JB has recently joined the Finance Department of P Company as a trainee management accountant. As part of the Company's induction, she has been offered a mentor. Though, since JB has not had any last experience of mentoring, she is unconvinced of the advantages. She has asked LC, the facilitator of the induction session, to determine what is involved in the process of mentoring and how it might be a benefit to her as a new member of staff.

Explain the points that LC should make concerning the process and the benefits of mentoring for new members of staff.

LC could start by defining to JB that the purpose of a mentoring system is to give new employees with a forum to discuss development issues in a relaxed and supportive environment. A mentoring system would be useful to JB, as a latest member of staff, in helping her socialise into the culture of the organisation and facilitate earlier learning about the way the organisation works. LC could go on to say that the mentoring relationship is not based on authority but, rather, a genuine wish by a mentor to share knowledge, advice and experience with junior members of staff.