Mentor Lin Riley and Mentoree Delwyn Hanns talk about their experiences within a mentoring relationship.
Lin and Delwyn participated in the Australian Businesswomen’s Network MentorNet program. For more information on MentorNet, please click here.
The Mentor: Lin Riley, Logistic and Training Consultancy
Why did you become a mentor?
I wanted to go through the process of utilising my experience and assisting women in business.
What were you hoping to get from the experience?
Learning and development of a network of young businesswomen and myself.
What is the biggest challenge of being a mentor?
Mentoring is a challenge if you don’t have a genuine commitment to the process.
What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned?
That there is a great benefit to all involved and there is a great support network now available to women.
What would you say to anyone considering being a Mentor in the MentorNet program?
The rewards far out-weigh any initial reluctance when you watch the enthusiasm of participants and share their achievements, life/work balance and skills, is rewarding in itself.
How has being a Mentor helped you achieve a goal or goals?
MentorNet has defined my role and validated my ability to offer my life choices, mistakes, experience to all. It has helped me clarify my ability and focus on my own personal growth as I really do have something to offer.
How would you say the MentorNet program helps women achieve their goals?
Once trust is gained, women have the wonderful ability to explore all options.
Any additional comments
My pod was extremely motivating as the commitment of all the girls was evident from their approach and willingness to participate fully, therefore I genuinely believe they maximised the benefits of the program.
The MentorNet program and all involved have been inspiring. Quality material, presentations, professional approach and FUN!
The Mentoree: Delwyn Hanns, Gift Shop Online
Why did you become a mentoree?
I wanted to make major changes to my business and although I had been in business for 3 years, I felt I had a lot to learn to be able to successfully do this.
What were you hoping to get from the experience?
I was looking for some guidance and a better understanding of business management.
What is the biggest challenge of being a mentoree?
I wouldn’t say there is a challenge, there is a big commitment to get all of the work done, but by doing this I gained a much better understanding of what the course was teaching me.
What is the most powerful thing you’ve learned?
Probably the most powerful thing I have learned is to plan for my business growth and set goals. Also to write down my goals so that they become a real aspect to my business. On a personal level I learned that I am not alone, it is comforting to know that there are a lot of women who are riding the same rollercoaster that I am.
What would you say to anyone considering being a Mentoree in the MentorNet program?
Do yourself a favour and start now. You will find you are a completely different person after the 6 months with a much clearer idea of where you are taking your business.
How has having a Mentor helped you achieve a goal or goals?
My mentor Lin taught us to set both small goals as well as the larger, further off goals. By having a list of small goals to achieve we found it much easier to get everything done in our businesses, also we could proudly report back to Lin on our achievements.
How has the MentorNet program helped you achieve a goal or goals?
The MentorNet program has taught me how to set out goals in every area of my business from financial to marketing, also how to gauge if I am on track to meet these goals. My goal for last year was to start importing my own products, this process was made a lot easier with my mentor Lin’s expertise and guidance.
Any additional comments
I thoroughly recommend the MentorNet program, it has given me access to expert tutors that I otherwise would have no way of interacting with.
