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Keywords: Electronic mail, Mentoring, Coaching, Learning
The virtues of mentoring within organisations have long since been extolled by many of the leading authorities in the field and HR people, but little is still known about the e-mentoring approach. Some organizations have flirted with e-mentoring but few have come close to emulating the successes that have been achieved in the areas of business-to-business in the UK (see Box 1) or business to university in the USA. Why, we might ask ourselves, when e-mail is such a prevalent means of communication throughout the corporate world should this be? It cannot be the technology that causes the problem, so perhaps it is our lack of understanding of e-mentoring's key features and benefits?
Key features
Here are just some of the key features of a well-designed e-mentoring program:
1. Professionally developed registration process:
* ensures quality data is captured for matching participants.
2. Quality on-line training and development material:
* provides immediate benefits;
* helps to set expectations; and
* helps mentee to take ownership of the relationship earlier.
3. Self-assessment programme for mentors:
* allows them to identify their own development needs against the core competencies of mentoring.
4. Well designed matching criteria:
* location ceases to be a consideration, thus we can concentrate on skills, experience and knowledge.
5. Managed introduction for e-mentoring relationship:
* program of facilitation messages and progress questionnaires;
* no fault divorces; and
* confidential.
6. Web-based support, tools and information.
7. Managed endings.
Technology
Whilst e-mentoring could simply be two people exchanging e-mail addresses and then communicating on that basis, for organizations to get the most from such a project it would certainly need a number of the features outlined above. My definition for e-mentoring is:
Utilizing technology, e-mentoring is the process by which two people assist each other to grow and learn in a safe and supportive relationship.
It should use the full potential of technology to achieve its objectives, and...