About Mentoring

The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jordan (YEA) has been developing and implementing a mentoring program to serve YEA members. Experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals are matched with mentees, entrepreneurs who desire to further develop their business skills, knowledge and network. Mentors are volunteers who act as a guide, coach and sounding board for the mentee entrepreneur. As a result of the personal relationship developed between the two business professionals, there is an increased chance for the entrepreneur’s business to stabilize, grow and expand, thereby increasing economic opportunity in Jordan.

Mission

Create an effective, transparent, accessible, non-elitist mentoring program to empower and enable Young Jordanian entrepreneurs by giving them access to the knowledge and experience of successful business people and professionals (The Mentors) in Jordan.

• An adult, dynamic, reciprocal relationship which is mutually beneficial.

• A relationship in which a person with more experience takes interest in the business/career development of a person with lesser experience.

• Opportunities for beneficial business/career opportunities beyond ordinary supervision or training.

• Recognition of talent, followed by guidance, developing into a two-way relationship which leads to business/career success.

A mentor is an advisor, role model, teacher, coach, and friend.

• Retain the right people

• Attract & recruit the best

• Make experienced and skilled people feel valued

• Increase likelihood of business survival

• Improve results( profit or otherwise) with people who are more competent, confident, experienced and motivated

• Ensure representation of diverse groups at all levels

• Enable people to learn to work with others with different educations, ages, cultures, physical abilities etc.

• Improve communication across functional or divisional lines

A long term process which fosters a genuine two way relationship between Mentor and client, whereby the Mentor contributes with insights, wisdom and experiences in a creative and constructive way, enabling the client to take control of their lives, develop self confidence and achieve their desired goals.

• Encourage long term sustainability

• Improve entrepreneurs ability to manage effectively

• Reduce risk through regular monitoring and provision of support and advice

• Conflict of interests

• Inadequate definition of roles & ground rules

• Relationship difficulties; broken promises, lack of commitment, gender issues

• Poor recruitment/matching

• Poor aftercare service

• Mentor not in it for the long haul

• Inconsistency with core values

• Opportunity to increase skills, knowledge and confidence

• Increased potential for business visibility, promotional or networking opportunities

• An improved understanding of the entrepreneur’s role in business

• Insights into the “unwritten” rules of business

• A supportive environment in which successes and failures can be evaluated

• Development of professionalism and self-confidence as a business owner through enhancing personal and professional effectiveness

• Recognition, satisfaction and empowerment as a business owner

• Manage stress and pressure of entrepreneurship more effectively

• Learn to better manage working with increased levels of uncertainty and complexity.

• Personal satisfaction from contributing to the development of the Mentee

• An ability to share experience and knowledge to assist another person’s development

• Opportunity to add value and contribute to a business and in turn increase economic opportunity for the entrepreneur and their employees.

• Ability to learn from another business person and new perspective on business

• Opportunity to initiate challenging discussions with an entrepreneur with a fresh perspective.

Mentor Responsibilities:

• Monthly meeting with Mentor for an initial six month commitment

• Be open to providing resources and entrées into business networks

• Listen to Mentee issues, problems and challenges, be open to offer advice; let them make their own decisions.

• Teach skills where you can and refer Mentee to others in areas that are not your area of expertise

• Share your experiences, successes and failures; demonstrating your own development process – especially how you overcame challenges

• Ask your Mentee to participate in important events in your own business such as business association meetings, office opening, etc. when appropriate.

• Attend YEA Mentoring Program networking events

• Fill out progress reports with Mentor and return to YEA.

• Monthly meeting with Mentor for an initial six month commitment

• Ask for resources and entrees into business networks

• Ask for trade secrets

• Listen to Mentor’s support and advice but make your own decisions

• Learn skills where you can

• Ask Mentor to refer you to others in areas that not their area of expertise

• Share your experiences, successes and failures; demonstrate your development process

• Ask Mentor to participate in events such as business opening or networking meetings

• Attend YEA Mentoring Program networking events

• Fill out progress reports with Mentor and return to YEA.

• Initial time is spent getting to know each other and building trust

• Review each others business plan, if appropriate.

• Conduct mutual inventory of each others strengths, future strengths, business strengths, and areas for improvement

• Discuss needs and expectations

• Establish meeting times, agendas and time limits

• Mentee can interview Mentor about:
  How she/he went into business
  What challenges she/he faced
  What challenges she/he is facing in her/his business
  What strategies she/he tried that did or did not work

• Have field trips to each other’s business if appropriate

• Meet at professional networking opportunities.

Meet to discuss a specific aspect of the Mentee’s business:

• Marketing and Advertising

• Cultivating and maintaining a clientele

• Negotiating Skills

• Sales Skills

• Record keeping, taxes, banking and finance

• Personnel Issues – Hiring and maintaining quality employees

• Practice active listening

• Set priorities

• Give specific concrete praise

• Communicate early and directly about any problems with relationship

• Ask for assistance from YEA staff if needed

• Mentee should come up with their own solutions – Mentors provide guidance and point to resources

• Mentors should be willing to share their own experiences, successes and failures.

• Initiation

• Development

• Disillusionment

• Take a Break

• Redefinition