The PPAS Mentoring Program is an opportunity to showcase your success, share your “lessons learned” and pass along best practices that will help the future growth and professionalism of the promotional products industry.
The only requirements to become a mentor are a CAS/MAS designation, or a minimum of five years experience, a desire to help others and a confidence in one or more areas of expertise. PPAS members seeking a career mentor will have access to a searchable database of suppliers and distributors. Once chosen, mentors and “mentees” make arrangements that best work with their own schedules.
In addition to offering a relationship bond between industry newcomers and veterans, we also have a networking/idea exchange through an e-mail group. The invitation only e-mail group will afford the opportunity for numerous people to weigh in on a discussion and allow for quick answers to general questions. To join the e-mail group exchange, contact Terri Cook, MAS at tcook@papillonpromo.com, with Mentoring in the subject line.
To Find a Mentor
Click on the link below.
Get The Most From Your Mentor
Once you have selected a mentor, here are the steps to get the most from your relationship.
1) Call or e-mail your mentor right away to introduce yourself.
2) Discuss what you are looking for in your relationship with a mentor and how he/she can help you.
3) Decide how often you will communicate. Be judicious as to how much time you are asking for from your mentor-once or twice a month for a specified period of time is a good rule of thumb.
4) Remember that PPAS Mentors are volunteers. They are not compensated in any way.
Please be respectful of their time.
5) Recognize the point in your conversations that may indicate you are ready to go
Beyond a mentor to a professional consultant to guide you, especially for propriety issues. |