Introduction to the win on-line mentoring methodology
The aim of the mentoring methodology of the WIN on-line EU project is to support unemployed women (mentees) in developing their business ideas through their active participation in business mentoring courses with business professionals (mentors). Mentoring is defined as the process of guiding, advising and continuously supporting individuals during learning and development (Dahlberg & Byars-Winston, 2019). In such a case, its methodology is based on the “peer mentoring process” from which women e-entrepreneurs learn from their mentors and also from each other. The participants of the mentoring program have mentoring sessions with their mentors through a series of meetings to gain experiences and knowledge, and explore innovative and successful ways in starting or growing their e-commerce through Action Learning.
To be more specific, Action Learning encourages learning through questioning, while promoting mentoring principles to support and build confidence and self-efficacy. In such a case, the process assists people in groups to think more critically, effectively and creatively when solving problems.
Therefore, the WIN on-line mentoring process is not the same as training, thus mentors are not teaching women what they need to know about e-entrepreneurship, but they have the role of active listeners and ask questions for challenging the mentees in experiencing soft skills, maximizing their business potential and improving their performance and development. The mentoring process enhances mentees with:
- greater clarity on life, career choices and goals
- different perspectives and cultural values
- the opportunity to develop their networking and gain access to new resources
- increase career satisfaction and success development
Module in a nutshell
The respective document is a summary of:
- Basic principles of the mentoring process
- Mentors and mentees tasks, responsibilities and rights
- Selection criteria of mentors and mentees
- Matching mentors and mentees
- What is to be done after matching the mentors and mentees
- Working Documents/Templates to be signed between the mentors and mentees, and the responsible organisation in each country
REFERENCES
Center for Health Leadership & Practice (2003) MENTORING GUIDE. A Guide for Mentors. [Ebook] (pp. 1-5). Retrieved from: https://www.rackham.umich.edu/downloads/more-mentoring-guide-for-mentors.pdf
Dahlberg, M. and Byars-Winston, A. (2019) The Science of Mentoring Relationships: What Is Mentorship? Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK552775/
Davidson Institute for Talent Development (2018) Mentoring Guidebook [Ebook] (p. 5). Retrieved from: http://print.ditd.org/young_scholars/Guidebooks/Davidson_Guidebook_Mentoring.pdf
HR Works (2021) Why Pilot Programs Are Important in Rolling out New Features. Retrieved from: https://hrworks-inc.com/blog-post/why-pilot-programs-are-important-rolling-out-new-features/#:~:text=A%20pilot%20program%20will%20help,the%20impact%20of%20those%20challenges.
Planning Institute Australia (2017) MENTORING PROGRAM HANDBOOK. FOR MENTEES AND MENTORS [Ebook] (pp. 10-14). Retrieved from: https://www.planning.org.au/documents/item/9127
Transportation Learning Center (2012) MENTORING GUIDEBOOK [Ebook] (pp. 1-9). Retrieved from: https://www.transportcenter.org/images/uploads/publications/Mentoring_Guidebook.pdf
YEP Erasmus+ (2018) YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MENTORING PEOPLE. Manual to become a mentor of entrepreneurship [Ebook] (p. 41). Retrieved from: https://yep-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/manual-english.pdf
