BUSINESS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
"It is your attitude more than your aptitude that determines your altitude" -Brian Tracy
DON'T BE PUZZLED BY THE REAL WORLD OF BUSINESS
| The next monthly BMP meeting will take place on November 10 (Tuesday). Please come to Mooney 207 at 12:30 PM for a group photo session. Dress up if you can. |
List of Business Mentors | BMP Teams 2008-2009
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BE EAGER BE ACTIVE BE INVOLVED BE INQUISITIVE BE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS AND IDEAS BE WILLING TO LEARN BE WILLING TO TEACH; BE YOURSELF
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Six Things That Help You Succeed in This Program:
Commitment - Do your part on this program; you will get out of this what you choose to invest in.
Communication - There are two types, talking and active listening. Be customer focused; return phone calls, emails etc.
Enjoy the program
Have Fun with the program
Learn
Grow
"Everyday there is an opportunity waiting to be discovered"
- Tony Overman
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Frequently Asked Questions and Additional Program Information:
Who are They and What Do Business Mentors Do?
What are the Benefits of a Mentoring Program?
Goals Sought by Business Students through Their Mentors
Mentoring Program Expectations
What the Program Expects of Both Mentors and Students
Some Possible Discussion Topics
Possible Activities
Who are They and What Do Business Mentors Do?
Our mentors are successful corporate executives and entrepreneurs from Arkansas and other states who volunteer their time out of their desire to "give back" because of the success they have enjoyed. Many of them graduated from Henderson, and were the beneficiaries of good mentoring while in school and in their careers. They have a strong desire to help our students maximize their potential for success. Mentors give advice and constructive feedback on students’ work and behavior, personal skills, and provide formal and informal instruction on organizational politics, and technical information related to business. Mentors provide students with introductions to contacts inside their own organizations as well as outside business contacts. They provide opportunities for students to demonstrate and enhance their business and personal skills. Together the team members and mentor determine the focus areas and goals desired for the team to address during the two-semester session, making each individual team a customized entity.
What are the Benefits of a Mentoring Program?
Mentors - Our mentors have expressed to us the great personal satisfaction they derive from associating with and contributing to the development of our outstanding young people in the School of Business. They are able to interact with potential employees, evaluating their capabilities in an informal relationship. There are opportunities for them to meet other mentors and enhance their own network of successful business people. Lastly, the mentors appreciate the opportunity to indirectly provide "pay back" for the help they received from good mentors during their education and early in their careers.
Students - Our students gain invaluable first-hand information from successful professionals who share their time, knowledge and experiences with them. Students have access to companies and guest speakers (see link to Lecture Series Schedule above) and an opportunity to develop a close professional relationship with an executive in a successful business, nonprofit corporation, or government agency. All this serves to help the student grow in skills and knowledge, provide contacts for possible internships or employment, and provides a better understanding of what is desired and expected of them when they enter the business world. Because "knowledge is power", this program serves as a great self-confidence booster for the student.
Goals Sought by Business Students through Their Mentors
The following mentoring objectives are most often mentioned by students:
· To gain real business world exposure, connections, and insights regarding real-life business situations,
concerns, and issues.
· To learn about their mentor’s job, business, or industry.
· To acquire information on business functions (marketing, accounting, etc.)
· To learn business and management techniques.
· To obtain career advice and understanding.
· To apply and supplement textbook and classroom concepts.
· To develop business, social and political skills.
· To make contacts within the business community that will be potentially useful in selecting internships (all BMP students are encouraged to complete an internship) or possible employment.
Mentoring Program Expectations
What Mentors Can Reasonably Expect From Students-- When a student agrees to participate in the business mentor program, a mentor can expect him or her to:
· Meet with the mentor as often as schedules permit. The minimum to keep the relationship productive seems to be once a month during the academic year, but groups can meet more often than that.
· Be considerate of the mentor’s time. Return phone calls or email messages promptly. Be on time. Attend all
scheduled meetings. Come to each meeting with a prepared agenda.
· Suggest topics to be discussed at mentor meetings.
· Keep commitments made to the mentor.
· Make suggestions for companies they would like to visit. Ask the mentor for suggestions or advice.
· Keep confidences between the two of them.
· Work out any minor concerns about the relationship.
What Students Can Reasonably Expect From Mentors-- At the same time, it is reasonable for the student to expect the mentor to:
1. Attend regular meetings
2. Provide sound advice on business and career-related concerns.
3. Follow through on commitments.
4. Keep confidences.
5. Help resolve any conflicts that may arise.
6. Be honest yet caring and diplomatic in feedback provided.
What the Program Expects of Both Mentors and Students
· Hold at least four meetings per school year. The average meeting time should be 1-2 hours.
· Alert the BMP Director immediately if it appears that the group is having problems (i.e., holding meetings,
establishing goals and agendas, maintaining productive relationships, etc.).
The Mentor and Students Should Expect the Faculty Director to:
· Be available to them by phone, in person, or, respond promptly to email.
· Be a sounding board on the mentoring program and mentor-student relationships.
· Help resolve problems or conflicts.
· Reassign students to a different mentor if appropriate.
· Replace mentors who must leave the program for whatever reasons.
Possible Discussion Topics
1. Methods, techniques, and guidelines for brainstorming.
2. The Quality Improvement Process
3. Managing ethics in the corporation.
4. Dealing with gender issues.
5. Developing a business plan and starting a new business.
6. Differing work environments and managerial styles.
7. ‘Dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of behavior as an employee.
8. How to teach/learn delegation
9. The process of downsizing in a local firm to reduce costs and layers of management.
10. Cultural differences between North American and international business persons.
11. Cultural differences among employees within the United States.
12. Review a best selling business book.
13. Develop/critique student resumes.
14. Exploring what entry-level positions are available in a particular field of business.
15. How to go about getting a job in a particular field.
16. How to market oneself.
17. How to secure an internship.
18. Internship opportunities available in the mentor’s firm.
19. Types of products/services and types of customers of the company.
20. What are the operations/activities of specific departments within a company (i.e.. marketing, finance, human resources, accounting, manufacturing, engineering, information systems/computers, etc.).
21. Discuss mergers/acquisitions and divestment’s made by the company.
22. Discussions of Assigned Readings (e.g., from The Wall Street Journal)
23. Incentive pay programs
24. Private vs. public ownership of a company
25. Federal budget and tax issues
26. Case Project Discussion
Possible Activities
1. Tour of the team mentor or other mentors’ companies and a review of their products and services.
2. Hold a combined meeting with another mentor group.
3. Exchange meetings with another mentor.
4. Visit "X" Bank. Discuss the general overview of the company, the operation of the various departments within the
bank, and financial relationships to businesses.
5. Visits to mentors’ clients, ad agencies, accounting firms, bankers, attorneys, and vendors.
6. Shadow the mentor for a day.
7. Have a picnic at the mentor’s home or elsewhere.
8. Go bowling, play golf, go boating, etc., with the mentor.
9. Combine a business-related activity (e.g., watching an educational video, discuss a reading assignment, etc.) with a fun activity such as going out for pizza, or having sodas and popcorn with the mentor.
Letters from Current and Former BMP Mentees
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:47 PM
To: Godwin, Darrell R
Subject: Thank You
Mr. Godwin:
It was good to visit with you last week at the Business Advisory Council meeting and BMP luncheon. Your contributions as the Director of the BMP program and as a mentor are of great importance to us and our future. This is just a follow-up "thank you" for designating your time and valuable knowledge to ensure our success in the present and future. The BMP program is a great conduit for students such as myself to experience real world scenarios, and meet mentors that contribute to our development. This is a program that I believe in and I think will only get better as the years progress. Again, thanks for investing your time and contributing to our success.
Sincerely,
Abe Fountain
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 11:39 AM
To: Godwin, Darrell R
Subject: Hello
Hello Mr. Godwin,
How are you doing? I appreciate that you and Abe gave me credit in the presentation. It was a great experience to work with you in the Mentorship program. I am extremely sorry; I have not been able to write to you since the time I came to New York.
New York is an awesome place. I am staying in Newport, New Jersey. The Hudson River is across the street from my apartment. Do let me know if you visit NY anytime, it would be a pleasure meeting you. I do miss Arkadelphia and the wonderful people there.
My job responsibilities are in brand management and client servicing. I am enjoying my work.
This would not have happened without your expert guidance. "Thank you" is a very small word by which I can express my gratitude.
Yours sincerely,
Smita Deshmukh