Last October, I reviewed a study that had just come out from Endeavor highlighting the importance of quality mentoring for a startup’s success. The study found that founders who received mentoring from top performing entrepreneurs were three times as likely to become top performers themselves compared with peers. The study’s conclusion: quality mentoring matters.
To learn more about what the new year will bring, I reached out to Phil George and Andy George, Founders of MentorcliQ, to find out their take on the best mentoring trends of 2019.
Companies Will Begin Establishing Mentoring Cultures
“We’re witnessing the distinct evolution of mentoring as a business tool. It has evolved from its organic roots where employees naturally built networks and developed interpersonal professional relationships, to more formally-structured mentoring programs,” the Georges explain. “In the coming year, a new multi-program approach — leveraging technology — will make mentoring a full-time component of the workplace environment and a vital part of contemporary job culture.”
Mentoring will Become a Business Priority
As CEO, Phil’s job is to help companies develop and complete talent strategies including employee development programs driven by mentoring. “We’re seeing mentoring becoming a business necessity for companies of all sizes, not just the larger enterprises,” he notes. “We’ve seen a 200%-300% increase in programs initiated by employers with under 5,000 employees. Now, even program with fewer than 1,000 employees are investing in mentoring programs. Organized, results-measuring programs, which require corporate funding, are getting the green light because they are seen as smart investments. These programs offer with positive returns to both the business and the employees.” He adds that almost all Fortune 500 companies have active mentoring programs — a focus that will grow this year among smaller companies as well.
Mentoring Programs will Deploy on Mobile Platforms.
“We have seen a 20% increase in mobile and tablet usage in the last two years. This trend will continue to increase in 2019 and beyond,” says Andy. “Employees find that mentoring apps give them the flexibility they need to engage effectively in a mentoring program. This will make measuring and monitoring the program outcomes easier and automatic.”
Mentoring Will Include Diversity and Inclusion Training
The duo suggests you watch how HR departments will provide more transparency, with programs especially designed to focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. “Mentoring programs are an excellent channel to instill egalitarian workplace values, and transfer their tenets from one generation to the next. Mentoring programs are a great way to engage underrepresented workplace groups in any organization,” they note. They add that these programs are especially helpful in addressing gender issues. There is a 72% retention rate for women who have gone through company mentoring programs.
Mico-Mentoring Programs Will Thrive
“Watch for an evolution in 2019 and beyond of an informal mentoring culture, where people move within and between explicit mentoring programs. The relationships are supported by technology and management but are more self-directed. Informal mentoring programs are spawning organic, self-supporting, user-based networks whose influence reaches well beyond the workplace, and into the wider community,” concludes Phil.
His final prediction is that “micro-groups” will emerge – such as Dads of NY. These mentoring groups attract hundreds of participants based on common interests and goals outside the workplace, but with the same focus on improving outcomes.
For business looking to stay ahead of the trends (and build quality businesses using the latest studies as a guide), it is clear that fostering strong mentoring programs of all kinds is the way to go in 2019 and beyond.
