The document describes CEDEC's mentoring services program for entrepreneurs in Quebec. Some key details: - The program has over 3,350 mentees and 1,650 mentors annually. It is available across Quebec through 19 regional councils and in some other Canadian provinces and countries. - The mentoring relationships last 18-24 months on average and involve monthly 90-minute meetings between a seasoned volunteer mentor and an entrepreneur mentee. - The goal is for mentors to help develop mentees' soft business skills and provide support, motivation and experience to help reduce stress and increase the chances of business success. - Mentors are experienced businesspeople who can listen, encourage and challenge mentees,

1. CEDECCEDEC
Mentoring ServicesMentoring Services
In partnership with

2. RÉ SEAU M
An Organized Network
Top-of-the-line program with a code of ethics;
standardized approach;
Mediated by an Ombudsman;
Volunteers serve as accredited mentors;
19 regional councils that ensure the development and
promotion of the mentoring services across Quebec.
“A program that doubles the life expectancy of businesses in
the first five years of operations by mentoring and working
closely with business owners.”

3. More than 90 mentoring cells are supported by lead
organizations such as:
CLD, SADC, Chambers of Commerce, SAJE, CEDEC, etc.
Two new councils outside of Quebec
RDÉ E Ontario
Centre de développement économique de l’Alberta
Outside Canada
France
Tunisia
RÉ SEAU M

4. RÉ SEAU M
Mentorship services in numbers (2013)
more than 3,350 mentees annually
close to 1,650 mentors
Mentorship is available:
to all entrepreneurs
regardless of the activity sector they are in, and
regardless of the growth stage of the business (from
startups to succession)

5. MENTORSHIP FOR ENTREPRENEURS
DEFINITION:
A supportive relationship based on mutual trust and respect;
A special relationship between a seasoned individual (the
volunteer-mentor) who wishes to share his experience with an
entrepreneur (the mentee) through a volunteer accompaniment;
A relationship of exchange between entrepreneurs where real life
experiences are shared;
The mentor fosters the development of business soft skills and the
honing of entrepreneurial knowledge.
“Examples are the best tool to fuel and focus discussions
on.”

6. BENEFITS OF MENTORSHIP
Growth of Soft Skills
Develop and refine critical and creative thinking, problem-solving
abilities, negotiation and communications skills, efficient
organizational skills, team work, and resilience.
Breaking of isolation
Finding the needed support, an attentive ear, motivation and
encouragement.
Lowering stress
Reaching a better balance between professional and personal life.
“Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes, fools by their
own.”

7. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY SOFT SKILLS
Mentorship for entrepreneurs is unique in the way it addresses
the entrepreneurs' soft skills.
This concept encompasses:
General capabilities (initiative, perseverance, creativity,
organizational skills, critical thinking, etc.);
Transferable skills (communication skills, research, personal
growth, etc.);
Cross-sectoral skills (organizational skills, negotiation skills,
team work, creative thinking, problem-solving skills, etc.).
Work and home life balance

8. A MENTOR IS KNOWN FOR THEIR …
 Experience;
 Humbleness;
 Capacity to listen and question;
 Desire to develop their community/environment;
 Availability, their accessibility, and adaptability;
 Positive attitudes, patience, and flexibility;
 Human values and open-mindedness;
 Honesty and frankness;
 Integrity and ethics.

9. MENTOR’S ROLE
 Work with the entrepreneur, not the business;
 Encourage and motivate;
 Refocus on problematic situations;
 Reassure the mentee and provide an outlet for stress;
 Focus on long term vision;
 Listen actively;
 Share his capacity for critical thinking;
 Challenge the decisions made by the mentee;
 Develop one's capacity to become a better mentor.
"You cannot anticipate the future, but you can prepare
for it."

10. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONSULTANT, A COACH AND A
MENTOR
Know-how
(business)
Soft Skills
(entrepreneur
s)
How to differentiate
between consulting,
coaching and mentoring

11. EACH OF US HAS A ROLE, AND TO EACH HIS
OWN!
 CONSULTANT: an expert who recommends courses of
actions and solutions;
 COACH: a content expert who develops a particular skill
(know-how);
 MENTOR: a generalist who has extensive years of business
experience. The mentor works on the individual, not the
business (soft skills).
"Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.”

12. THE ROLE OF A MENTEE IS …
 To freely accept the expertise of a mentor in order to improve
his entrepreneurial soft skills;
 To have a positive attitude toward the mentorship relationship;
 To follow the mentorship code of ethics;
 To build an open and frank relationship with his mentor;
 To be driven by a need to succeed as an individual;
 To have a desire to learn and grow.
The mentee is entirely accountable for his actions and
decisions.

13. CHARACTERISTICS OF A DYAD
 A voluntary and mutual commitment;
 Length of time needed for the mentee to reach his goals;
(average 18 – 24 month commitment);
 Mutual trust and respect;
 Monthly 90-minute meetings scheduled according to the
mentee's pace;
 Meetings are in person (preferred option) or via Skype should
mentor and mentee not be located in same area;
 Any necessary/desirable exchanges between meetings
(phone calls, e-mails);
 Participation in any relevant workshops, networking and
promotional opportunities.

14. MAJOR STEPS LEADING TO A DYAD
 Coordinator has informal telephone conversations with
potential mentees/mentors;
 Interested parties register in Connecto, Réseau M data bank;
 Formal interviews are conducted by coordinator and
accredited mentor, using Réseau M material;
 Results are presented at Mentors Club meetings with
recommendations;
 Mentors Club agrees on the creation of dyads based on pool
of mentees/mentors available; and
 Dyads are proposed to mentees and an initial meeting is set
up by coordinator.

15. DYADS’ WORKINGS
 A 300$ annual fee is payable by the mentee prior to initial
dyad meeting;
 Mentors/mentees sign an agreement as well as adhering to
Réseau M Confidentiality policy and Code of ethics;
 Monitoring of dyads is conducted (telephone conversations
and questionnaires) by coordinator;
 Dyads considered unsuccessful will be terminated and new
matches proposed when appropriate; and
 Mentors/mentees who do not respect their signed
commitments will no longer be part of CEDEC mentoring
services.

16. Thank you for your interest and participation!
If yo u have any furthe r q ue stio ns, ple ase co ntact:
Michel Théroux
Coordinator, Mentoring Services Program
Small BusinessSupport – Powered by CEDEC (SBS)
514.903.3753 (ext. 230)
mentorship@cedec.ca
www.cedec.ca/mentorship

17. THANK YOU!THANK YOU!