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Pay it Forward Through Mentoring - July 2023

The Ford Files - July 2023
Pay it Forward Through Mentoring

Dear Readers, I am humbled to take on the challenge of following Bill’s Building Blocks with The Ford Files. My aspiration is to provide a monthly column that carries on the tradition of practical advice that may apply to our professional as well as personal lives. Props to Bill Walker for the outstanding job he did, displaying talent as both a subject matter expert and writer as well.

To that end, my initial column relates to the benefits I was afforded through my association with Bill, starting with our initial meeting at a Region 2 event over twenty years ago. Bill, and others such as Don Frank Jr., Ralph Fariello, John Hegranes, Alan Milliken, too many to list, contributed to my development as a certification instructor and PDM speaker. I am forever indebted to these respected professionals, the elder statesmen, for sharing their lessons learned from their battleground experience in the trenches.

(Left to right: Irv Varkonyi, Joni Holeman, Alan Milliken, Ford)

There is also immense value to utilizing what I might refer to as a combination “mentor/peer” type of relationship. This might include others in similar roles in an organization, yet with more experience and/or expertise. Joe Shedlawski comes to mind, whom I have had the pleasure of working with on Region 2 staff as well as co-facilitating Train-the-Trainer Workshops. Similarly, I am proud to have co-presented a session on Forecasting with Joe Cervino, another great NJ leader.

My hope is that I can likewise pass on knowledge, experience, lessons learned, and best practices to others, and this column will serve as a suitable tool for that. I strongly encourage all readers to seek out mentor/protegee relationships as well. Pay it forward my friends!

Yours in ASCM,

Ford

Ford is here to help. If you have any follow up questions or comments, or if you or your company are facing any unresolved challenges, feel free to drop me a note at [email protected]