I was thinking today, amongst the smoke, how the recent training system that our corporate head honcho’s brought in. Not only did they bring it in, but they’ve told us how many courses we have to take and said it was mandatory. Now the training system is a pretty prestigious one, Harvard Manage Mentor. Now for me I don’t actually mind because I love self development/improvement and anything I can get my hands on to help in that area the better.
So I’ve completed two of the four mandatory courses and they are actually pretty decent. One was on public speaking, the other was on leadership. When I looked at all the courses they offered there were quite a few similar ones and concepts that World Wide Dreambuilder’s has in their training system. I’m not surprised because success is success and those kinds of principals can be applied anywhere to anything.
I’ll definitely continue to take the courses at work but find it a little funny that we are told that we have to complete these courses. We didn’t even have a choice in the matter really. However like I said, won’t be a problem, but I’ve heard other people moan and complain. Really each module is 1 hour in length, just do it during your lunch hour or some other time during work. Funny how some people complain about it and others embrace it. Regardless, I see the value in it just like I see the value in the World Wide Dreambuilder’s training system because it has helped us move further along in our business.
Lastly before I sign off, I love how they use the term “Mentor” in this program. Sorry but this training system is not a mentor by any means or by what I call a mentor. A mentor is someone who you build a trusted relationship with and someone who has something that you want and can teach you how to get it. (lifestyle, marriage, relationship, finances, success). Mentor as defined by Wikipedia is as follows:
“the modern use of the word mentor: a trusted friend, counsellor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people, who advise them and serve as examples as they advance. Schools sometimes offer mentoring programs to new students, or students having difficulties.”
Does your company have any corporate training system that you have to take? Also who do you consider your mentor in life?
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Check out these other awesome bloggers- Cliff – Peer Pressure Works, Chad – The Grind, Kelly – ‘Round the Bend, Kim – In Desperate Need of Entertainment, Kyle – Teacher, Tinkerer, Farmer, Geek, Liam – In the Now, Brad – Kick Me Out Soon, Tammy – Tam I am, Erron – From The Inside Looking In, James – Feelings of White, Vlad – Analog Coast, Janine - Because
A mentor in my life is someone who doesn’t make money from the advice he/she gives me.
.
That type of relationship is not a mentor / protege relationship and is considered by many to be a conflict of interest.
.
Your company doesn’t make a profit from the program they provide you. They are giving it to you so that you will put out a better product which in turn will create more volume for the company. They aren’t highly suggesting you use it, guaranteeing success if you do so, and making a couple bucks off of every one they sell to you.
.
My mentor in my life is my father and a few select individuals. True mentors have nothing to gain. I would be considered a mentor to many as well. I’m pretty good at it and take it seriously.
.
That’s how I feel.
I would say the mentors I have in life have personally helped me and Lindsay achieve some pretty awesome things so far in life. We are also in a business partnership so if they make some money off of me so what. They make pennies compared to the dollars we make. (not saying we make pennies and dollars, just showing the comparison). This is a pretty hot topic around the interwebs and really didn’t want to get into that aspect. I have strong opinions about it but won’t be raising them here.
While my company doesn’t make a profit from the program, Harvard does. Someone makes a profit off of the learning system, it’s what makes the learning system what it is. You are right they are not highly suggesting we use it, they are telling us we have to use it and it’s part of our performance bonus and yearly review. Seems more harsh then what we do if you think about it. We also suggest the training and mentorship system because we’ve seen the value, we’ve never ever highly pressured someone into it and I think our team respects us for that.
I agree with you on the father, I’m fortunate to have a father and step-father who’ve both been instrumental in how I was raised and have been great mentors in my life as well. However moving forward in my life I want more then just being in debt which both of my parents are, not that it’s bad for them just I would rather live debt free and we are almost there with the mentorship we’ve received so I’d say that’s been good.
I won’t be publishing any reply comments because I know this topic could get pretty ugly. You’ve said your view and I’ve said mine.