European Seminar Mentoring on Employability and Entrepreneurship Helsinki Finnish experience on mentoring Ritva Nyberg

Mentor and mentee Mentor is a skilled, experienced and esteemed person who is willing to support and advise a less experienced person without financial compensation Mentee is a less experienced person who is willing and able to develop both as a person and in her/his profession

Personal Experience on mentoring - Highlights 1995 Mentor (individual), Project: The Finnish Association of Business School Graduates, 1996 – 2009 Managing Director for Women`s Enterprise Agency 1999 Mentor (individual, mentee from Estonia), International project with 15 countries 2002 Mentor (individual) Project: The Helsinki School of Economics, 2010 Mentor (two immigrant groups), Project: Diacony University of Supplied Sciences Chair of the Steering Group of the project ”Mentoring for Entrepreneurs” coordinated by The Regional Organisation of Enterprises in Helsinki

Women´s Enterprise Agency 1996 established, 1998 pilot project, individual mentoring for female starters in business in Helsinki area, financed by the Ministry of Labour dissemination of the model in Finland and abroad 2002 first group mentoring project and dissemination in Finland and abroad 2002 ”Best practise”, nominated by the European Commission

Dissemination abroad: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Kaliningrad, Mozambique, Namibia, Ukraine, Morocco first prize in ”Enterprise Award” competition in the category ”Investment in Skills” organised by the European Commission Participation in several EU projects with the expertise in mentoring

What is mentoring? A development process which has a start and an end Is based on confidential pair meetings or group meetings Connects the fresh ideas of the mentees to the mentors` experience, wisdom and networks The age is not crucial, the experience is

Mentoring, many variations Individual mentoring Group mentoring Mentoring for entrepreneurs Mentoring for students, cooperation with Laurea University of supplied sciences Mentoring for immigrants, cooperation with Diacony University of Supplied Sciences Mentoring supporting the training, cooperation with Institute of Marketing and Chamber of Commerce Institute International mentoring, piloting Finland-Lithuania

The mentoring process Selection of the mentees: application forms, personal interviews made by the coordinator Selection and recruiting the mentors: according to the needs and wishes of the mentees Preparatory phase (mentee training, mentor training) Pairing, group forming First meeting of pairs / groups Mentoring contract Regular meetings Additional activities: networking, seminars Conclusion of the process

Tools for mentoring Mentoring contract SWOT analysis Goals of the mentees / the groups Diary of the meetings Path towards the goal, step by step Business plan

Benefits for the mentor A chance to help the mentee succeed Positive publicity and image New contacts and networks Personal growth New ideas and methods

Sarah Brwathnach in the book ”Success ” Success doesn´t only mean a big account balance but also a satisfied heart and a peaceful mind