The CEO Project: Expectations for Mentors

Success is not a fixed or universal standard in this program; instead, we recognise progress as the true measure. The expectations and goals are for each mentor and mentee to define together, fostering a supportive and personalised journey.

To facilitate this mentor-mentee relationship, mentors are expected to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and adaptability whilst supporting entrepreneurs from rural and remote regions. We seek individuals who approach this opportunity with:

• A commitment to flexible scheduling that accommodates significant time zone differences and intermittent connectivity challenges faced by mentees.
• An understanding of the unique contextual barriers that entrepreneurs encounter in developing regions, including limited infrastructure, resource constraints and market access challenges.
• A sense of humility and genuine desire to engage in mutual learning, recognising the valuable indigenous knowledge and innovative approaches mentees bring to entrepreneurship.
• The ability to offer guidance that respects local cultural contexts and business environments rather than imposing external frameworks or solutions.
• Patience and resilience when navigating communication barriers or unexpected obstacles.
• A collaborative mindset that empowers mentees to develop solutions appropriate to their circumstances and communities.

Mentorship Milestones

Starting with Vanuatu, the six-month mentorship program operates through a structured yet flexible process designed to create meaningful connections:

• Call for Applications: CEO.com members can apply through the CEO.com website, stating why they would like to be a mentor. Similarly, budding entrepreneurs from Vanuatu can submit their application through the Economic Micro-Hub (EMH) portal, detailing their business or e-commerce ideas, challenges, and goals.
• Mentor Matching: Welchman Keen and CEO.com match entrepreneurs in Vanuatu with prospective mentors, focusing on maximizing the benefits of e-commerce and expanding regional and global market reach for community-based products.
• Meet Your Match: Following the results of the mentor-matching, successful applicants can initiate contact and establish their preferred communication channels. Both mentors and mentees are encouraged to take ownership of this relationship, arranging meetings at mutually convenient times and frequencies. The program does not prescribe a rigid structure, allowing pairs to customise their engagement according to specific development objectives and availability. We recommend an initial introductory session to align expectations, followed by regular check-ins as determined by both parties.
• Mid-Term Update: During the third month of the mentorship, we invite both mentors and mentees to share their experiences and insights. Feel free to express yourself in whatever format works best for you. Whether it is a compilation of images from your mentorship activities, a short video reflection, or even a recorded conversation between you and your mentorship partner – we value your authentic feedback. Your update should touch on key milestones reached, challenges you have navigated together, and any unexpected benefits discovered along the way. This isn't about formal reporting but rather creating a meaningful checkpoint in your mentorship relationship that helps everyone get the most from this experience.
• Easy out: After month six of the mentorship, both mentor and mentee will be asked if they want to continue the matched relationship. If either party answers with a “no,” the relationship will be discontinued and participants rematched with no questions asked.
• Annual Showcase: Similar to the mid-term update, we encourage creativity and emphasis on knowledge-sharing with the wider community. An annual showcase, featured alongside the annual CEO.com event, will highlight the most creative and successful instances of mentees demonstrating their new business approach at an existing community market, connecting with potential customers, or sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and mentorship experiences

This program values mentors who approach their role as partners in development, acknowledging the agency and expertise of mentees whilst providing relevant support that enhances existing capabilities.

We look forward to welcoming you to be part of this transformative journey.

More information on the CEO.com-Welchman Keen collaboration