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Mentoring & Training
Mark Yingling
Technical Sales & Support Manager SEEPEX
We recently spoke with Mark Yingling from SEEPEX about the importance of thoughtful mentorship and training in the pumps industry.
QUESTION
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
I have 30 years of experience in the pump industry with a focus on progressing cavity (PC) pumps. I am currently the technical sales and support manager at SEEPEX, where I manage application engineering, sales engineering specialists, order entry and service groups.
QUESTION
What is your experience with providing mentoring and/or training in the industry?
Throughout the years, I have held product manager, sales and sales manager roles, so I have always been customer facing with an emphasis on mentoring/training new employees, [and] also training distributors and customers on PC knowledge.
QUESTION
What do you think are the keys to being a successful mentor?
Beyond the knowledge, I would say that listening, taking time, reading body language and [having] compassion are all very important, as personalities and experience levels can vary greatly between individuals.
QUESTION
What is an example of mentoring and/or training you received that made a big difference for you (either positive or negative)?
I would have to say it was from a colleague when I first started work out of college. He basically took me under his wing with his several years of experience and taught me everything he knew. He was available and happy to answer questions, but what I felt set him apart was he would always make sure he gave a full explanation—not a quick answer just to give me an answer— in order to make all my questions learning experiences.
QUESTION
What are some lessons you’ve learned from training others?
All people learn differently and they may not be as enthusiastic about the training subject as you are, so training needs to be fun and light at times. Think about ways to keep everyone working toward the end goal and not hating every minute they are in training.
QUESTION
What advice would you give to someone who is becoming a mentor for the first time?
Take your time, be patient, develop a plan in your mind on where to start given your audience and do not be afraid to be flexible with feedback you are given.
QUESTION
Is there a particular “style” of training you prefer to give/receive?
I like to both give and receive training with visual references. I feel this helps explain, and in some cases, [it] pushes the recipient into asking some questions that maybe would not have been asked during a conversational presentation. Most studies I have read [say that] the majority of people are visual learners; I am definitely included in that majority.
QUESTION
How can those who are receiving mentorship or training make sure they’re getting the most out of the experience?
If appropriate, take notes. At some point it may not be needed, but these notes are a great reference moving forward. To that point, try and use the information or material as much as possible so it becomes natural and part of your knowledge base.
QUESTION
Any final thoughts to share with us?
One last thought: None of us will do this forever, so we should really transfer as much of the “tribal” knowledge as possible. I have been part of situations where that was not accomplished, and learning when available is the desirable path vs. starting over from the small scraps left and piecing them together.
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