Tune in to see latest Video Snacks on related topics.

It's exciting to see increasing numbers of CPA firms implementing formal mentoring programs to help mold and guide younger professionals. What better way to posture future generations of CPAs as they develop in their careers than to link them up with seasoned professionals who can share their insight and wisdom?

So how experienced do you need to be in order to serve as a mentor? Turns out you can be a mentor at any stage of your career, say the experts. "Why not a young mentor?" quipped Joe Rotella, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Delphia Consulting, at a recent session on attracting and retaining talent at the Association of Accounting Marketing Conference in San Diego. Just think how much seasoned professionals could learn from Gen Ys and Millennials if they would only reach out to them for insight.

But why stop here? With up to five generations practicing in today's CPA firms, we should be encouraging information sharing across all age groups. By reformatting mentoring programs, firms can help facilitate effective communication between all generations, creating more healthy work environments. Not only will this new approach help bridge the generational gaps, but it can position organizations to run more efficiently and profitably by engaging everyone in the growth agenda.

Are You a "Gentor"?

To get started, it's essential to rethink mentoring and the significant impact it can have on your organization. Begin with a new name. "Gentor" is a new term that refers to an advisory or mentoring relationship between generations. Gentor relationships are focused on two-way information sharing versus traditional one-way mentoring relationship in which information is passed down from the senior to the junior. Redefining the objectives for these multi-generational relationships helps each to understand how the other views their career, what is important, and how to better relate to each other. Professionals should be encouraged to have gentors from several different generations for example, a Gen X, a Gen Y and even a young baby boomer.

Breaking the Ice

Here are five key talking points to discuss with your gentor:

• Understand what motivates each other
• Understand each other's value system
• Understand each other's communication style
• Understand each other's approach to work
• Understand what outside of work is important to each other

Once the relationships start to form, take them to another level. Tweak your program model so it works to solve the challenges that you and your firm face such as attracting new talent, work-life balance, rewards and compensation, client service and leadership succession. Take advantage of the brain trust that exists throughout your practice. Don't limit it to those in the corner offices. Tap into the technological savvy and innovativeness of today's young minds.

After Ice Is Broken

Here are five questions for you to discuss at future sessions. These questions relate to running the firm or a specific practice. It is important to tailor these questions relative to the issues facing your firm.

• How do we attract and retain new talent?
• How do we make this a better place to work?
• How do we make the practice more efficient?
• How do we improve our level of client service?
• How do we attract new clients?

Conclusion

Start today. Rethink your mentoring and potential gentoring relationships. You might be surprised at the hidden potential that exists by simply broadening your perspective and finding new ways to relate to those around you.

Tracy Crevar Warren, president and founder of The Crevar Group, advises professional services firms striving to grow and maximize performance. Warren was named by Accounting Today as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the accounting industry and is a new Hall of Fame inductee in the Association for Accounting Marketing. She is an author and frequent speaker on various growth, business development, and marketing topics for local, regional, national and international audiences. Warren can be reached at (336) 889-GROW (4769).