Bridging the Gap: Building a Global Mentoring Program with GroupM
with Fiona Cameron,
Senior Learning and Development Business Partner,
GroupM
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2024
"Our mentoring program allows everyone to connect with, and across, all subject matter experts in the organisation that were invisible across these agencies until now.
In a hybrid working environment, it's so important that we have that as a platform for everybody to access across the organisation."
The Challenge: Scaling Mentoring Across a Diverse Organisation
Before adopting Mentorloop, GroupM faced significant challenges in managing a single mentoring programme across multiple agencies within a matrix structure. Valuable skills were not being shared effectively, and the logistics of running a cross-agency programme were too complex and time-consuming. Localised mentoring programmes that we had in place we had in place were often restrictive, excluding many due to their limited scale and scope. We knew we needed a solution that would make mentoring more accessible and inclusive for everyone across GroupM.
It wasn’t equitable or inclusive as a practice – and we wanted to change that.
Transforming mentoring at GroupM
With Mentorloop, we have transformed our mentoring programme, making it accessible, scalable, and easy to manage across all business areas. We choose to use the platform for a skills-based matching model, which allows employees of all levels, locations, and backgrounds to connect, share expertise, and develop new skills in areas, such as confidence, AI knowledge, or management, and leadership.
The impact of adopting a centralised approach has created a more connected workforce, enabling employees to benefit from a broad network of subject matter experts. The positive feedback from both mentors and mentees shows that the programme is fostering a community of individuals eager to share their knowledge and grow together.
"It allows everyone to connect with and across all subject matter experts in the organisation that were largely invisible across these business areas, until now. In a hybrid working environment, this platform ensures everyone, regardless of location, can access mentoring opportunities."
In summary, the impact is a more connected, valued workforce where everyone benefits from this positive experience, and GroupM investing sends a positive message to support all employees at all stages in their careers.
Ensuring Equal Access and Opportunity
One of our top priorities with the ‘Your Bridge’ mentoring programme is ensuring equal access. The skill-based, non-hierarchical structure means employees at all levels and stages of their careers can participate, either as mentors, mentees, or both. We have worked closely with our HR and DEI teams to ensure that all language and training materials are inclusive and accessible as possible to all.
"The programme is available to all employees who have passed their probation period, and participants are encouraged to join from every region, with mentors and mentees matched across borders—from London to America—thanks to the Mentorloop platform."
Creating a Lasting Mentoring Culture
Mentoring is quickly becoming an integral part of GroupM’s culture. Through our internally branded ‘YourBridge,’ mentoring platform, we’ve cultivated an enthusiastic network of individuals committed to supporting each other’s growth. Our goal is to continue expanding this programme globally, integrating it with our in-house performance cycles, and hosting regular events to keep participants engagement growing and consistent.
Future Plans: Expanding 'Your Bridge' Globally
Our future plans are ambitious. After a successful UK pilot in 2023, we expanded to run pilots in EMEA and global markets. Now, we aim to fully roll out ‘Your Bridge’ across all our markets. Mentorloop will be instrumental in this, helping us scale globally while maintaining the integrity of the program.
GroupM created digital training modules, for both mentees and mentors, including DEI-focused content on privilege and inclusivity, to ensure our cultural values are reflected and integrated in the programme. To further embed mentoring in our company culture, we are appointing a ‘Your Bridge’ executive sponsor, incorporating the benefits of mentoring within our induction programmes, and promoting participation through introducing ‘Your Bridge’ champions in every business area.
Looking ahead, we plan to host live networking events, expand peer-to-peer mentoring for women in leadership, and integrate our mentoring alongside our employee engagement platform, Culture Amp. Our vision is for ‘Your Bridge’ to be a fully inclusive, global initiative that fosters collaboration and growth for all employees.
Fiona Cameron
Senior Learning and Development Business Partner at GroupM
Share this Article
Join the loop
Get updates and learn from the best mentoring programs
We want this to be a fully cross-agency, all-inclusive global mentoring platform that anybody can access and it's central to all. What an amazing thing that would be, for everybody to share the skills and knowledge and experience they have with other people within our agencies.
That's our ambition and we hope to do that using the Mentorloop platform.
Fiona Cameron,
Senior Learning and Development Business Partner at GroupM
You might also like:
What Role Does Equity and Equality Play in Your Mentoring Program?
The right mentoring program should level the playing field to empower entire cohorts of people: workplaces, member associations, social groups and educational institutions. Equality should be a cherished value so that every individual can thrive—whoever they are, whatever their background, however they worship or whomever they love. But we can’t arrive at equality without it’s often forgotten partner, equity.
What does a Mentoring Program Coordinator do?
Being a Mentoring Program Coordinator is an incredibly rewarding experience that positively impacts the lives of many. And while mentoring programs don’t fully run themselves (even though Mentorloop can do a great deal of the heavy lifting!), they do require a point of contact that can steer the program in the right direction for the organisation that is running one.
Building Quality Feedback Into Mentoring Relationships
This is Part 8 of our 10-part series on the 10 Key Qualities and Habits of a Highly Effective Mentor.
In this post, we’ll look at how mentors can successfully build quality feedback into their mentoring. Quality feedback is priceless because it clarifies expectations, helps people learn from their mistakes, and builds confidence. It also allows mentees to more effectively take what their mentors say and turn it into action.
Discover why
people leaders
choose Mentorloop
Trusted by over 100,000 people worldwide
