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17 March 2015
Coventry and Warwickshire’s future business leaders can now accelerate their personal development through Coventry & Warwickshire First’s new Mentoring Scheme.
With the leading professional and financial services firms amongst its members, Coventry & Warwickshire First recognises the importance of developing the next generation of the sub-region’s business leaders. The Mentoring Scheme does exactly that, putting the focus firmly on the real learning needs of the mentee at a specific and personal level.
The initiative is being led by chair of Coventry & Warwickshire First’s Young Professionals Carl Malcolm (Dafferns) and board members, Andrew Smith (Shakespeares) and Martyn Howard (Drake Howard Property).
Carl Malcolm explained the value of the new Mentoring Scheme. “For a number of years I have been mentored by Andrew Smith and have really benefited from his input and perspective. Our meetings have given me the opportunity to test out ideas, explore issues and get valuable feedback.
“Our intention is that mentors and mentees will find the mentoring relationship rewarding and so we have designed it with input from both.”
Martyn Howard continued: “The two-way mentoring relationship i benefits the mentor at the same time as providing guidance and encouragement to the mentee. It is refreshing to hear and learn from the perspectives a talented young professional and I certainly left some of our sessions with new and unexpected insights.”
The Scheme has been structured so mentees are matched with mentors employed in a different professional discipline and according to information provided in a short questionnaire. This approach means mentors can offer a new perspective and an insight into another professional discipline while mentees can discuss issues openly and frankly without any constraints consequent on the mentor being a competitor.
To find out more about the Mentoring Scheme, whether a potential mentor or mentee, email Coventry & Warwickshire First.
The advantages of being involved in a mentoring relationship include:
Increased confidence;
A sounding board to test ideas;
Being able to draw on a fellow professional’s experience;
Access to support, encouragement and guidance;
A channel for constructive criticism and help in sizing up situations;
Discovery of new perspectives; and
Opportunities for enhanced career visibility through expanded networks of professional contacts.