Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Business Based Tutor/Mentor Program Strategy

If we believe that youth would benefit from more adult support and extended learning opportunities, how do we make sure comprehensive tutor/mentor programs are available in all of the places where they are most needed?

I held various retail advertising roles in the Montgomery Ward corporation from 1973 to 1990 and learned how the company supported over 400 stores in 40 states with a centralized merchandising, advertising and store support strategy. I've applied this thinking to the strategy of the Tutor/Mentor Connection, which is outlined in this pdf.



If you are a retail executive, I encourage you to help other business leaders understand this strategy, through your own perspective and business experience. If business takes the lead in supporting the growth of non-school learning centers, it can influence the thinking and problem solving skills they want youth to bring to the workforce, and they can influence the aspirations kids bring to school with them every day.

One of my mentors is Merri Dee, who is retiring from WGN TV after a long career. When we first met in 1993 she said "If it is to be, it is up to me." I've used that as one of my motivating slogans ever since. If we want the type of country that our presidential candidates are both promising, we need leaders from every sector who take ownership of these goals.

I look forward to hearing from you.
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2 comments:

  1. Nicholas11:33 AM

    I really admire what you are trying to do here. Unfortunately, I'm down in Florida and can't do much for you locally. I work for a software company that offers web-based lessons for children in Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Check us out at www.smarttutor.com. Maybe we can figure out how to put together a program that would be able to help you out.

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  2. Tutor Mentor Connections12:10 PM

    Miami and other big cities need volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs just as much as Chicago does.

    Create a section on your web site, using the creativity you show in your tutoring services, that shares the information I'm putting together, and recruits leaders from business, philanthropy, religion and universities to take the lead in supporting the growth of tutor/mentor programs for kids in high poverty big cities in Florida, Illinois and other other states.

    In doing so you might find a way to help parents of poor kids afford online tutoring services.

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