Soft Skills Create Hard Wins for Your SME

CEDECCEDECMentoring ServicesMentoring Services

In partnership with

RÉSEAU M

An Organized NetworkTop-of-the-line program with a code of ethics;standardized approach;Mediated by an Ombudsman;Volunteers serve as accredited mentors;19 regional councils that ensure the development and promotion of the mentoring services across Quebec.

“A program that doubles the life expectancy of businesses in the first five years of operations by mentoring and working closely with business owners.”

More than 90 mentoring cells are supported by lead organizations such as:CLD, SADC, Chambers of Commerce, SAJE, CEDEC, etc.

Two new councils outside of QuebecRDÉE OntarioCentre de développement économique de l’Alberta

Outside CanadaFranceTunisia

RÉSEAU M

RÉSEAU M

Mentorship services in numbers (2013)more than 3,350 mentees annuallyclose to 1,650 mentors

Mentorship is available:to all entrepreneursregardless of the activity sector they are in, andregardless of the growth stage of the business (from startups to succession)

MENTORSHIP FOR ENTREPRENEURS

DEFINITION:A supportive relationship based on mutual trust and respect;

A special relationship between a seasoned individual (the volunteer-mentor) who wishes to share his experience with an entrepreneur (the mentee) through a volunteer accompaniment;

A relationship of exchange between entrepreneurs where real life experiences are shared;

The mentor fosters the development of business soft skills and the honing of entrepreneurial knowledge.

“Examples are the best tool to fuel and focus discussions on.”

BENEFITS OF MENTORSHIP

Growth of Soft SkillsDevelop and refine critical and creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, negotiation and communications skills, efficient organizational skills, team work, and resilience.

Breaking of isolation Finding the needed support, an attentive ear, motivation and encouragement.

Lowering stressReaching a better balance between professional and personal life.

“Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes, fools by their own.”

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SOFT SKILLS

Mentorship for entrepreneurs is unique in the way it addresses the entrepreneurs' soft skills.

This concept encompasses:

General capabilities (initiative, perseverance, creativity, organizational skills, critical thinking, etc.);Transferable skills (communication skills, research, personal growth, etc.);Cross-sectoral skills (organizational skills, negotiation skills, team work, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, etc.).Work and home life balance

A MENTOR IS KNOWN FOR THEIR …

Experience; Humbleness; Capacity to listen and question; Desire to develop their community/environment; Availability, their accessibility, and adaptability; Positive attitudes, patience, and flexibility; Human values and open-mindedness; Honesty and frankness; Integrity and ethics.

MENTOR’S ROLE

Work with the entrepreneur, not the business; Encourage and motivate; Refocus on problematic situations; Reassure the mentee and provide an outlet for stress; Focus on long term vision; Listen actively; Share his capacity for critical thinking; Challenge the decisions made by the mentee; Develop one's capacity to become a better mentor.

"You cannot anticipate the future, but you can prepare for it."

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONSULTANT, A COACH AND A MENTOR

Know-how (business)

Soft Skills (entrepreneur

s)

How to differentiate between consulting, coaching and

mentoring

EACH OF US HAS A ROLE, AND TO EACH HIS OWN!

CONSULTANT: an expert who recommends courses of actions and solutions;

COACH: a content expert who develops a particular skill (know-how);

MENTOR: a generalist who has extensive years of business experience. The mentor works on the individual, not the business (soft skills).

"Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.”

THE ROLE OF A MENTEE IS …

To freely accept the expertise of a mentor in order to improve his entrepreneurial soft skills;

To have a positive attitude toward the mentorship relationship; To follow the mentorship code of ethics; To build an open and frank relationship with his mentor; To be driven by a need to succeed as an individual; To have a desire to learn and grow.

The mentee is entirely accountable for his actions and decisions.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A DYAD

A voluntary and mutual commitment; Length of time needed for the mentee to reach his goals;

(average 18 – 24 month commitment); Mutual trust and respect; Monthly 90-minute meetings scheduled according to the

mentee's pace; Meetings are in person (preferred option) or via Skype should

mentor and mentee not be located in same area; Any necessary/desirable exchanges between meetings

(phone calls, e-mails); Participation in any relevant workshops, networking and

promotional opportunities.

MAJOR STEPS LEADING TO A DYAD

Coordinator has informal telephone conversations with potential mentees/mentors;

Interested parties register in Connecto, Réseau M data bank; Formal interviews are conducted by coordinator and

accredited mentor, using Réseau M material; Results are presented at Mentors Club meetings with

recommendations; Mentors Club agrees on the creation of dyads based on pool

of mentees/mentors available; and Dyads are proposed to mentees and an initial meeting is set

up by coordinator.

DYADS’ WORKINGS

A 300$ annual fee is payable by the mentee prior to initial dyad meeting;

Mentors/mentees sign an agreement as well as adhering to Réseau M Confidentiality policy and Code of ethics;

Monitoring of dyads is conducted (telephone conversations and questionnaires) by coordinator;

Dyads considered unsuccessful will be terminated and new matches proposed when appropriate; and

Mentors/mentees who do not respect their signed commitments will no longer be part of CEDEC mentoring services.

Thank you for your interest and participation!

If you have any further questions, please contact:Michel Théroux

Coordinator, Mentoring Services ProgramSmall Business Support – Powered by CEDEC

(SBS)514.903.3753 (ext. 230)mentorship@cedec.ca

www.cedec.ca/mentorship

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!