Fostering Over 3000+ Global Employee Connections Through Mentoring
with Michelle Lagrave,
Manager for Coaching and Mentoring,
Philip Morris International
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2022, 2023 and 2024
"There's always been mentoring in different forms at Philip Morris, however, it wasn't always necessarily formalized. And there was no governance around it. And then, of course, it was often siloed, meaning it was not cross-functional, it was not cross-regional, and consequently, not cross-cultural.
Today, we run a truly global mentoring program, connecting employees across all the corners of the world, working together and really breaking down those silos that existed in the past, connecting people to other people."
Challenges Before Mentorloop: Siloed and Unstructured Mentoring
Before Philip Morris International (PMI) launched its iGrow Mentoring Program, mentoring existed in various forms within the company, but it was often informal, siloed, and lacked a structured approach. Mentoring was primarily conducted within specific regions or departments, limiting the cross-functional and cross-cultural collaboration that the company needed. There was no governance in place to manage the mentoring process, and many employees missed out on opportunities to connect, learn, and grow across the global organization.
Impact of the iGrow Mentoring Program
The iGrow Mentoring Program, powered by Mentorloop, has transformed mentoring at PMI into a formalized, global initiative that connects employees across 82 countries. The program has had a profound impact on both mentors and mentees, fostering stronger cross-cultural communication, leadership development, and a sense of belonging across the company.
In 2023, the iGrow Mentoring Program saw 2,600 participants, with impressive results:
- 59% of participants reported an increase in job satisfaction.
- 46% saw an improvement in their job performance.
- 80% of participants said the program helped them develop more empathetic leadership skills.
- 83% said they were better able to understand different perspectives after one year of mentoring.
- 89% of participants reported they were better at building a sense of belonging and fostering togetherness at PMI.
The global reach of the program has helped participants break down barriers, allowing employees to connect with colleagues they would never have met otherwise. Through Mentorloop, PMI has created a space where employees can engage in meaningful, cross-cultural relationships, improving their communication and leadership skills.
Building a Culture of Mentoring at PMI
Over the years, PMI has worked to build a culture of mentoring, encouraging both senior leaders and everyday employees to share their mentoring stories. The iGrow program welcomes all employees to become mentors, as PMI believes everyone has valuable experiences and insights to offer. This openness has empowered employees across all levels to contribute to the mentoring community, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
The program goes beyond professional development, helping employees across the globe connect on a personal level. Whether it’s a working mother in Switzerland or an employee in Vietnam, mentoring has provided a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and learn from one another, breaking down the walls that once existed between regions and departments.
Equal Access and Opportunity For All
The iGrow Mentoring Program is designed to be inclusive, ensuring equal access for all employees. The growth has been astonishing – what began with just 50 participants in a small Swiss city has grown to encompass 2,600 participants across 82 different countries. Now, anyone at PMI can sign up for the program, regardless of their location, role, or experience. The program’s inclusivity has been a key factor in its success, offering employees the chance to connect with mentors and mentees from different cultures and backgrounds.
It just shows that people have this innate desire to connect, to share, and to learn from each other. It’s truly amazing, and when we hear the success stories at the end of the year, it’s just amazing to learn what people have talked about and how close we are to each other without even knowing it. For example, here I am sitting in Switzerland, but I’m probably going through something very similar to someone sitting in Vietnam. Sometimes it just helps to have that person to talk to in a safe space such as mentoring.
With Mentorloop, that opportunity is truly open to everyone. No one’s left out, no one’s left behind, anyone can sign up and have access to this amazing opportunity to build relationships within our organization.
Looking to the Future: Expanding and Evolving
As PMI looks ahead, the iGrow Mentoring Program is set to expand even further, with plans to include around 3,000 participants from over 80 countries in the coming year. The program will continue to evolve, incorporating new features like self-matching, which will give employees greater control over their mentoring relationships by allowing them to choose their own matches based on language, time zone, and shared interests.
With our focus on creating a global culture of mentoring, PMI is committed to empowering its employees to grow, learn, and lead with empathy and understanding. Through Mentorloop, PMI will continue to break down barriers, connect people across cultures, and build a stronger, more inclusive workforce.
Michelle Lagrave
Manager for Coaching and Mentoring, Philip Morris International
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We believe in building bridges, connecting people and bringing us together, which is why we match people across cultures, across regions and across countries - because we truly believe that we are all working in the same organization, we all have the same DNA as a Philip Morris employee.
– Michelle Lagrave,
Manager for Coaching and Mentoring, Philip Morris International
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