Goldie Connect - The Goldie Initiative

Goldie Connect Program Information & Resource Guide

The Goldie Initiative uses Goldie Connect as a way to connect emerging female leaders with experienced professionals in the CRE Industry.

https://www.mentorshiprocket.com/GoldieInitiative24 – (will be replaced)

What is Goldie Connect?

The Goldie Initiative provides high-quality, individual, networking options by connecting seasonal executive emerging female and male leaders with mentees via our online portal. It connects a wide variety of extraordinary leaders in the CRE industry with Goldie Scholars and women at companies that partner with the Initiative.

Presenting, Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver 2024 Goldie Gala sponsor companies can share this benefit with their female rising stars in CRE.

Through Goldie Connect, female employees can book one-on-one in-person or virtual mentoring sessions with seasoned female and male executives who offer valuable guidance for professional growth. This program is active February-July 2025. Information on how to use this platform will be available in December in preparation for the upcoming season.

Participant Eligibility Requirements:

Less than 10 years of professional experience.
Exclusively available for female employees.

Why did The Goldie Initiative create Goldie Connect?

Allow Goldie Scholars and emerging female leaders access to more women leaders in the CRE industry.
Streamline networking opportunities within The Goldie Initiative program.
Engage more women leaders by offering a way to give back and help other emerging women leaders.
Address the limited capacity some senior-level people may have to take on a Primary Mentorship role.

What is the time commitment for Mentors?
This networking model is different from other programs. A mentor’s time commitment is very light-duty – typically just 3 or 4 one-hour sessions spread over several months on Zoom, the phone, or in-person.

I am a Mentor and I don’t have time to build a mentor profile.
No problem – we build the mentor profiles. if you would like to edit your profile, you can create a password, verify your email, and choose times you are available to mentor. If you would like to adjust your bio, picture or industry tags, you can log in or email Goldie Initiative staff.

I am a Mentor and my schedule is always changing, how am I supposed to know when I’m free over the next few months?
View these time slots as tentative. Once you are connected with a mentee, you are free to pick any day/time/location that works best for you. If the time slot is for a few months in advance, the details can be figured out a few weeks beforehand.

Why can’t a Mentor input a time of day?

Goldie Connect, our program platform, only allows you to input a day you might be available. The mentee will reach out to confirm with you the date, time, location, logistics, etc.

How will I know someone has booked a Mentor session?
It is 100% the mentee’s responsibility to reach out and let the mentor know that they have booked a time. From there, you are free to adjust the date/time/location of the meeting.

Will Goldie Connect email me updates or reminders?
Mentorship Rocket will email you a notification email when someone has booked you. If you would like to ensure that you receive these emails, make sure they don’t get lost in your spam folder. Remember that It is the mentee’s responsibility to contact the mentor and confirm the time and day.

Can I see how many of my sessions are booked?
Yes, simply log in to Mentorship Rocket and click “My Sessions” – this feature is applicable to both Mentees and Mentors.

Can a Mentor reach out to a Mentee first?
Yes! If a Mentor wants to reach out to someone who has booked a session and nail down a time, you are free to do so. Visit Mentorship Rocket and click “My Sessions” to see the contact details for your mentees.

What should we talk about?
There are no assignments, tasks or deadlines; no note-taking or reporting functions. Each meeting is a comfortable, topics-based conversation regarding subjects that are important to the mentee who booked the session with the mentor. See below for sample discussion topics and questions.

What do Mentors get out of it?
With participation in this type of program, mentors can gain as much as they give. The chance to share their experiences and insights is satisfying and rewarding, plus each exchange is a chance to learn from the professionals with whom they meet. Usually a program is structured so each mentoring session is with a different mentee. The sessions are wonderful opportunities to hear how the rising talent in the industry sees the future.

Can I change my profile information, time slots and email information?
You can log back in anytime to update dates/profile information. Users aren’t able to update their email, please contact us if you need to change your email.

Additional Questions?
Contact us at info@gbwmi.org.

SAMPLE EMAIL FOR MENTEES TO SEND ONCE SESSIONS WITH MENTORS ARE BOOKED

Dear [_________]:

I found your profile on The Goldie Initiative’s Goldie Connect page and am reaching out to schedule a call through – as you may be aware, I reserved time with you on [_____] through the website. Is that day still convenient for you? If so, what time would work with your schedule? I am available in the following time windows: [_________].

I look forward to speaking with you and learning more about you, your career and your insights into the industry. A few questions and topics came to mind after reading your profile, in particular: [Insert a few specific questions/topics that will be the focus of the conversation – see below for sample questions].

I look forward to connecting.

Best,
[______] (Name, title, company, email and mobile phone number)

TIPS FOR A GREAT CONVERSATION EXPERIENCE WITH GOLDIE INITIATIVE MENTORS

Have a Plan and Ask Good Questions

The Goldie Initiative mentors recommend that mentees prepare an agenda and/or questions in advance of each meeting and ideally share the agenda with the mentors prior to meetings.

Questions during the meeting should be relevant to the background of your mentor. A good starting point is to decide what outcome you hope to achieve in the approximate hour-long session with each mentor. Perhaps focus on three or four topics you want the mentor to talk about, so when you leave each session you will have gained the knowledge that is most helpful to you.

Below is a list of sample topics and sample questions to assist you in your meetings.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MENTOR AND THEIR CAREER

How did you land where you are today?
Why did you choose commercial real estate?
What do you like most about your career?
Why do you do what you do?
What one thing do you still struggle with?
What’s one thing you would have done differently?
Share one of the greatest successes during your career. Was there a specific action or event that led you to this success?
Share a failure you experienced and what you took away from that experience. Is this where you thought you would be at this point of your life?
Who are the people that have made the biggest difference in your career?
What personal values drove you to your current role?
What has been the proudest moment of your career?
Is there anything you’ve had to give up in order to get where you are today in the commercial real estate industry?
What is the toughest feedback you’ve ever received?
What does success look like for you?
What is the one thing people would be surprised to learn about your career path?
What do you wish you knew 10 years ago?
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned so far?
What are the best parts of your day to day work?
In your work, are there any parts of your day you dread?
What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever worked on?
What else do you want to accomplish in your own career?
How would you describe your personal style?
How do you keep your feelings separate from your decision-making?
What do you know now that you could share with me about how you achieved professional success?
What were your biggest obstacles you faced at my point in your career and how did you overcome them?
Was there a clear turning point in your career? What happened and how did you navigate it?
What do you wish you had known before taking your first management role?
Can you tell me about a time when you had a difficult boss? How did you handle the situation?
Which leadership skills were the most difficult to develop for you?
What is the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how has it proven invaluable??
When trying to gain buy-in to implement a new program, what tactics have worked for you?
How do you keep a positive attitude when things are going against you?
Was there ever a role you applied for and landed, but weren’t 100% qualified? How did you proceed?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS RELATING TO GENERAL CAREER ADVICE

I am looking to accomplish ___________ with my career. Can you provide some advice or recommendations on how I should proceed?

How would you recommend I get into _________ (insert a specific specialization/role/company/sector etc.)?

What suggestions do you have for asking for feedback from my peers and bosses?

How do you suggest I measure my success against my goals?

What is the best advice you can give to help plan a career rather than simply work to keep a job?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT FURTHERING CAREER EDUCATION

How have you learned most of what you know today?
What is the best way I can become an expert in the commercial real estate industry?
What is the best way to keep updated on the commercial real estate industry?
Who are some industry experts and thought leaders that you admire in the commercial real estate industry?
Are there any classes or workshops that you recommend I take to learn more about my role or the commercial real estate industry?
Do you have any books that you would suggest I read?
Do you have any resources to teach me how can I become a more assertive negotiator?
What practices or resources can you recommend for dealing with nervousness when speaking to groups?
What do you see as some of the emerging trends in the commercial real estate industry?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT NETWORKING IN THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

What is your networking strategy?
Do you know of any networking events I should consider attending (besides the Goldie Gala, of course!)?
Are there any professional groups I should consider joining?
Do you have anyone in mind that I should talk to next? Can you put me in touch?
How do I cultivate relationships in a sincere, meaningful way?

SAMPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT BEING A FEMALE IN THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY

Do women in your job role have a hard time getting promoted?
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders in the commercial real estate industry?
Do you experience resistance when you are leading men?
What is some of the advice you share with young women entering a male-dominated profession?
How did you balance your professional life and your personal life? What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career?