The challenges of telementoring

This paper explores the concept of mentoring from a distance and uses a case study of a mentoring relationship to examine some of the issues. Using a new definition of mentoring by Wighton (1993) to explore the meaning of mentoring using telematics, the issues of how we communicate are discussed. The need to develop new ways of communicating is advocated, with reference made to the needs of small businesses. The differences, benefits and weaknesses are discussed, together with a realisation that in‐depth communication of feelings, personal and difficult problems are unlikely to be discussed without well tested face to face dialogue.