We are only one month into the program however I see the Mentornet program as an opportunity to meet many like minded people but from a diverse range of backgrounds and businesses.
Experienced program co-ordinators and mentors keep you all on track during the modules and faciliate information exchange. You learn through participant interaction and communications in their ‘barest, most uninhibited form’ that despite all the differences in products, services and businesses, there are always common threads and there is always something to learn.
MentorNet also provides a fabulous opportunity (with confidentiality agreements in place) to bounce ideas, concerns, obstacles and achievements off others and also to be able to contribute your own learning experiences in return. I am sure that those who feel that they do not yet have the ‘experience to contibute’ suprise themselves with what they are able to contibute simply through lateral thinking and being the ‘objective bystander’. This is a confidence building activity in itself.
Everyone is involved in the program for a reason and having a mentor on board also gives you the trust and confidence that a wise word and guidance will be there when members feel have progressed as far as they can.
The Mentornet project and environment is based on a little theory + practical exercises (to keep you focused on your own direction) and alot of communication. It creates a level/feeling of ‘commonality’ no matter what stage your business is at. I’m looking forward to reflecting back on the overall experience and new relationships developed when we come to the end of the program – we still have 5 months ahead of us!
Francesca Beattie
