Being a Mentor

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Being a Mentor

• What it means

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Mentor Definition

• A trusted counselor or guide
• A tutor or coach
• Builds a personal relationship
• Consultant -
• One who gives professional advice or Services,
  Expert

3
What we want from you

• Share your experience in a particular area with
  another market manager
• Develop a personal relationship that is
  supportive (not competitive)
• Counsel/guide the manager about how they might be
  more effective
• Offer options (many ways to skin a cat)

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What you will gain

• Meet another market manager and learn from them
• Help influence improvements that will make the
  manager and market more successful
• Satisfaction if your suggestions are implemented
  and work

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Qualities of a Good Mentor

• Energetic, enthusiastic, passionate about markets
  
• Good teacher, articulate
• Good listener, communicator
• Willing to share
• Well organized
• Experienced, has practical knowledge

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Qualities of a Good Mentor

• Able to see the big picture
• Gets at the root of the problem quickly
• Encourages problem solving
• Offers alternate solutions
• Not imposing
• Follows up with info
• Returns calls/emails promptly

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What will make the Relationship Work

• Mutual respect
• Being open, flexible
• Two-way communication
• Quality interactions
• Staying focused
• Shared interest in outcome

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Break For Questions
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Matchmaking Process

• Your skills matched to mentees needs
• Geography is being considered
• Confirm your commitment
• watch for email from Diane
• Match letter will be sent in April to mentor and
  mentee
• Mentor initiates contact

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Meeting your MenteeHomework Phone call

• Info to gather
• -Market info rules, promotional literature,
  bylaws, sponsorship, etc.
• -Website
• -Get clarity on help that is needed
• -Identify goals for the consulting project
• -Set up a meeting before market starts

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Meeting your MenteeIn person meeting

• Establish personal relationship
• Questions you have from homework
• Review market needs/issues and
• why mentee feels help is needed
• Go over project goals and define outcomes
• Establish shared expectations

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Meeting your MenteeSite Visit

• Schedule visit to market
• Take time to observe, make notes, take photos
• Talk with vendors, sponsors, or whoever is
  relevant for their opinions
• Touch base with mentee

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Is there synergy? Check in time

• Has the manager been able to clearly identify
  goals for you to work on?
• Do you feel competent to address needs of market?
• Can you work with the mentee?
• IF NOT, Let Diane know

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Preparing for a Worthwhile Experience

• Develop shared understanding and expectations
  between mentor-mentee
• Develop a Work Plan based on goals identified
  jointly with mentee
• List priority topics that need to be addressed
  and ways they might be addressed
• Develop a timeline for gathering/sharing info to
  address needs
• Develop a communication plan

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No Magic Bullet

• You cant solve all the problems
• Avoid giving advice, rather share experiences
• Actions are up to the mentee
• Some mentees may not accept advice
• Mentees may not follow your advice

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Project Timeline

• March Mentee Training
• plus additional mentor training
• April Match letters will be sent
• Contact your mentee background info
• May Visit mentee - establish project goals and
  identify action steps, timeline
• June? Visit market
• July-October follow-up activities
• Nov-Dec summary report

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How much time to spend with follow-up

• Depends on the need to be addressed
• Stay focused
• Depends on your availability
• Direct mentee to other resources where
  appropriate

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Types of Problems

• Vendor problem not enough, mix, etc.
• Market location/layout
• Market rules/enforcement
• Attracting customers
• Market promotion, events
• Fundraising, fees, etc.
• Friend of Market organizations

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How to address them

• Gather information
• Analyze the current situation
• Identify roadblocks
• Suggest alternatives
• Reinforce what is being done well
• Develop action steps for accomplishing
  goals/changes/vision

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Need Help? Contact Diane or Monika

• Diane Eggert
• diane.eggert_at_verizon.net
• 315-637-4690
• Monika Roth
• mr55_at_cornell.edu
• 607-272-2292

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Questions?