 Mentors Program
September 18th – October 27th, 2006
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.
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.
ANZA will use information provided by showcase registrants to match them to a mentor. This information will also be given to the selected mentor.
How to register for the Mentors Program
After Showcase companies register for the conference they must complete a Mentors Program questionnaire and email it to anna@anzatechnet.com
Click here to download the Mentors 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
Mentor description
ANZA Technology Network mentors will all have:
- C or VP level executive experience in the technology industry;
- 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 company’s presentation for the conference and positioning for the US market;
- Provide frank and honest feedback.
- Participate in feedback sessions during the conference.
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 well structured to minimize the amount of mentors time required;
- Solicit feedback in order to gain the most benefit of the mentors experience and maximize results from the conference; and
- 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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