Stephen Gill Associates has been named the winner of a Gold Stevie Award in the ‘Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources’ category in the fourth annual Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards with the Thermentor.Org – Cool Mentoring scheme.

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards is the only business awards programme to recognise innovation in the workplace in all 22 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world's premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in programmes such as The International Business Awards for 15 years.

Nicknamed ‘the Stevies’ for ‘Stephanos’, the Greek word ‘crowned,’ the awards will be presented to winners at a gala banquet at the Hilton Hotel in Tokyo, Japan on 2 June. 

More than 700 nominations from organisations across the Asia-Pacific region were considered this year in categories such as Award for Excellence in Innovation in Products & Services, Award for Innovative Management, and Award for Innovation in Corporate Websites, among many others.

Thermentor.Org - Cool Mentoring is an innovative scheme to help match mentors to mentees across the global refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump (RACHP) industry. It is a ‘not for profit’ scheme started and run by volunteers with a genuine desire to help their industry, and on a personal level to ‘pay it forward’ as a thank you to the many ‘good souls’ that helped them in their own careers.

Unlike conventional mentoring which is typically in-house and face-to-face, in this scheme the mentor and mentee didn’t meet. The whole mentoring process is carried out by hybrid e-mentoring employing an intelligent use of technologies available, such as email, SMS, and video-conferencing. 

The aim of the scheme is to supply the international RACHP industry with short-term periods of quality mentoring at a distance. Since its initial pilot scheme in 2015, a total of 110 pairs, from 12 countries, across four continents have taken part in the scheme.

Stephen Gill, founder of Thermentor.org said “Everyone needs a mentor. The Cool Mentoring programme has provided considerable benefits for the mentees, the mentors and the RACHP industry. It is a case of ‘everyone wins! Mentees reported improved self-confidence, receipt of career advice, extensive networking opportunities, and increased technical knowledge. Mentors also gained from the mentoring relationship.  Benefits have included improved job and personal satisfaction, a greater insight into their own level of knowledge, and increased interest in international aspects of the industry. The RACHP industry benefits from a raising of skills and retention of knowledge within the industry.”

He concluded “We are absolutely delighted and thrilled to have won this prestigious award. This is a true success made possible by volunteers with an innovative idea and a pioneering approach.” 

Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 50 executives around the world acting as judges in March and April.

Details about the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards and the list of Stevie Award winners are available at http://Asia.Stevieawards.com.