Web-Based Tools and Assessments

The Mentoring Connection

DISC On-Line Assessment Tools

Complimentary DISC Style Analysis

DISC Self-Directed Workbook

Career Enhancement Tools

The Mentoring Connection

The Mentoring Connection (TMC) is a web-based delivery system developed to offer business, government and non-profit organizations a comprehensive, effective and efficient means of establishing and operating formal mentoring programs and partnerships.

Through the use of sophisticated data management tools, TMC can streamline administrative and processing operations while maintaining the personal aspects so critical to effective mentoring programs. The Mentoring Connection helps reduce hands-on administration and processing and can provide significant savings in staff costs.

Mentoring Programs without the Hassle
Whether you have an established mentoring program, or are just launching a new one, The Mentoring Connection can offer the following enhancements to your program:

• Quicker implementation of a formalized mentoring program.
  Mentors and mentorees apply to the mentoring program on-line by completing an application form that includes a biographical profile. TMC collects this important data to make selections, facilitate future matches and track the relationship after these matches have been made.
• Easier, more effective matching of mentors and mentorees.
  The success of a formal mentoring program is dependent upon a carefully orchestrated selection and matching process.  There are a variety of ways to match participants.  These methods range from formal matches by an outside committee/task force to a more informal one that encompasses one’s own mentoring philosophy.  TMC assists organizations in matching mentors with mentorees by collecting vital information and then employing a dynamic scoring system to match mentorees with an appropriate mentor.  Every effort is made to match mentorees with someone who can best support their developmental needs.
• Insightful self and 360 multi-rater feedback.
  Most mentoring programs begin with developmental feedback. Confidential self and multi-rater feedback provides employees an opportunity to target developmental needs and goals and in turn develop effective learning plans. TMC supports two popular assessment tools:  The Success Triangle (a multi-rater feedback system) and TTI Success Insights® (a DISC self assessment). 
  
• Less hands-on administration and processing.
  An on-line Mentoring Action Plan and Mentoring Agreement provide a roadmap for keeping partnerships on track and on target.  The plans are based on an individual assessment of the mentorees’ needs and are supported by adequate resources and an active mentoring partnership.  Program coordinators can use this feature to forecast funding requirements as well as analyze the collective training needs of the mentoring group. 
  
• Communication with program coordinators and other participants.
  An on-line forum for mentors, mentorees and program coordinators provides them the tool to stay connected through a threaded discussion style bulletin board. 
  
• Efficient online scheduling of mentoring activities.
  An on-line calendar of events provides the program coordinators an opportunity to post upcoming events and developmental opportunities. 
  
• Program evaluations that keep you on top of progress and problems.
  Continual evaluation of the development process is an integral part of a successful mentoring program.  Consistent monitoring will ensure that pro-active adjustments are made to the program design to facilitate further success.  Therefore, there are two critical checkpoints: six months after the program begins and at the conclusion.  TMC provides an on-line evaluation process that collects information that clearly determines what aspects of the program are successful and what areas could benefit from a mid-course correction or adjustment.
  
• More efficient collection and storage of data and resource materials.
  TMC offers an on-line newsletter highlighting mentoring success stories and lessons learned.  In addition, TMC has a Library where the Program Coordinator can post Articles, Workbooks, PowerPoint Presentations and other key resource materials that offer mentoring tips and techniques.  
  
• Accessible, secure and complete privacy for all information.
  TMC provides the infrastructure, including hardware, software, data-encryption certification through Verisign (to protect personal information).  TMC has been verified to meet all U.S. Section 508 guidelines.

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DISC On-line Assessment Tools

An Introduction to DISC

Any successful mentoring relationship can be compared to a good orchestra. Individuals who bear little resemblance to each other often need to learn how to harmonize and respect the differences they bring to the relationship. Their diversity in style and substance, when properly harmonized, compose a great score.

It is rather easy for a conductor to identify who plays what instrument. It is no less important for managers to know the behavioral and work styles of the individuals they manage and what and how they can best contribute to the organization. These attributes can be identified in a non-threatening environment that helps launch mentorees and mentors on a voyage of personal discovery.

For many years, successful organizations have relied upon a tool called "DISC" to identify behavioral styles. DISC describes the four basic elements of human behavior as: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Compliance. The basis for the assessment tool began as early as 400BC, when Hippocrates observed clear and consistent similarities and differences in the way people interact. We still rely upon observable behavior to better understand and enhance our relationships.

DISC is a universal language that explains behavior and emotions and is based on factors that transcend gender, race and culture. Its premise is that all people exhibit all four DISC styles to one degree or another, regardless of their background and experience.

DISC Defined

The key to DISC is discovering the degree of intensity a person brings to these four areas of behavior:

• Dominance: How the individual approaches problems and challenges.
• Influence: How the individual interacts and influences people.
• Steadiness: How the individual responds to change and levels of activity.
• Compliance: How the individual responds to rules and regulations.

The Dominance factor, for example, does not measure whether or not a person can solve problems, but rather measures how the person goes about solving problems and challenges.

Respecting Differences

Why do people act the way they do? Why do priorities differ from person to person? Why does it seem so hard to approach some people while others seem to mirror your own values, attitudes and interests?

Differences in work styles quickly become obvious in a work relationship. One individual may pay considerable attention to quality and detail while another "keeps their eye on the sparrow," meeting schedules, but requiring rework.

Fortunately, it is possible to observe and predict these types of differences and how they might “appear” on a team or workplace relationship. Just the awareness of different work and behavioral types in and of itself helps employees to adapt their styles to compliment those of their teammates.

The Benefits

DISC helps employees and managers to:

• Develop long-term relationships.
• Communicate more effectively.
• Establish goals that benefit individuals and organizations.
• Establish realistic milestones for performance and skills enhancement.
• Identify obstacles and problem areas that may be adversely affecting team effectiveness and progress.
• Generate alternatives and action plans to overcome problems.

TTI Success Insights® Personalized Reports

Based on an individual’s DISC responses, a personalized report known as TTI Success Insights® details:

Using the personalized TTI Success Insights® report, participants have the opportunity to immediately increase their knowledge of self and others. TTI Success Insights® clarifies individual work styles, how styles effect job performance and how the team can work together to build on strengths, overcome weaknesses and improve overall organizational effectiveness.

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Complimentary DISC Assessment Form

Thank you for your interest in the DISC Assessment. This TTI Success Insights™ tool will provide a confidential personalized DISC report that is both individualized and insightful.

Contact TTC for the password and click here!

For a self directed workbook to help understand your DISC report, click here!

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Career Enhancement Tools

Welcome to TTC’s on-line Career Assessment Center. These career enhancement tools are quick and easy to use and include a personal report with customized feedback and score-based recommendations.

Take charge of your career by completing one or all of the following tools …

• Career Initiative® Assessment
  This individualized inventory assessment quickly identifies the steps one has (or has not) taken towards building a powerful career. In addition, the assessment provides recommendations for successful career enhancement.

  Career Initiative® Assessment

• TALENTSORT® Interest Cards Assessment
  This insightful interest card game will highlight your interest profile and show you ways to get into the kind of work you love to do.

  TalentSort® Card Game – INTERESTSMART™ Assessment

• Career Risk™ Assessment – Leading Career Indicators®
  This insightful risk assessment for the employee helps them to measure how viable or “at risk” they are in their current job, profession, organization, and industry.

  Career Risk™ Assessment – Leading Career Indicators®

• OPTIONSSMART™ Assessment – Aligning Your Aspirations®
  This comprehensive inventory assessment identifies which career options (enrichment, exploratory, lateral, vertical, realignment, or relocation) are best suited for the employee at any given point in their career.

  OPTIONSSMART™ Assessment – Aligning Your Aspirations®

• NETWORKSMART™Assessment – The Power of Networking®
  This networking instrument provides individuals with the tools needed to build powerful and extensive networks of support.
  
  [link coming soon]
  
  
• PLANSMART™ Assessment – Learning Plan
  This planner aligns educational activities with organizational needs and provides a structured process for building a plan for reaching those SMART goals.
  
  [link coming soon]

For a self-directed workbook to help you understand your DISC report, click here.