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FAQs for Protégés
1. What can a mentor do for me?
2. I didn't think that you have to pay for a mentor. Aren't there unpaid mentoring options?
3. Why should I pay for a mentor?
4. What service does Ingage provide?
5. When should I consider getting a mentor?
6. What's the difference between informal versus formal mentoring?
7. How do I select the mentor that's right for me?
8. How do I know if I've chosen the right mentor?
9. How long does it take to get started once I've selected a mentor?
10. What is DiSC© Indra™ and how can it help me to build the most effective mentoring relationship?
11. Mentoring versus other professional development and training options
12. What is the Protégé Development Plan?
13. What areas and topics does a mentor cover?
14. Who are the mentors and how are they selected?
15. Where does the mentoring take place?
16. What types of mentoring services are available?
FAQs for Mentors
1. How many hours am I required to mentor? Do I have control over my schedule?
2. What if I frequently travel or do not live in the same city as the protégé, would I still be able to mentor?
3. Am I an employee of Ingage?
4. How do I know if I qualify to become a mentor?
5. What can I offer to protégés if I become a mentor?
6. Will I be compensated?
7. How am I matched with a protégé?
8. What if I don't think I am the right mentor for the protégé?
9. Does Ingage provide any training?
10. What is DiSC© Indra™ and how can it help me to build the strongest mentoring relationship?
11. How do I become a mentor?
FAQs for Protégés
1. What can a mentor do for me?
A mentor can:
- Help you to make strategic decisions about your business, for example, deciding to add another location, purchase new technology, joint venture, outsource to an international vendor, or bring in a consultant.
- Give you ideas for new techniques and approaches, for example, sales and marketing strategies, supervisory and management strategies, or financial strategies that give you the edge you need as a manager, executive, or business owner.
- Review your work or projects, and give you some guidance and advice about how you can improve it, for example, a presentation to your executives, a new program you're developing, a new marketing strategy, etc.
- Help you to identify practices and methods to do something more efficiently or effectively, for example operational procedures and process flows, retention and recruitment programs, etc.
- Get honest and constructive feedback about your personal skill areas that may need fine tuning or improvement.
- Be a sounding board to bounce ideas off of.
- Prepare you for executive-level positions or help you to advance to the next level in your field.
- Help you to think creatively, strategically or entrepreneurially.
- Help you with your communication, public speaking, leadership, and supervisory skills.
- Help you to work through your career goals or determine new career goals.
- Help you to figure out how to balance your work and family.
With the guidance, support and assistance of a mentor, you can learn or fine tune skills and techniques, and obtain tricks-of-the-trade that would otherwise take years to learn. Working one-on-one with an experienced business professional who is many levels above you, and an established expert in their field, can help to shorten your learning curve, and give you the advantage you need to get that promotion, negotiate and close that deal, gain a competitive advantage, give you the confidence and assurance to take the next step, or just help you to be happier and more satisfied in life.
2. I didn't think that you have to pay for a mentor. Aren't there unpaid mentoring options?
Most of us are familiar with informal mentoring relationships where you ask someone to be your mentor, and he or she volunteers their time to help you. In this case, you don't have to pay anything to the mentor. Informal mentoring relationships are a viable option for individuals who have a well established network of very successful professionals that they can tap into.
In these situations, an informal mentoring relationship can be easy to establish by asking the person if they will mentor you, and calling them when an issue arises. Meetings over coffee or lunch where they can share with you their experiences, or give you advice about an issue you may be facing can provide some valuable insight that you wouldn't be able to get from a book, seminar, or conference.
Mentoring opportunities are also available when an employer sponsors the program.
3. Why should I pay for a mentor?
For some individuals, finding a seasoned professional of the highest caliber, asking them to be your mentor, and calling them to meet you when you need their help is a difficult and uncomfortable task. Many people do not have access to these high level professionals, and asking them to help you, taking away time from their busy schedules, is hard to do.
Participating in a paid, formal program removes any hesitancy that you might be interrupting or inconveniencing your mentor, and allows you the freedom to contact your mentor at any time. You can feel comfortable knowing that the mentor has been trained to make every meeting productive, and that you will receive one-on-one attention focused specifically on your goals.
A formal mentoring program also has a beginning and an end date. Oftentimes in an informal mentoring relationship, mentors and protégés are often hesitant to commit to the relationship because of a concern that the relationship will never end, or it will be difficult to end. A formal mentoring program removes any obligation to one another to continue the relationship once the program has ended, especially if the relationship has not been ideal. It allows both individuals to understand their commitment to each other and be completely focused on the goals of the program.
4. What service does Ingage provide?
Ingage takes away the discomfort and anxiety of having to find a mentor yourself. In addition, Ingage ensures that you gain as much, if not more, of the benefits and advantages that a mentor provides.
Specifically, our services include:
- Finding high caliber mentors who have a passion to share their skills, knowledge and experiences with others; that are trusting, honest, and respectful; and maintain complete confidentiality about the information you discuss.
- Training and preparing our mentors to follow a formal mentoring process that helps you to clearly identify and define your goals, and assists you to achieve them within the program timeframe.
- Providing online scheduling and meeting tools to help track your meetings and discussions with your mentor.
- Providing mentoring resources to help you to build productive and stable mentoring relationships.
- Providing a Mentor-Protégé Relations Specialist to assist you in working out disagreements or problems that need a third party to facilitate.
- Providing access to a network of mentors, so you can expand your professional network.
5. When should I consider getting a mentor?
Here are some examples of stages in your career when a mentor can help give you the boost you need to succeed and get ahead.
- When you have started in a new position and you are expected to hit the ground running.
- When you have taken on new role or responsibility, or started in a new industry where you have little experience, but need to gain the skills and experience quickly.
- When you want a personal assessment to determine your strengths and weaknesses, and what areas you should be working on to maximize your potential.
- When you are striving for a promotion or a new position, and need to know what skills and experiences will help you to get there quickly.
- When you need the support and reassurance to validate your thought processes, strategies, and plans so that you can be confident to move forward.
- When you're struggling with certain skills and performance areas and you want to improve without others knowing your weaknesses.
- When you are at a plateau in your career and you want options and assistance to help you get past it.
6. What's the difference between informal verus formal mentoring?
Informal Mentoring
- Goals are unspecified.
- Outcomes are unknown.
- Access to the mentor is limited depending on how busy the mentor is.
- The relationship has an unspecified duration.
- No training or support to either the mentor or protégé about how to build productive relationships or manage communication breakdowns.
- Meetings are sometimes productive, often social.
Formal Mentoring
- Goals are clearly defined.
- Outcomes are measured.
- Mentor is completely dedicated to the protégé's needs.
- Training and support are provided to both mentor and protégé throughout the program.
- There's a specified mentoring duration.
- Meetings are scheduled to keep on track, and are productive and effective.
7. How do I select the mentor that's right for me?
If you are looking for a mentor to assist you with a business skill or competency, then look for a mentor who has the experience in that skill or competency. If you are looking for mentor to assist you in your personal growth, career development, or leadership development, then look for someone who has a similar approach and style, similar background and interests, and other areas that would indicate compatibility.
Once you have selected a mentor and purchased a program, the first phone conversation and one-on-one meeting is the best time to assess whether or not the fit is "right". Take the opportunity to "interview" your mentor to validate compatibility and the likelihood that the relationship will succeed on an interpersonal level.
Examples of interview questions are:
- What do you think are the three key attribute of a mentor/protégé?
- What are you looking for in your mentor/protégé?
8. How do I know if I've chosen the right mentor?
A productive mentoring relationship depends on compatible personalities and complementary abilities and interests. So when you are seeking the right match, look for these characteristics:
- Mutual respect. The protégé must respect the mentor for his knowledge and accomplishments; the mentor in turn must respect the protégé for her desire to learn and for the good reputation she has earned within the company.
- A logical fit. The mentor should have knowledge or insights that the protégé seeks: for example, knowing how to build relationships with strategic partners, or deep experience in developing innovative new products.
- No political agenda. The protégé's goal should be to learn. He or she should not attempt to exploit the mentor's position, contacts, or goodwill.
- Compatible temperaments or styles. A mentor who has made her mark through careful, fact-based decision making might not be a suitable mentor for a rising sales manager who is accustomed to selling people on his ideas.
- Commitment. Both parties should be committed to the goals of mentoring. hey must be agreeable to and enthusiastic about investing time and energy in the relationship.
(Source: Coaching and Mentoring)
9. How long does it take to get started once I've selected a mentor?
Once you select a mentor and have purchased a mentoring program through our site, your mentor will be immediately notified via email that you have selected him or her. They will have received your protégé profile and will be familiar with your goals for the program. Your mentor will call you within 48 hours. During this first phone call, your mentor will introduce him or herself to you and give you an overview of your program. You will also schedule your first official meeting when it's convenient for both you and your mentor.
10. What is DiSC© Indra™ and how can it help me to build the most effective mentoring relationship?
DiSC© Indra™ offers an in-depth understanding of relationship dynamics by applying the time-honored DiSC model to interpersonal style. It maps and measures the relationships of people and provides feedback concerning relationship dynamics. DiSC Indra can help individuals in any type of relationship reduce conflict, and increase their comfort, effectiveness and understanding when relating with others. DiSC Indra is included in programs that are 3 months or longer. All mentors have also taken the DiSC Indra Assessment, and their results are shared with their protégés. | 11. Why mentoring and how does it compare to other professional development and training options? |
| |
| Development Option |
Product or Service |
Unique Features |
Strengths/Weaknesses |
| Ingage - Business Mentoring |
Selection of business mentors with at least 20 years of experience in the area they are mentoring on. |
Formalized mentoring process to ensure goals are accomplished; Choice of experienced business professionals trained to be mentors; online accessibility. |
Variety of mentors to choose from; one-on-one personalized attention specific to your needs, timely, applicable, and practical information only someone with experience would know; new networks. |
| Paid Training/ Education |
Seminars, workshops, conferences. |
Can accommodate large numbers of people; lower cost. |
Easily repeatable sessions, general overview of subject matter provided by a professional trainer, not specific to individual needs. |
| Industry Associations, Community Organizations |
Professional networking & industry updates. |
Industry or field specific, membership is affordable, networking with peers. |
Network with individuals in same field, get most up-to-date information. |
12. What is the Protégé Development Plan?
The primary reason for a mentoring relationship is to help the protégé with his or her personal and/or professional development. The Protégé Development Plan is the main document to formalize the specific objectives of the relationship. (Source: The Complete Guide to Mentoring and Coaching)
A Protégé Development Plan has two elements:
1. The content of the relationship (what the mentoring relationship will focus on); and
2. The process of the relationship (how the mentoring relationship will be conducted).
Ingage uses the Protégé Development Plan as a working document between the mentor and protégé. It defines the length of the relationship, the timing and locations of meetings, accessibility outside of formal meetings, confidentiality, reporting and the assessment process. It also includes the goals of the protégé and tracks the steps of how the protégé, with the help of the mentor, will achieve those goals.
13. What areas and topics does a Mentor cover?
You mentor will focus on the area of development and topic that you select when you purchase your program. But in addition, your mentor will also focus on the following subjects:
1. Job fundamentals. Your mentor will identify those competencies or skills, abilities, and knowledge that you lack that could help with your current job or the job you want to have next.
2. Leading. It is critical that all individuals possess leadership abilities. The more leadership knack you have, the more responsibility you can take on in the company.
3. Relationship building. Interpersonal skills are only the beginning. You must be able to relate to all within the organization and outside of it to be able to overcome conflicts and build collaborative relationships.
(Source: The Mentoring Advantage)
14. Who are the mentors and how are they selected?
Ingage mentors have a minimum of twenty years of experience in any one industry or field; and/or a minimum of five years of volunteer experience preferred. They are respected in their industry, profession, or field, and have the qualifications that makes them an expert. They have also demonstrated a sincere want and willingness to give back to the community and to foster the personal and professional growth of others.
15. Where does the mentoring take place?
The benefit of one-on-one mentoring is that it can happen anywhere. We offer telephone mentoring and in-person mentoring services. Included with every package is unlimited email support throughout the program at no additional charge. The mentor and protégé determine the most productive and efficient means of mentoring throughout the program. (Travel expenses for in-person sessions are not included in the package price.)
16. What types of mentoring services are available?
- One-on-one mentoring - a choice of 4 programs - 1, 3, 6, and 12 months programs
- Group mentoring
- Executive Programs - Teleseminars and webinars
- Mentor Speakers
- Formal Mentoring Programs for Organizations
FAQs for Mentors
1. How many hours am I required to mentor? Do I have control over my schedule?
As a mentor with Ingage, you control how much or how little you would like to mentor. You will first decide on the number of protégés that you would like to mentor. You will then select the number of months (1, 3, 6 or 12 months) that you will need to mentor a protégé on your chosen topic. Based on the number of months, a specified number of hours per month have been determined by Ingage. For example, a three month mentoring program requires you to mentor 3 hours per month. Once you have been selected by a protégé, the two of you will decide together the days and times you will meet. In addition, Ingage offers group mentoring, executive programs and mentor speaking engagements so every mentor's commitment to Ingage will vary.
2. What if I frequently travel or do not live in the same city as the protégé, would I still be able to mentor?
Yes, the beauty of mentoring with Ingage is that we are a web-based business. Mentoring can be conducted in person or over the phone. The option is yours and you would be able to mentor from anywhere, at home, on the road, or in a foreign country. All you would need is a phone and a computer.
3. Am I an employee of Ingage?
Yes, all mentors are on-call employees of Ingage. This means that you would work only as business warrants or when you are selected by a protégé.
4. How do I know if I qualify to become a mentor?
Mentor qualifications: A minimum of twenty years of experience in any one industry, or in any one business area or field; and a minimum of five years of volunteer experience preferred. If you are able to demonstrate a clear and solid understanding of a specific topic, subject, or area that can assist the personal and professional growth and development of an individual, as well as have superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with individuals and groups, you qualify to be an Ingage mentor. Most importantly if you have a belief in Ingage's mission, vision, and core values we would love to have you as a part of the mentor team. If you have these qualifications, we strongly encourage you to submit an application to become a mentor.
5. What can I offer to protégés if I become a mentor?
Everyone has something to offer as a mentor. Do you have a field that you specialize in or an area that you have excelled in? As long as you have a sincere want and willingness to give back and to foster the personal and professional growth of others, we will provide you the training necessary to become an excellent mentor. We train and certify all of our mentors through our Ingage Mentor Training program.
6. Will I be compensated?
Yes, as a mentor with Ingage you will be compensated for your services. Your compensation is determined by the number of protégés you are mentoring and the length of the mentoring program. We also compensate our mentors through our exclusive Lifestyles and Wellness Benefits program. Through our Lifestyles and Wellness Benefits program, mentors are able to obtain special rewards that support your mind, body, and spirit. Ingage is continuously looking for the newest and most sought after items on the market today to make this program one that you'll be excited to be a part of. For more information please email Human Resources, hr@ingagementors.com or call (808) 772-0465.
7. How am I matched with a protégé?
The matching of the mentor and protégé is initiated by the protégé. The protégé first reviews a selection of mentor profiles on the Ingage web site, and then chooses the mentor they believe will best help them to reach their personal and professional development goals. If you are selected to be their mentor, you will be notified by Ingage and provided all the necessary information on your protégé to prepare you for your mentoring relationship.
8. What if I don't think I am the right mentor for the protégé?
Both you and your protégé will have an opportunity to assess if the relationship is the "right fit." If after your first meeting with your protégé, either of you feel that the mentoring relationship is not a good fit, both of you will have the opportunity to discontinue the relationship at that time. The protégé will then return to the web site to select another mentor. We want to ensure that the mentoring relationship is productive and beneficial for both parties, and therefore Ingage asks for detailed information from both the mentors and protégés to assist in determining the best fit.
9. Does Ingage provide any training?
Yes, once you have been accepted and hired by Ingage to become a mentor, Ingage will send you through its Mentor Training Program. If you are chosen to be an Ingage mentor, you have demonstrated excellence in your industry, field, or area of expertise. The purpose of the mentor training is to prepare you to be the best mentor possible - understanding how to manage the relationship, determining goals with your protégé, and making the relationship productive.
10. What is DiSC© Indra™ and how can it help me to build the strongest mentoring relationship?
DiSC© Indra™ offers an in-depth understanding of relationship dynamics by applying the time-honored DiSC model to interpersonal style. It maps and measures the relationships of people and provides feedback concerning relationship dynamics. DiSC Indra can help individuals in any type of relationship reduce conflict, and increase their comfort, effectiveness and understanding when relating with others. DiSC Indra is included in programs that are 3 months or longer. All mentors have also taken the DiSC Indra Assessment, and their results are shared with their protégés.
11. How do I become a mentor?
Becoming a mentor is easy. Find out how!
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