Keep Your Best Employees Happy Through a Mentoring Program

Dan Blank -- Expert Business Source, 4/30/2007 6:30:00 AM

ZweigWhite looks at the value of mentoring programs:

“A mentoring program is an additional resource in growing and developing new and existing staff, particularly emerging leaders, in your firm.”

It also creates a ripple effect across the company:

“…mentoring often builds staff loyalty and a stronger cohesion amongst employees across levels in the firm.”

Here are some tips to setting up an effective mentoring program:

• Establish purpose and goals.
  Ensure this program is aligned to the company’s strategic goals.
• Designate a facilitator.
  The facilitator will monitor and evaluate the program, and report its effectiveness to the senior managers.
• Design the mentoring structure.
  Determine the process and expectations of the program.
• Identify mentors and mentees.
  You have to consider not only technical and professional skills, but the temperament of mentors and mentees to ensure they are willing to give the program the attention it needs.
• Maximize ''click'' potential.
  Take time to match participants with similar personalities, professional backgrounds, and career ambitions.
• Foster ongoing relationships.
  To maximize a more collective and nurturing mentoring environment, encourage the facilitator to organize a mentor lunch, coffee-break conversation, catch a local comedy show, or after-work dinner for all participants.
• Evaluate your program.
  Prepare an evaluation report or performance plan for the mentoring program. And how to improve it.

Read more on ZweigWhite.com.