 Mentors Program
September - October
The Mentor Program is an important part of the 'Gateway to the US' Conference Program. It is designed to provide another level of guidance and support to Showcase companies preparing for the conference.
ANZA Technology Network has relationships with a substantial number of senior Silicon Valley executives. These executives have experience in the technology verticals and work functions that are relevant to Showcase companies. Many of these executives have offered to volunteer up to 5 hours of their time to assist Showcase companies prepare for the conference. These mentors will not be the same people as those at the Boot Camps in Australia and New Zealand.
Showcase companies will extract the maximum benefit from the Mentors Program if they allow sufficient time to interact with Mentors before the Conference. Accordingly, Showcase companies are encouraged to register for the Conference and contact their Mentors as early as possible. Given the broad range of types of Showcase companies, early registrants are more likely to be introduced to a Mentor that is an ideal match to the companies needs.
Goals of the Mentors Program
To fine-tune the pre-conference preparation of the Showcase Companies so that they can maximize the opportunity of the conference.
How to register for the Mentors Program
Once Showcase companies have registered for the Conference they will receive an email confirming Conference registration. This email will have a Mentors Program check box which will then highlight a link to the Mentor Program website. To register for the Mentors program the following actions are required:
1. Check the Mentors program box in your Conference registration confirmation
2. Click on the Mentors Program link in your Conference registration confirmation
3. Download and fill in the Mentor Program questionnaire
4. Email the questionnaire to marco@anzatechnet.com
Click here to download the Mentor Program questionnaire.
ANZA will use information provided by Showcase registrants to match them to a Mentor. This information will also be given to the selected Mentor.
Key Dates
1 August, 2004 - Conference and mentor program registration opens
17 September, 2004 - Mentor applications close
1 October, 2004 - Showcase Company Conference registration closes
26 - 28 October, 2004 - Conference
1 - 7 November, 2004 - Company provides online feedback on the mentor program
1 - 7 November, 2004 - Mentor provides online feedback on the mentor program
Contact Person
Marco Gabbiani is managing the Mentor program. Mentors or Showcase companies may contact Marco to address concerns and issues that are directly related to the Mentor Program.
marco@anzatechnet.com
Mentor description
The network of mentors that ANZA Technology Network will all have:
 C or VP level executive experience in the technology industry; and
More than 5 years full time U.S. work experience.
Mentor to Showcase Company matching process
ANZA will review Mentor and Showcase company profiles and match them based on a range of criteria.
The two most important criteria are:
Mentor functional expertise with respect to Showcase company needs
Mentor industry experience with respect to Showcase company industry and/or target
market.
Mentor responsibilities
Mentors volunteering for the program are expected to do the following:
Provide one on one mentoring to a Showcase company for a total of
5 hours by way of phone, email and/or face-to-face contact;
Hone the skills of the Showcase Company by providing advice targeted at improving the
companyís presentation for the Conference and positioning for the US market.
Provide frank and honest feedback.
Mentors should not use the relationship to solicit paid work. However, if the Showcase company requests that the mentor provide paid services either before or after the conference ANZA requests it be advised of such a development.
Showcase Company responsibilities
Showcase Companies participating in the Mentor program will be expected to do the following:
Take the initiative to contact the mentor
Plan meetings well in advance at times and dates that are suitable for the mentor, taking
note of time zone differences.
Collaborate with Mentors by sharing positioning documents, presentations, materials
and other relevant information.
Ensure that information sent to the Mentor is concise and well structured to minimize
the use of the Mentors time.
Solicit feedback in order to gain the most benefit of the Mentors experience and
maximize results from the Conference.
Pay for all communications costs (phone calls, email etc)
Mentors should not be expected to perform market research, provide business introductions, or attend the conference.
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