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MENTOR CRITERIA

What you need to be able to do, know and understand to be an IOEE Mentor

INSTITUTE OF ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURS

MENTOR CRITERIA

OVERVIEW

We have identified two key stages to enterprise mentoring:

1. Building enterprise mentoring relationships2. Delivering enterprise mentoring

As an IOEE Mentor we would expect you to be able to prove you have certain skills, knowledge and experience.

Proof of this can be by way of recommendation, self assessment, accreditation, qualification or recognised programme depending on the type of mentor you are. We expect your mentoring skills to be in addition to your experience as a small business owner.

MENTOR TYPES

As an Institute we recognise that there are two distinct types of mentor. There are those who work with other businesses in a more informal way, often linking up through network associations, recommendations, friendship groups, online or word of mouth. Then there are those who work in a more formalised way and may be part of a wider, structured mentoring programme. We’re keen to promote both forms of mentor and mentoring as they are equally valuable to the small business and entrepreneur community.

To distinguish between these styles of mentor we have developed two types of mentor status within our programme, IOEE Mentor and IOEE MentorPlus.

Mentor status in the IOEE shows a commitment to helping other small businesses. Mentor status is for people who are interested in a more informal approach to mentoring or who may be quite new to mentoring and have been recommended by another small business or institute member. To become an IOEE Mentor we ask that you have assessed yourself against our mentor criteria to make sure you know what’s expected of a mentor and that you are capable.

MentorPlus status in the IOEE indicates that someone has a qualification/accreditation in mentoring or has been involved in a structured mentoring programme already. As a route to MentorPlus status, the IOEE recognises, amongst others, Princes Trust Mentors, members of the British Volunteer Mentor Association, mentors within Enterprise Agencies, PRIME and those with mentor accreditation or qualifications based on SFEDI Standards.

INSTITUTE OF ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURS

CRITERIA

There follows a breakdown of the skills and knowledge we’d expect an IOEE mentor to have (divided into the two stages):

STAGE 1: Building enterprise mentoring relationships

You will: You can:

Present a positive image of enterprise mentoring

Communicate with mentees in ways they are able to understand and that are relevant to their needs.

Behave as a mentor and not as an adviser

What you need to know and understand:

The range and limits of different communication methods (for example, face to face, phone, fax, e-mail and body language).

Ways to:

» present new information » create an environment in which mentees will feel at ease » make the mentoring experience effective for different mentees » gain and maintain mentees’ enthusiasm, commitment and trust » listen uncritically so as to identify mentees’ real situations, problems or needs » question and check with mentee what they have understood from you » share information, ideas and arguments patiently and tactfully » inspire confidence, persistence and realism » build long-term relationships » shows you are willing to help mentees without judging them » give, receive and pass on feedback » sort out any difficulties and reduce conflicts and differences as far as possible » show respect for and sensitivity to the needs and feelings of other people » avoid bias, preconceptions and judging » recognise the effect of your own actions and behaviour on other people » present yourself positively to other people » stay calm in difficult or uncertain situations » handle other people’s emotions without becoming personally involved in them. » how to identify when the relationship has reached a natural end and end it successfully

MENTOR CRITERIA

INSTITUTE OF ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURS

STAGE 2: Delivering enterprise mentoring

You will: You can:

Help mentees manage their development

Encourage mentees to focus on learning

Help mentees to take responsibility for their own development

Encourage mentees to compare their needs and abilities with current business practices

Help mentees plan their own development and review their progress

Encourage mentees to develop the confidence, understanding and skills needed to meet their personal and business objectives

Encourage mentees to clearly express their aims, ideas and concerns

Help mentees increase their self-confidence in setting goals and managing their development

What you need to know and understand:

The different reasons people might have for starting or running a business, and how these will affect their goalsWhat someones’ personal goals are. (Goals can be specific problems with the business or broader personal and business targets.)Ways to judge progress. How new points of view can be beneficial when evaluating, considering and using information to improve skills and business performanceHow different people learnHow different mentees have different learning preferences, limits and what they are Ways to learn from things that did not turn out as expected.Methods to develop skills that will improve how competitive a business isMethods to develop someones’ personal skills so they can develop the business for themselvesWhat further sources of information, advice or further support may be relevant to mentees, how to recommend them and how to evaluate itWays to develop mentees’ self-confidence.Ways to encourage mentees to: » talk about their business situation, needs and progress » express themselves » discuss ideas and concerns » take action to meet their goals » accept and manage change » make their own decisions, » make plans, » prioritise and carry out actions

MENTOR CRITERIA

© Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs 2010

Telephone: 01325 328318Email: info@ioee.co.ukWebsite: www.ioee.co.uk

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