5 Impressive Benefits of Virtual Mentoring Programs

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From the way we shop, to the methods we use to communicate with friends and family, we’ve seen some huge changes over the last decade alone. With the world continuously evolving and with new technologies making their way into our lives, there's no surprise that even how we mentor has seen a dramatic shift over the last few years.

But how has it changed? Well, we’ve seen a rapid increase in demand for virtual mentoring, also called e-mentoring or online mentoring. This method is very similar to traditional face-to-face mentoring, however, the main difference is where the mentoring takes place. This style of mentoring uses electronic communication such as video calls, instant messaging and emails to form mentoring relationships.

Whilst there has been a dramatic shift in technology, there has also been an increase in the number of employees within organisations wanting more from their employers. Individuals now expect (and rightly so) more career progression opportunities and a truly diverse workforce. These are some examples of the drivers pushing more organisations across the globe to incorporate mentoring into their business strategy.

Whilst there are many similarities between traditional mentoring practices and virtual mentoring, there are also some slight differences. We all know the incredible benefits of mentoring within an organisation, from increased retention rates to higher productivity, that’s why throughout this article we will be discussing the benefits of a virtual mentoring program since it’s now becoming a more popular alternative.

1. No Geographical Restrictions

Traditionally, mentoring relationships are formed by two individuals who are within the same location, coming together to exchange knowledge and wisdom. Virtual mentoring however means that mentees and mentors within an organisation aren’t restricted by location, this is incredibly important for organisations that operate on a global scale.

Over the last few years, with more employees working remote, this has become one of the main reasons organisations are switching to virtual mentoring. Having no geographic restrictions in place allows mentors and mentees to connect, no matter the distance or time zone. An example of this being used within an organisation could be a senior located within another office connecting with an individual looking to progress within their career.

2. It’s Accessible

The key difference between traditional mentoring and virtual mentoring has to be its convenience, flexibility, and accessibility. Due to the improvements made in technology and the introduction of virtual mentoring, mentoring is now more accessible than ever.

Virtual mentoring is making it easier for organisations to structure mentoring programs because all participants need is a phone or laptop to get started with their mentoring relationship. Being able to connect with other like-minded mentors and mentees makes participants more engaged, it’s also far less time consuming for those participating in the program.

Because of its accessibility, people can take place no matter where they are, this is particularly helpful for remote workers or those who have family members and other responsibilities outside of work who find it hard to make the time to balance work, professional development and their personal lives.

3. Multiple Mentors and Mentees

Virtual mentoring as mentioned is more accessible and takes less time than traditional methods. The flexibility of this method of mentoring has resulted in many individuals taking on multiple mentors and mentees, as they no longer have to travel to have their sessions.

This is something that should be considered by organisations that lack mentors or mentees and are struggling to onboard new participants. When something is made accessible to employees, they are more likely to use it.

4. It Improves Diversity and Inclusion

Mentoring programs help improve diversity and inclusion, but how is this different when it comes to virtual mentoring? This method of mentoring is effective at supporting diversity, equality, and inclusion objectives within an organisation, because not only through virtual mentoring can participants connect with others across the globe but the fact that virtual mentoring programs have a higher capacity than traditional.

Virtual mentoring makes it easy for individuals to connect across the organisation as a whole, providing the opportunity for participants to connect with others who have different backgrounds, views, ideologies, and opinions. Connecting with others to exchange knowledge, wisdom and fresh perspectives is a powerful tool for creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

5. Less Pressure and Stress

Some individuals within an organisation won’t sign up to become a mentor or mentee due to the pressure and stress it may cause them. Whilst mentoring should be a fun and exciting opportunity, social pressure can create awkwardness amongst employees.

Having a virtual mentoring program allows you to remove this barrier, creating an environment where mentoring is more about development and less about social pressure. Whilst this isn’t an issue most employees face, with many enjoying having face-to-face conversations, this is something that should be considered for employees who may lack self-esteem.

There are many reasons organisations might opt for traditional mentoring or virtual mentoring, either way, each is highly beneficial for an organisation, providing incredible value all around. We hope this article was able to shed some light on some impressive benefits of running a virtual mentoring program.

If you want to learn more about mentoring and how PushFar can help, book a free demonstration with us today.