In today's business environment, trying to keep ahead of the game is tough. Often no-one has the time to teach or guide you about how
to play the game successfully. This is where it can be helpful to have a mentor you can turn to for advice and support.
A mentor is not a coach. A mentor is usually an independent outsider who has specific skills and knowledge that you
believe can help you. Unlike a coach, a mentor is free to give you advice, tell you about their own experiences and give you
their perspective. Mentorship is a two way relationship. A mentor can advise and also listen. You may want to bounce your
ideas, problems and decisions off someone who has no agenda but to listen and support you.
Michele Alexander was trained as a mentor under the Women in Finance/UCT Centre for Coaching/Standard Bank initiative. This
programme was underpinned by certain coaching principles – the most important being that one does not dictate what a mentee
must do. One can provide a different perspective but it is up to the mentee to ultimately make his or her own decisions.
The mentor is an independent outsider who is there for you when you need to talk to or ask somebody for personal advice.
Michele has been an independent entrepreneur for 18 years and understands the challenge of surviving on one's own. As a journalist
she has had broad exposure to many issues, situations and people that have given her a deep and varied life experience. She has also
worked in a corporate environment for 10 years and currently facilitates workshops in companies. She is familiar and empathetic about
the challenges that people face in life and business.
She believes that relationship development is fundamental to success in any kind of business. Everyone has to sell themselves
and their personal brand all the time whether it be to your manager, colleagues, staff or clients. Relationships are critical
to Marketing, Networking, Personal Interaction and Negotiation skills. Communication is critical if you want to be successful
at developing relationships.
As we enter the Connection Economy, who you are will become more important than your product or service in a highly competitive market.
So your ability to communicate and build relationships is going to determine your future success.
Michele Alexander offers Mentorship support to anyone who feels that they need to hone their skills in communication and developing relationships.
Her years of experience as a journalist, entrepreneur and in the corporate world could help you when making decisions about your own future.
As your Mentor, she will always be in your corner.
