established, which is a a fundamental tool for properly cementing a process and the relationship with the entrepreneur. This is a necessary first step in creating a context and framework for action during the mentoring/coaching relationship. The logistical elements play a secondary roleThe first thing we should not forget when starting a mentoring/coaching relationship is that everything is online.
Signing a mentor-entrepreneur MentorDay contract provides us with a solid framework and allows us to contemplate all those issues that will make the process run in an orderly and predictable way in terms of material and tangible elements.
The framework of the mentoring process has to take into account the following elements:
CREDENTIALS
- Mentor and entrepreneur with the workshop completed and fulfilling the profiles:
APPROXIMATE DURATION OF THE PROCESS
- Recommended 6 to 1 year, never more than 2 years.
DURATION OF THE SESSIONS
- They are usually 1.5 hours.
PRICE OF THE SESSIONS
- In the case of mentorDay are free of charge.
PLACE OF THE SESSIONS
- We recommend ONLINE.
CANCELLATION POLICIES.
AGREEMENT ON THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCESS BETWEEN COMPANY/ENTREPRENEUR.
Some characteristics of the mentor-entrepreneur alliance are:
- It is an agreement of cco-created collaboration.
- It is not static, is built and modified as circumstances require, it is a continuous process.
- It is an agreement on behaviours and attitudes necessary to generate a real encounter.
IMPORTANT ELEMENTS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT:
- Space for exploration and research.
- Clarification of expectations and objectives of the process.
- Clarification of the Mentor's role in the process.
- Secure and confidential space.
- The Mentor conveys availability.
- The Mentor asks for permission.
- Agreements on: What needs the Mentor and the entrepreneur to be at ease?
It is also appropriate to have a conversation about what happens if either party breaches the partnership. What will be the consequences for those who if we cannot deliver comply with what has been agreed? The idea is to take responsibility, to give it importance and to raise awareness of the impact of not complying with what has been agreed.
It is important, generate space, to make explicit what the entrepreneur understands by each of the elements that appear in the alliance. ¡¡This will help us to clarify possible interferences!
The partnership represents the construction of a safe space of complicity and intimacy. It brings us closer to the entrepreneur, generating trust and customises the process to suit your needs.
SOME ELEMENTS WE CAN CONSIDER IN THE MENTORING PARTNERSHIP ARE:
- Confidentiality.
- Trust.
- Have a good time.
- Permission to be authentic. Sincerity.
- Commitment.
- Participation.
- Opening.
- Full presence.
- Respect for the opinions of others.
- Everyone is right (at least in part).
- Non-judgement. Space for learning and sharing. Avoid prejudice. An "astonished" look.
- Playing field / Permission to make mistakes.
- Generous sharing / co-responsibility for learning.
- Punctuality.
Key factors of the first meeting. Conversation of the first discovery session after matching.
- Create the alliance.
- Define the issue (Process objectives vs. session objectives) (see TIP)
- Explore challenges with the whole person in mind.
- Why is this important for the person?
- How does this connect with the entrepreneur?
- What options do you envisage?
This initial discovery session aims to I aim for entrepreneur and coach/mentor to get to know each other. Generate connection, clarify expectations, establish an initial framework of trust, adapt the way in which the process will take place, explore the issues you want to work on.... are the main objectives of this session.
Initiation of the mentoring relationship/process
The mentoring relationship and process is activated at the first meeting discovery meeting at which the timetable is fixed and the contract is signed. Both have already completed the mentoring workshop and therefore know each other well: what coaching/mentoring is and the work of a coach or mentor and both already have all the information about the characteristics of the mentoring process.
The first discovery meeting is from "exchange of expectations".In other words, to know the entrepreneur's demand, as well as for the entrepreneur to corroborate that what he/she is asking for is what the mentor is offering him/her. Once these points have been clarified, it is essential that both parties commit themselves and sign a contract in order to guarantee the confidentiality of the process.
Finally, the monthly compulsory fixed session will be organised and planned, connection platform, day, time. And it will be noted in the mentoring contract for signature.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENTREPRENEUR:
In any kind of relationship we establish in our lives, it is important to take time and care both in the context and in the interactions we have with that other person or persons. We already know that, to create, an environment where the confidence (+) be a protagonist, it is necessary to be credible professionals y to bring to light both our technical and personal skills.
In addition, we must ensure an optimal environment where conversations flow and the feedback (+) The process is natural and informal. In a mentoring or coaching process building a relationship and context of trust and openness becomes key. Only in this way, the process, it will run smoothly!!!
IN ORDER FOR A MENTOR TO LEARN HOW TO CONDUCT HIS OR HER FIRST MEETING WITH THE MENTEE WELL, THE FOLLOWING LEARNING MODE CAN BE FOLLOWED:
- Establish the mentoring relationship: in the first meeting, the rules of the game have to be established and the entrepreneur has to be known. It is important to create an atmosphere of trust and openness for the mentoring process to flow smoothly.
- Script of the first meeting: the mentor should follow a script that includes self-introduction, getting to know each other, assessing the relationship, matching personalities, compatible availability, white smoke or notice to the mentoring manager, setting a date and time for the mandatory minimum monthly meeting, completing the mentoring agreement and virtual signature by signaturit, and taking a photo of the meeting and sending it to the mentoring manager.
- Framing the mentoring process: the mentor should consider the credentials, the approximate duration of the process, the length of the sessions, the price of the sessions, the location of the sessions, the cancellation policies and the agreement on the objectives of the process between the company and the entrepreneur.
- Characteristics of the mentoring partnership: the mentor must take into account some important elements when creating the mentoring partnership, such as confidentiality, trust, passion, permission to be authentic, sincerity, commitment, participation, openness, full presence, respect for the opinions of others, non-judgement, space to learn and share, avoidance of prejudice, the 'wondering' look, the playing field and permission to be wrong.
- Key factors of the first meeting: the mentor must take into account some key factors when conducting the first meeting, such as creating the partnership, defining the topic, exploring the challenges with the whole person in mind, and knowing the entrepreneur's demand and having him/her corroborate that what he/she is asking for is what the mentor is offering.
IN SUMMARY
In order for a mentor to learn how to conduct his or her first meeting with the mentee well, he or she needs to follow a set script, take into account the key elements of the mentoring partnership and the key factors of the first meeting, and strive to create an atmosphere of trust and openness for the mentoring process to flow well.
APPLY THIS TIP
TASK
NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST DISCOVERY SESSION, REFLECT AND APPLY:
- What scripted questions will I ask at the first discovery meeting to get the relationship off to the best possible start?
- Mark the degree of importance you give to each of these questions to your entrepreneur 1 not very important - 5 very important
| Question | Score |
| How do you want to work during the sessions we will share throughout the process? | |
| What ingredients would you like to see present to make the final result a success?" | |
| What is mentoring for you? | |
| What other coaching or mentoring experiences have you had and what were they like? What are your expectations of the mentor and the mentoring process? | |
| Why are you considering a mentoring process at this point in time? | |
| Do you really want to experience a mentoring process? | |
| What is the best way for me to approach you face to face? | |
| Do you give me permission to be direct? Permission to interrupt? | |
| Do you want to develop specific skills? | |
| Is there a specific situation such as a re-organisation or the implementation of a new strategy that impacts on the mentoring process? | |
| How would you know that the coaching process has been successful? |
CASE STUDY OF A MENTOR PREPARING AND EXECUTING HIS FIRST MEETING WITH AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO HAS COMPLETED THE ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME
Juan is an experienced mentor who has been assigned to an entrepreneur named Pedro, who has just completed the accelerator programme of a startup incubator. Juan has carefully read Pedro's profile and needs, and has prepared a guide for their first meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for next week, and John wants to make sure he is ready to meet Peter and establish a trusting relationship. First, he introduces himself and describes his experience as a mentor in other incubation and acceleration programmes.
John then asks Peter about his experience in the accelerator programme, what his immediate and long-term needs are, and what his future goals are for his company.
JOHN HAS PREPARED SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO ASK PETER, INCLUDING:
- What is your vision for your company?
- What are your biggest challenges at the moment?
- What did you like most about the acceleration programme?
- How do you see yourself in five years?
After learning about Peter's needs and objectives, John provides him with an overview of his mentoring approach, as well as a description of how the mentoring process will work between them. John also explains the importance of mutual commitment and confidentiality in the mentoring relationship.
Finally, John and Peter establish the ground rules for their mentoring relationship, including the frequency of meetings, communication between meetings, and the specific goals Peter wants to achieve in his business. John also reviews the mentoring agreement and makes sure Peter fully understands it before they both sign it.
After the meeting, Juan feels confident in his ability to guide Pedro to success in his business. He is excited to work with such a dedicated and ambitious entrepreneur and looks forward to their next mentoring meeting.
QUIZ
After the question and before think of yourself.
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