INTERVIEW
Prior to the interview
Thank the mentee for their willingness and time to participate in the interview. Discuss and sign consent to participate document – leave a copy with participant. Confirm language preference as was done when the appointment was made. Confirm convenience of time and venue.
Explain role of the recording device.
Discuss any questions/concerns raised by the participant.
1. What about the SBA programme motivated mentees to apply?
Where and from which source did you find out about the mentorship programme and if it did influence decision to join?
Saw the SBA advertisement in the newspaper
The subjects ( Finance, Marketing , Business skills) is what she needed at the time for her business
She had never had mentoring and did not understand it – had to Google “mentoring” to get an idea of what it is and what it can do
2. To what extent have mentees been exposed to coaching and mentoring before their participation in the USB?
If yes, please tell me more (when, by whom and the context)? How was the experience? In your view, what is the
difference between coaching and mentoring?
Never formal mentor training or exposure, but after “Googling” it she realized that in previous positions/roles she did received
mentoring without realizing it was mentoring at the time. No knowledge of coaching or experience (excluding sports
coaching) prior to SBA
She now has a “coaching” relationship with her mentor post the SBA
She describes coaching as guide and “walk beside” – coach has “wisdom”
She describes mentoring as helping, advise and showing – mentor must have “knowledge”
Both these insight definition ns was developed during/post the SBA programme due to the continued relationship with the mentor 3. How did the mentorship training
prepare SBA-student for the mentor- mentee relationship?
To what extent did the
mentorship training contribute to your understanding of what mentoring is? What worked well, what was
most helpful?
What else can be included in the mentorship training to improve your benefit from the relationship?
Yes the training helped, Neil’s input
The roles of the mentor and mentee helped to understand what is coming and what to do
The fact that the mentors briefly introduced themselves and shared skills & experience with mentees
Speed dating helped to connect with mentors in a one on one context - they could ask business & personal questions to mentors Feel 2 days was rushed – 3 days or 2.5 days to spend more
time with mentors to understand & connect.
More time should be allocated to discuss and agree objectives and agreements for development – better understanding of mentee &
4. Can the SBA-student describe how the mentor-mentee relationship was established?
To what extent can you
describe the contribution of the mentor in establishing the mentor-mentee relationship?
They established a personal relationship/connection first Mentor showed interest in the person
Regular check/meetings
Support and guidance with assignments
Patience with mentee – multiple roles & challenges Sensitive to mentee needs & context
Mentor showed commitment – Attend SBA class session to understand & help with assignments
Helped mentee to connect with other mentors when needed (e.g. legal help).
5. Can the SBA-student describe how mentoring contributed to their development?
What about mentoring contributed to your development? Was there enough time for
reflection/ reflective learning during the mentoring? If so, please elaborate. Will you be able to apply
skills/knowledge when you operate independently from your mentor?
She had the confidence to contact mentor – connection & trust Mentor helped to priorities & apply learnings in business context Mentor helped to translate the theory into practice
Academic part was at times too much &mentor helped to give context and show value/benefit to the business
Mentor allowed enough to think – kept going back to what was learnt and what it will mean for the business – form of reflection Yes, business is growing and confidence is growing
Mentee is more open minded to new opportunities and options
6. Can mentees describe where the mentorship programme had the biggest impact on them?
Personal development To complete the SBA
To develop business skills that will ensure the sustainability of the business
Of the above options, where do you think the main focus of the mentorship programme should be?
On personal development and business skills development Personal development – improved communication skills through
coaching, she became aware through coaching of being more “person centered & not “self-centered” – helping the relationship with her staff. Business skills – controls over the money, how to prepare for
meetings & decision making
The mentee’s view the focus should be on all three options
7. How did the mentees ensure that their objectives of the mentoring programme were met?
To what extent did the
mentoring satisfied the objectives that you had set for the process (as per the mentor agreement form)? To what extend did you change
or adapt your objectives for
development during the programme? If objectives were changed,
They had a separate agreement & never referred back to original document
It is to soon to set objectives during post speed dating
Mentee should take ownership of objectives – to achieve and to change
8) What suggestions would you like to make to improve the mentor programme of the SBA?
Access/continued relationship with mentor post the SBA + 1 year
Mentees from previous intake to share success (specifically mentors) with new intake during mentee-mentor training