Quick information guide

To choose a good mentor:

  • Identify areas that need strengthening: what skills do you need to learn immediately?
  • Assess your mentor: are you likely to clash with him/her? Do you have the same values? Is he/her a good listener?
  • Accept challenges: are you encouraged to learn/try something new?
  • Get ready to return the favour: what can your mentor learn from you? 

For mentorship to succeed, both mentor and mentee should mind:

  •  Timing
  • Clarifying expectations
  • Logistics (management)
  • Respecting their energy
  • Accepting feedback 
  • Personalising mentorship

Types of mentorship and benefits

1. Outside the company
 This is an informal linkage with suitable experts, these mentors are generally neutral and objective. The mentee gets a chance of being connected to:

Benefits

  • wider knowledge and experiences
  •  business owners (especially for senior business managers)
  • wider network and contacts

2. Within the company

This is a formal, structured employee learning through linkage with senior experienced people in a given Organisation/Company. This type is generally used as a way of  nurturing an internal pool of good employees and leaders for succession.

Benefits

This type of mentorship helps to:

  • Build strong organisational culture and employee morale
  •  Plan for succession easily
  • grow the company in a focused and measurable way

Mentorship in Uganda

"The key to success is your commitment, both to your business and to your mentoring relationship" - Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

Mentorship is very important for your professional growth - especially when running your own business. A more experienced person (mentor) with strong networks understands your struggles and is able to provide guidance as you (mentee) grow your business. 

This is an invaluable support and learning tool but for the mentor/mentee relationship to work, both parties have to receive positive benefits from it.

In Uganda, organisations that support women in business usually provide mentoring services. 
 

 4 steps to creating a structured company mentoring programme

  • Define programme objectives (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timed - SMART)
  • Create structure to deliver
  • Train participants on mentorship and launch
  • Continuously assess and improve

Tips for a successful mentorship

  1. Timing
    Mentors: Find a mentee - it's never too late
    Mentees: express your need clearly
  2. Clarify expectations
    Mentors: Why?
    Mentees: What do you want out of this?
  3. Manage logistics
    Mentors: How and where and regularity of meetings
    Mentees: Be proactive with scheduling
  4. Respect their energy
    Mentors: Invest in your mentee's success
    Mentees: Your mentor's time is valuable - treat it that way
  5. Embrace feedback
    Mentors: Give open, honest input - even when it's hard
    Mentees: View feedback as a gift
  6. Personalise mentorship
    Mentors: invest yourselves in the success of your mentee
    Mentees: Build trust with your mentor

KACITA Women’s League (KAWEL)

provides mentorship on starting and running a business

Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

Provides E-mentoring in a number of areas

National Women’s Council

Provides mentorship to women groups countrywide