{"id":6449,"date":"2022-09-08T20:46:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T20:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/stop-training-start-mentoring\/"},"modified":"2022-09-08T20:46:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T20:46:10","slug":"stop-training-start-mentoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/stop-training-start-mentoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop Training, Start Mentoring"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Training and mentoring aim one goal: to improve your skills in a well-defined way. Although both aim for the same goal, they use very different ways. One may fit your needs, but not the other.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Here are the main differences between training and mentoring.<\/p>\n<h2>Duration<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">The first noticeable difference is its length.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Training takes two or three days. Each day has essentially 6 hours of content.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Mentoring takes four to eight months. Each week, you have to invest at least three hours.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><\/span>You can do mentoring in parallel to your daily workload. Ideally, your company sponsors you with time and money. Due to the extended run-time of mentoring, you often tackle complicated topics from different perspectives. Each new perspective improves your understanding.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" alignleft size-full wp-image-6406\" src=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RainerGrimm_freigestellt_875x1480.jpg\" alt=\"RainerGrimm freigestellt 875x1480\" width=\"175\" height=\"296\" style=\"margin: 20px; float: left;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RainerGrimm_freigestellt_875x1480.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RainerGrimm_freigestellt_875x1480-177x300.jpg 177w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RainerGrimm_freigestellt_875x1480-605x1024.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RainerGrimm_freigestellt_875x1480-768x1299.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 175px) 100vw, 175px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2>Methodology<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Mentoring adds new components.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Training consists of theory and practice. Theory means that I explain the content and answer specific questions. Practice means that the participants do (too few) exercises, and I discuss their solutions.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Mentoring consists of theory, practice, and, of course, mentoring.<\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Videos explaining the theory and the examples<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Videos explaining the exercises and the solutions<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Active community in forums discussing the theory and practice<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Live Q&amp;A session each week, about one hour. They are recorded.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">One-to-one mentoring at the end of the mentoring program\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><\/span>Mentoring adds new components to the learning process. You can selectively watch complex topics and study the exercises and their solutions as often as you want. Furthermore, you get additional videos and articles to deepen your understanding. Thanks to the recorded Q&amp;A sessions (each Friday) and the active C++ Foren, you will gain precious Feedback from the active C++ Community and me.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>&nbsp;Overall Content<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">This comparison shows it crystal clear. Mentoring provides way more content and gives way more flexibility.<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Training has a well-structured plan. Making detours or discussing additional topics is challenging because I have to drop other important features. This is only possible if all the participants agree. In sum, I teach 3 (days) * 6 hours = 18 hours.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Mentoring also has a well-structured plan, but I have the time to discuss additional topics with all or individual mentees. In the end, I never have to say no regarding these detours. This is very beneficial for the mentees and me. In sum, I &nbsp;39 (weeks) * 3 hours = 108 hours.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"> <\/span><\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span>In a three days class, I can teach around 18 hours of C++ content. In a 4 &#8211; 8 month mentoring, you have 50 &#8211; 100 hours of C++ content. About 15 &#8211; 20 hours of the time is the Q&amp;A session. Additionally, there is an active C++ community integrated into my mentoring program. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Number of Participants<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">The number of people in training is limited, but not in mentoring.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">The ideal participant\u2019s number of training is between five and ten. In general, I accept no more than 15 participants.&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Mentoring works the other way around. At least 100 participants work very well.&nbsp; <br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">The mentoring program benefits profoundly from the active community. The community makes the Q&amp;A sessions and forum discussions very valuable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Interaction&nbsp;&nbsp; <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" alignright size-full wp-image-6407\" src=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/planner.png\" alt=\"planner\" width=\"400\" height=\"241\" style=\"float: right;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/planner.png 1280w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/planner-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/planner-1024x617.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/planner-768x463.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">With mentoring, there is a new dimension of interaction.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">In training, you mainly interact with the trainer. This interaction ends when the training end.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">In mentoring, you can interact with me directly in the weekly Q&amp;A session. Additionally, you can ask your questions in the forums. The forum is still available after the mentoring program.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span>Mentoring helps you to answer your challenges when you have them. You can use the weekly Q&amp;A session or the forum.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Integration<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">How can you integrate training or mentoring into your private and business commitment?<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">For training, this is easy. You have to dedicate the three proposed days to the class.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">You may wonder how a four to eight-month mentoring can be integrated into your private commitment (family, holiday) and business commitments. This is easy. All content is available offline. The Q&amp;A sessions are recorded, the forum is online, and the videos, articles, and slides are always available. Additionally, I make a week without additional content every four or six weeks. Therefore, it is pretty easy to catch up with the content. This helps you to make the mentoring beside your business workload or your family commitments.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span>One of the key ideas of my mentoring program is to integrate it into your usual workload. You have to dedicate at least 3 hours to your future.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Sustainability<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">Sorry, I have to say this, but classical training has serious issues.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">After my three-day training, you are, like me, pretty exhausted. You learn so much that it is quite probable that you will forget a lot if you cannot use it in your daily work. The main issue we talk about a new feature only once in training.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">In mentoring, you will experience a new feature a few times from different perspectives. Additionally, you can consume the theory more than once, discuss this feature in the forum or the Q&amp;A sessions, and practice it in the exercises. In the end, you get the feature&#8217;s deeper and more sustainable impact.<br \/><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span><span class=\"break-words\"><\/span>The impact of mentoring is way deeper. You encounter new features a few times and from a different perspective. You do this on the theoretical and practical levels. Additionally, you have an active community aiming for the same goal. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Costs<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"break-words\"><span dir=\"ltr\">I can only partially answer this question. Most of the time, your company hires me for a class. Therefore, I assume you will participate in one of my open training. For my four-month mentoring programs, you have to pay the same as for the corresponding training. For my running mentoring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.org\/fundamentals-for-c-professionals\/\">\u201cFundamentals for C++ Professionals<\/a>\u201c, there is no corresponding training I provide. I cannot give a 20 days training.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, I will also provide a mentoring program for entire teams or companies for a team or company price.<br \/><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; color: #ff0000;\">\u21d2<\/span>The costs of 3 days class and a 4-month mentoring are comparable. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Resume<\/h2>\n<p>You may assume it from the comparison. After almost 20 years of training and mentoring, mentoring is my favorite. Additionally, I assume that your company supports you with time and money. Only when you need a quick and concise refresher, and you are a pretty seasoned C++ developer, training may be the right choice.<\/p>\n<p>Here are all the facts in a table:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-full wp-image-6448\" src=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Comparison3.png\" alt=\"Comparison3\" width=\"650\" height=\"136\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Comparison3.png 1154w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Comparison3-300x63.png 300w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Comparison3-1024x214.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Comparison3-768x160.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Training and mentoring aim one goal: to improve your skills in a well-defined way. Although both aim for the same goal, they use very different ways. One may fit your needs, but not the other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":6406,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[377],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6449","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mentoring"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6449","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6449"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6449\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.modernescpp.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}