The first two weeks of your mentoring program can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, we’re here to help!
Here are the five steps we recommend Program Coordinators take in the first two weeks after launch so they can ensure they’re making the most of their mentoring software.
1. Customise your program
Customise your mentoring program with your own logo, colours, and program name. This will give participants consistency in the tools they use, which is especially important for more corporate programs where branding is a priority.
Customisation will also make your participants feel “at home” and that this program is part of your organisation’s ecosystem.
2. Create a welcome message
It may not seem like it, but creating a welcome message for participants is important. Why? Because it provides you, the Program Coordinator, not only with an opportunity to leave a great first impression but a way to open up a direct line of communication. The latter will be especially important later when you need to collect feedback.
A welcome message also provides you with an opportunity to show participants how invested you are in their success. For example, you can let them know you’ve prepared recommended guides and resources for them.
When it comes to crafting your welcome message, make it personal and encourage participants to contact you directly if they have any issues. An impersonal, generic message will suggest that your mentoring program is unimportant and something the C-Suite and/or PCs are not fully invested in.
3. Check your sign-ups
Check in regularly on your participants’ sign-up status and reach out to people who may have gotten halfway through the process but have yet to complete their profiles.
Gently encourage them to complete the process by themselves OR reach out and ask for your help if they need it—this personal touch is really effective at nudging people along.
4. Tag and filter your participants
It’s good to tag and filter your participants early on so you can keep track of how certain groups are doing. You can also use these tags and filters to segment your bulk messages, keep track of various groups within your cohort—like participants in different departments or locations—and more.
You can also track if different groups are progressing differently; this can help you figure out if there are any blocks, bottlenecks, or additional support required!
5. Complete your recommended reading list
Complete your recommended reading list early so that you can better guide your participants throughout their journey. Here at Mentorloop, we have guides for:
- How to approach the first meeting between mentors and mentees
- Tips on how to be a good mentor or mentee
- The best steps to take when it comes to goal-setting
- And more!
But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to recommend content specific to your program’s goals, as recommended reading will be different for each kind of program and organisation.
For example, DEI programs may need some additional content on cultural sensitivity, whereas onboarding programs may need a refresher on your organisation’s values and how you put them into action.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
We believe this guide on what you need to do in the first two weeks of managing your mentoring program will give you the best chance of success. By ticking off these tasks in the early days, you’ll set your program up for long-term success as well!
Ready to learn what type of mentoring program is best for your organisation?
Check out the Program Explorer!
