Having competed the comprehensive PLATO training programme I was a group leader for the Dublin programme, supporting a group of 10 business owners/ manager via monthly meetings, sourcing materials based on the groups needs; facilitating introductions to appropriate advisers and/or networks; and providing ad hoc accompaniement and support over the two tear period of the programme.
I am currently completing my “Learning Log” for a qualification in Business Mentoring. The log is based on my experience as a mentor to both individual organisations and, via PLATO to groups.
Business Mentoring Theory: Focusing on current challenges and issues facing the self-employed and how the business facilitator/mentor can support those involved to overcome the barriers and inhibitors encountered.
Business Mentoring Process: Drawing on organizational theory and practice this module should identify perspectives on the group process, group dynamics and individual behaviour
Business Mentoring in Context: the core components of the effective management of organizational principals and in the context of the Plato Network the entrepreneurial personality
Sustaining the Mentoring Relationship: building an understanding of strategic planning including analytical skills to formulate, explain, implement and evaluate the strategies that create, maintain and sustain the Mentoring relationship
Based on my review of academic & professional research into the area, aligned to my own experience – both with PLATO and working with individual organisations; I prepared a model of what Group-based mentoring would require:
