Early Warning Mentoring for SMEs

This course is designed to develop and enhance your competences as a mentor and to provide the tools, insights and perspectives needed for the successful delivery of early warning mentoring services to businesses at risk of failure.  

The initial focus is on how to approach potential mentees and initiate the mentoring relationship, keeping in mind the needs of companies and business owners. In this first module, we discuss how to identify problems and how to build trust and formalize the mentor-mentee relationship. We then go on to discuss how to listen attentively, provide feedback, and ask questions that encourage self-reflection and problem-solving. Finally, we discuss mentoring styles and responsibilities and how to develop an approach that is consistent with the learning style, personality, and overall development goals of the mentee. 

Defining Mentors and Mentees

A MENTOR is an experienced and knowledgeable individual who offers guidance, support and expertise to another person. In the context of this course we refer specifically to business mentoring and the provision of support to business owners and entrepreneurs, whose companies are facing potential failure. Mentors bring valuable insights and perspectives gained from their own successes and failures and they leverage their own industry knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Mentors are responsible for providing objective advice and constructive feedback, helping others to identify and address the root causes of their business challenges and offering guidance on strategic planning, financial management, operational efficiency, and other key matters. Mentors also serve as role models and sources of inspiration, helping to instill confidence and resilience in the business owners and entrepreneurs that they work with, as they attempt to navigate through difficult times.

A MENTEE is a recipient of guidance and support from a mentor. In the context of business mentoring, the mentee is typically an owner, leader or executive from the company who is seeking guidance to overcome critical challenges and restore the company’s viability. Mentees acknowledge the need for assistance and actively engage with the business mentor. The primary responsibility of a mentee is to be open-minded, receptive and willing to implement changes on the basis of the guidance and support received. They must actively participate in the mentoring relationship, sharing relevant information about their business, seeking clarification when needed, and taking ownership of the decision-making process. Mentees should be proactive in learning from the mentor’s experiences, asking questions, and seeking guidance on specific areas of concern. It is crucial for the mentee to demonstrate commitment, resilience, and a willingness to adapt and change strategies and practices, where necessary.

Social Learning, Comments and Discussions 

The process of learning involves ongoing internal dialogue, as we attempt to make sense of new knowledge and opinions, as presented by educators and other learners. Social learning also allows for learning through the observation of others, including in virtual and online platforms, and we especially encourage this aspect among learners in this course, by inviting individual and country-based insights and experiences to be shared in the comments section at the end of each individual learning step. 

Comments will be shown in chronological order, but you might also see insightful responses pinned at the top of the comment box by the lead educator, which can help you to focus on those comments that are especially pertinent. There is also a like function that you can use to highlight particularly useful or insightful comments. You can also comment on the comments of others, building a wider conversation.  

Tools, Downloads and Links 

In some learning steps, you will also be provided with tools or templates that you can access and download to help with your future mentoring activities. In other cases, links will be provided to additional third-party resources or materials that will allow you to explore a topic in more detail. 

Once again, welcome to the course!