Mentoring and accountability have merged – welcome to the new Peer Support Program!
Research shows that peer assistance is becoming less a luxury and more a necessity in the current business climate. From top business magazines like Wired, Forbes, and Inc. to our 2019 keynote conference speaker, Dr. Liz Bywater, peer assistance receives top priority treatment.
AIIP recognizes the momentum in members requesting support in a variety of different, often more personalized, ways.
We’re answering the call by offering additional peer support options.
Starting in September, what you currently know of as the Mentoring Committee will change its name to the Peer to Peer Support Committee and will be the new home of the Accountability Buddies program, up until now part of the First Year Members Committee.
Both the mentoring and accountability buddy programs provide a means for members to tap into the vast reserves of knowledge and expertise of their fellow members. They’re a rewarding way for members who’ve been in business for a longer time to share their knowledge and experience. Members helping members through these programs is also a wonderful way to get to know each other better and even forge new friendships.
There’s something for everyone in the new Peer to Peer Support program with brief, short-term, and longer-term mentor options as well as the Accountability Buddies option. For example:
- If you’re just starting your business and are overwhelmed with what to do next or if you’ve been in business for a while and could use a re-focus, you might benefit from a 3-Month Mentoring session to help you sort out priorities.
- If you’re wondering how to approach a specific business issue, maybe expanding your social media reach or developing contacts within a specific industry, the Kick-Starter Conversation might be just the thing to help clarify your thinking.
- Maybe you know what you want to accomplish but could benefit from regular check-ins with a colleague to help you stay on track; then the Accountability Buddies option could be a good fit for you.
Our goal is to provide members with flexible options for one-on-one assistance from fellow members – peer to peer support.
Here’s an overview of our program options:
- Kick-Starter Conversation: One or two phone or email exchanges on a topic that you need help with
- Three-Month Mentoring: Short-term coaching with a volunteer subject matter expert on a specific topic or overall business needs
- One-Year Mentoring: Our traditional long-term guidance and feedback option for those who would like ongoing support with various aspects of business development
- Accountability Buddies: Long-term peer topeer partnering to ensure business goals are being met
We review all requests so you’re matched with a fellow member who can best fit your need. We look forward to using these more flexible options to pair you with the peer support that’s right for your continued professional development.
Find out more and apply for the new offerings here: https://www.aiip.org/Members-Only/Peer-Support-Program
The Peer to Peer Support Committee
Susan Baerwald, Jan Knight, and Marilyn Harmacek
“[M]y mentorship experience has been wonderful! […] What has probably helped the most during the experience is having a fellow business owner and infopro to chat with about staying motivated and goal-oriented. Starting a business from scratch can be daunting and trying at times, so it’s such a blessing to have an expert to brainstorm ideas and help keep things on track. […]
I could search far and wide, but I don’t think I’d ever find a mentorship program as valuable and unique as AIIP’s. I really like that it’s a structured process to help mentees find the best mentors for their areas of interest or specialty.”
Eddie Ajaeb President, Nighthawk Strategies
