by Valerie Ryder

We are excited about the success of last year’s PWA mentoring program and would like to share not only our enthusiasm with you, but also some important information on mentoring in general.

So what is mentoring, after all?
Mentoring is a voluntary, not-for-profit relationship between two individuals who each take a defined role: The Mentor is a person with relevant knowledge and experience, while the Mentee is a person who wants to learn from the mentor for her personal and professional development. The basic concept and process of mentoring is simple and straightforward: Mentoring is a relationship that is created to share knowledge and experience for learning in a purposeful way.

To share knowledge and experience refers to the fact that age and seniority are no longer the decisive factors for choosing a mentor with the experience required to face today’s challenges. The traditional form of mentoring, characterized by a “wise elder mentoring the protégé(e)”, has given way to new, more egalitarian forms of mentoring. In the PWA Mentoring Program, there is no minimum age or seniority requirement for mentors.

For learning in a purposeful way is where the key strength of the mentoring process lies. The relationship is based on learning – and effective learning needs a clear purpose to prevent mentoring from becoming just another opportunity to talk with a friend. In our Mentoring Program, each mentee clearly specifies her objectives upfront.

Mentoring vs. Coaching
There is a common misconception floating around: that mentoring can provide the same benefits as coaching, and vice versa. Mentoring has sometimes even been referred to as “poor man’s coaching”.

The two indeed have a number of areas in which they overlap. Both mentor and coach need to share their knowledge in a way conducive to learning. Moreover, both mentee and coachee are responsible for their own learning. Mentoring and coaching are about bringing out the very best in people by listening, asking questions and providing feedback. They are both developmental relationships.

In truth, mentoring and coaching require different skills and knowledge. Mentoring and coaching differ in that a coach needs to be an expert in the areas and skills required to foster her client’s development, while a mentor has specific knowledge or a particular experience the mentee is looking for.

The mentor and coach have different roles in the learning process. A coach is responsible for the challenge of stimulating and guiding the coachee to reach a higher level of her potential. In short, a coach applies coaching skills in order to help others to learn rather than to teach them. A mentor, as role model, shares relevant experiences, and leaves it to the mentee to apply the knowledge in a way that best suits her purpose.

All PWA members are welcome to apply to participate, for free, as mentors or mentees in the PWA Mentoring Program. Please refer to the Mentoring page of our website to download the mentoring brochure, to consult articles on mentoring, for dates of the next annual mentoring period, and to find out how to apply. Keep your eye out for current information and updates through posts on the PWA site and in the newsletter. Contact us with any questions and comments you may have at professional@pwa-milan.org

• Valerie Ryder, 2010-11 Mentoring Program Leader and Professional Development Director
• Lee Smith, 2011 Mentoring Program Coordinator

Some of the information contained in this article has been loosely excerpted from the book “Women@Work No.7: Mentoring – A Powerful Tool for Women”, edited by Therese Torris and published by the EuropeanPWN. It is available for purchase at www.EuropeanPWN.net

PWA invites you to a Networking Aperitivo with Mini-Workshop

All professional women welcome, whether members or guests.

Wednesday 6 April, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
Location: NH President Hotel
Largo Augosto, 10
MM San Babila, Duomo

Self-Managing Your Career

In today’s world it’s increasingly important that women be responsible for their professional progress. On the one hand, the career options presented to women are exponentially higher than just a few decades ago. On the other, changing employers and even careers regularly is now well-accepted, even commonplace. Too often, however, women’s careers are left to chance events, advice from friends and family, and occasionally, benevolent bosses.

What can you do to become proactive in managing your career? During this special networking aperitivo, PWA Professional Development Director & Mentoring Program Leader Valerie Ryder will offer some concrete ideas and discussion topics to help you take your professional advancement into your own hands.

After her brief presentation, this interactive evening will allow ample time to network, brainstorm, and start planning.

Aperitivo 7 – 9 pm/ Presentation 7:45-8
NH President Hotel, Largo Augusto 10, (MM San Babila, Duomo)
Free entrance for members, €10 for guests, payable by cash at the event.
Drinks 9 euro each, light buffet included

Members, please register in the calendar section of EPWN

Guests, please register at this link

For more information, email networking@pwa-milan.org

For information or to register for the April 27 PWA Mentoring Program Launch Event, read more here.

Il Sole 24ore is launching on May 4th the 4th edition of the executive course “Leadership al femminile”.

If you wish to know more download the brochure here.

PWA Milan members have a 20% discount on the full price of the course, download the registration form from the Milan group inside our EPWN platform (click here).

PWA invites you to a Networking Aperitivo with Mini-Workshop

All professional women welcome, whether members or guests.

Wednesday 2 February, 2011, 7-9 pm

Hotel NH President. Largo Augusto 10
(MM San Babila, Duomo)

As the new year is now in full swing, we can all take a moment to reflect on the past year and start thinking about what the new year can bring. The start of a year is always a positive moment when we can set new goals, start a new chapter and look for new challenges.

Sometimes the real problem is not finding our own goals, but understanding how we can attain them. All goals need an action plan and an “achieved” date.

During this special networking aperitivo, PWA Networking Director Zoe Flaherty will offer some ideas and discussion topics to help you focus on, work towards and achieve your professional goals for 2011.

After her brief presentation, this interactive evening will allow ample time to compare results and network.

Aperitivo 7 – 9 pm/ Presentation 7:45-8 pm

Drinks 9 euro each, light buffet included

Members, please register in the calendar section of EPWN (www.EuropeanPWN.net)

Guests, please register at this link

For additional information, email networking@pwa-milan.org

By Valerie Ryder and Kristina Tool

Mentoring plays a critical role in the advancement of women professionals in all sectors. It provides women role models, it can provide access to important networks and opportunities, and can provide structure for the development of individual skills and leadership abilities.

These are areas that are often cited as key barriers to career advancement for women in Italy, as is the lack of mentoring in general. Only a small portion of the Italian working population has access to this career development tool, mainly selected high-potential employees of international corporations.

PWA has innovatively moved to fill this gap by pioneering network mentoring in Italy, via its Women Leading Women program. The mentoring program is a key component of PWA’s updated mission, which is to support the advancement of career-minded women in their professional growth and development through networking, skill-building and mentoring in an international environment.

Facts and Figures:

Although mentoring is an increasingly-used tool for career development within companies, only a small portion of the working population has access to it. PWA has moved to fill this gap by pioneering “network mentoring” in Italy, a concept which has been implemented effectively by several of its European affiliates.

The application period for the first edition of the PWA Mentoring Program has recently closed, the results are in, and matches have been made. Close to 50 women have come forward as potential mentors or mentees, greatly exceeding expectations based on results attained in other countries across Europe.

What sets Italy apart? Not surprisingly, the demand for mentors isn’t just originating from women in corporations. As more and more women leave the corporate world to embark into entrepreneurship, aspiring business owners are looking for mentorship too.

Join Valerie Ryder and Monique Svazlian, the driving forces behind mentoring at PWA, for an evening of “Women Leading Women.” After a brief presentation of the program and an initial analysis of the mentoring needs expressed, a selection of PWA Mentors will share their inspirational stories and past experiences with mentoring. We will hear from the following top corporate executives and successful business owners:

• Isabella Chiodi, Vice President and member of the Italian Women Leadership Council, IBM
• Barbara Cominelli, Planning Director, Tenaris Dalmine
  
• Giovanna D’Alessio, Managing Director, LifeCoachLab and President of the International Coach Federation
• Francesca Patellani, Client Partner (Banking Clients) and Inclusion & Diversity Lead, Accenture
• Lee Smith, Director, InStoreFactor
• Nicoletta Zappatini, Managing Director, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

About Valerie Ryder and Monique Svazlian: Executive Coaches, Valerie and Monique are passionate about developing leaders both in the corporate world and in entrepreneurship. They share the common conviction that the most effective way for women to advance professionally is to take advantage of mentoring, coaching, networking and other leadership development resources. Read more about them at www.ryderassociates.com and www.highestpath.com

Read more about the PWA Mentoring Program here

Grand Hotel et de Milan
Via Manzoni, 29 (MM Montenapoleone)
Networking Cocktail: 7 – 8 pm
Presentation 8 – 9:30 pm

Entrance free for members, 20 euro for guests, payable in cash at the event.
Members, please register in the calendar section of EPWN.
Guests, please send an email to speakers@pwa-milan.org

All professional women welcome whether members or guests

Join us as we launch the first annual PWA Mentoring Program for a stimulating and informational evening. We’ll hear inspiring testimonials from our PWA Mentors and Honorary Mentors alike, and discuss the objectives, structure and future of the program.

Participants of the Mentoring Program will have the opportunity to meet their match. This event is open to all professional women and we invite you to attend and learn more about our premier initiative for 2010.

Cocktails 7-8 p.m. / Presentation 8-9.30 p.m.
Grand Hotel et de Milan, Via Manzoni 29 (MM Montenapoleone)

Free for members, €20 for guests, payable by cash at the event.
Members, please register on EPWN

For guest reservations please email speakers@pwa-milan.org

All professional women welcome whether members or guests.

For more information on the Mentoring Program contact Valerie Ryder, PWA Professional Development Director, at professional@pwa-milan.org.

by Valerie Ryder, Mentoring Program Leader and Professional Development Director

We are currently accepting applications for Mentors and Mentees who would like to participate in the first edition of the PWA Mentoring Program. For more information on this initiative, please see the articles and brochure posted on the “PWA Mentoring Program” page of the PWA Milan web site (click here).

This opportunity is available to all PWA members, as an additional benefit of membership. Not a member yet and would like to participate in the Program? Click here to join PWA Milan now.

We have already received confirmation from a number of experienced and highly successful professional women who are PWA members, of their willingness to serve as Mentors. To name a few:
• Rosanna Cella – Global Leadership Development Director, Nokia
• Barbara Cominelli – Director of Strategy & Marketing, Tenaris Dalmine
• Francesca Patellani – Partner at Accenture, in charge of Inclusion & Diversity within their Human Capital program
• Nicoletta Zappatini – Corporate and Investment Bank Managing Director Fixed Income, Crédit Agricole Calyon

Further, we are pleased to announce that the following internationally-renowned women will serve as Honorary Mentors:
• Giovanna d’Alessio – President of International Coach Federation Global, Founder and Chief Executive Coach of Life Coach Lab
• Avivah Wittenberg-Cox – Founder of EuropeanPWN, CEO of 20-first, Executive Coach

If you have been considering applying as a mentee or a mentor but have not yet done so, now is the time! There is still availability in the program for both roles. The deadline for submission is Friday, 16 April 2010. Download the forms here: Mentee application form and Mentor application form. If we are able to identify an appropriate match, you will be notified via email by the first part of May.

Important dates to note: The official launch of the Mentoring Program will take place on the evening of Wednesday, May 19. This will also be the occasion for successfully paired participants to meet their mentoring match. The Mentoring Skills Workshop will take place on Saturday, May 29.

For any questions or concerns you may have, please contact us at professional@pwa-milan.org

• Valerie Ryder, Mentoring Program Leader and Professional Development Director
• Monique Svazlian, Mentoring Program Coordinator

by Monique Svazlian, PWA Mentoring Program Coordinator

During the process of creating the PWA Mentoring Program, the question has come up several times about the major differences between coaching and mentoring. Indeed, the question is a valid one as there are places where the two complement each other. Also, there are certain topics and issues better suited for mentoring where others are a better fit for coaching, and it’s helpful to determine which process would be more appropriate in assisting you to reach your intended outcomes.

As professional coaches, we (i.e. the Mentoring Program team members) are necessarily aware of the major differences between the two modalities, and realize that others may not have the same level of familiarity with the subject. In this article, we’ll explore the two methods in order to set expectations and increase your chances of obtaining successful results if you participate in the Mentoring Program.

The following is an example of a sample topic and what the outcomes would be through the two various methods.

Scenario: A woman entrepreneur has left the corporate world and is starting a small business. She is very excited and challenged with her new venture, and thinks she could benefit from a mentor. She is currently having a hard time balancing her business with her personal life and would like mentoring around this issue.

The Mentor approach: In this situation, a good Mentor fit would be a woman who has previously gone through a similar transition, and/or has extensive experience with starting a small business. She would share her stories and challenges faced while pursuing her entrepreneurial ventures, and give advice based on her best practices and learnings. She might also talk about her personal challenges transitioning from a corporate career to being your own boss and give advice on how to manage the added responsibilities of an entrepreneur.

The Coach approach: A coach would take a slightly different approach; rather than give advice based on personal experience, she would focus the conversation on the coachee, to find out her specific challenges. Depending on the underlying issue, the coach could help design new approaches to creating more work/life balance, guide toward a shift in perspective or help in identifying limiting beliefs that are keeping her stuck in this area. The coach would guide her toward specific actionable goals and keep her accountable.

The mentor and coach are similar in the ways they relate to the person they are mentoring or coaching. They both use techniques of active listening, asking powerful questions and offering new ideas and approaches to help guide the individual. But the outcomes from the two approaches can be quite different, and it’s important to identify your needs to ensure you reach the results you’re looking for.

As you’re sending in your applications for the PWA Mentoring Program (deadline 16 April 2010 for this first edition), be thinking of the specific areas in which you need advice and wisdom to help you in your career. Think about your desired outcomes, and be clear from the get-go with your Mentor if you participate. This should ensure that you make the most out of your time with your Mentor and get significant value for the time you put in as well!

If you have more questions on this topic or about the PWA Mentoring program, don’t hesitate to email us at professional@pwa-milan.org

• Valerie Ryder, Mentoring Program Leader and Professional Development Director
• Monique Svazlian, Mentoring Program Coordinator

by Valerie Ryder, PWA Professional Development Director

The Mentor and Mentee application forms for the PWA Mentoring Program are now available. To apply, download the appropriate form(s) here (Mentee application form or Mentor application form) and follow the instructions therein.

Please note that applicants must be current members of PWA, and that attendance at the Mentoring Skills Workshop planned for Saturday, 29 May 2010 is mandatory for participation as a mentor or a mentee.

The application period for this first edition of the Mentoring Program runs from 17 March to 16 April 2010.

Questions? Contact the Mentoring Team members – Valerie Ryder and Monique Svazlian – at professional@pwa-milan.org