The benefits of mentoring
Transferring
knowledge from those who have worked in a company for many years to
fresh talent who determine the company's future is an essential part of
company success. The best way to do this is through a mentoring program.
This is not only beneficial to the newcomer, but it also benefits the
company as a whole. Below we discuss the benefits for the newcomer, for
the mentor, and for the company.
What the newcomer gets from the mentor
Having
a mentor helps a new co-worker find his or her way in the company. The
mentor teaches the new starter about techniques used in the company, and
shows how to work with methods in a way that allows for immediate
application. The mentor provides the newcomer with constant feedback and
introduces them to his or her own contacts. This is particularly
helpful for the new starter as it significantly expands their network
and increases their ability to perform well over the long term.
What the mentor gets from working with a newcomer
Though
the mentor is tasked with passing on knowledge to the newcomer, the
pupil can also teach the teacher. Since the new employee is more than
likely fresh out of university, he or she can help the more experienced
employee learn new tricks of the trade. If the newcomer previously
worked in a different department, then the mentor gains insight into the
inner workings of that department. What's more, mentoring allows the
teacher to directly influence his team's efficiency by dictating just
how things are done.
How the company profits
When the
training comes from those who have already worked in the organisation
for years, the company can save the money and time required for external
training sessions. Mentoring facilitates the transfer of knowledge
within or between departments, ensuring that knowledge is not lost when
new talent ultimately takes over. The process also makes it easier for
companies to induct new employees, easing their transition into the
organisation or into a new department. No matter how you look at it,
mentoring is beneficial to everyone involved and does much to contribute
to a company's ongoing success.
