SayYes to BetterBusines

Most people don’t know much about rubber when they join the WCCO Belting (Continental) team in Wahpeton, so we approach training and mentoring from multiple angles starting on day one. We coordinate training rotations on the production floor for all new employees so they can learn our manufacturing processes. This is the most valuable way for people to build relationships while becoming familiar with our equipment and products. It’s also unique in that mentoring is in the hands of our production team veterans out of the gate. This gives new employees additional opportunities to build connections and creates surplus outlets for asking questions and sharing ideas to help them acclimate.

My goal as a supervisor and mentor to new employees, many of whom are engineers that are young in their careers, is to create an environment where they feel safe and supported. From engagement in our continuous improvement process to team building, I strive to build new employees up so they can stand confidently on their own two feet – that’s the goal of a mentor. I want them to grow enough to be able to join WCCO full-time or continue to build on their success in a career elsewhere.

Travis Mackey Senior Process Engineer WCCO Belting Wahpeton, N.D.

Michael Toy Chief Operating & Strategy Officer First International Bank & Trust Fargo, N.D.

A true mentorship is a mutual relationship between the mentor and the mentee. Both parties should benefit. For someone who is new to our company, it is first and foremost about a successful onboarding and welcoming process. As the mentor, it is about discovery and learning about each other, personally and professionally. When a new employee is acclimating to the company, it is about making them feel welcome and more importantly, comfortable, safe, and free to ask questions.

It’s not just about the big things like the company’s mission and values. It’s about the small things as well. Introducing and taking on a mentee to your organization is critical to the success of the new team member and is a real opportunity for the mentor as well. You have to be genuine and look at it as an opportunity. Sincerely care and intently listen. Be sure to be completely honest and authentically promote your culture. Let them know who you are and what you stand for. And do your best to be accessible. Bottom line, take the time and take it seriously … be authentic.