Traction5

Join our founder Igor Gorlatov for an insightful discussion on excellence in mentorship programs, featuring KLAK - Icelandic Startups VMS and University of Luxembourg VMS sharing their innovative approaches

?????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? – ?????? ?????????? ???? ?????????????????? & ????????-???????? ???????????????? Still absorbing the insights from Product Jam—depth, clarity, and the kind of truth that only emerges in real-time strategy. This wasn’t just another founder workshop—it was a real-time experiment in emergence, adaptation, and co-creation. ?????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????????????: 1?? ????????????????? ??????’?? ?? ????????—????’?? ?? ???????????? ??????????????. The moment we stopped chasing the “right” answer, the right questions found us. 2?? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????????????? – Working alongside Wes Dews from StealthX was proof that the right synergy doesn’t just add—it multiplies. 3?? ?????????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ?? ???????? – When Winston Len challenged our assumptions, we didn’t brace—we absorbed. And in that impact, something sharpened. Clarity surfaces when we engage, adjust, and let the right shape reveal itself. 4????????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? – The real learning unfolded in the tension of real-time complexity. Product Jam wasn’t about rehearsed answers; it was about testing, adapting, and refining thinking in motion—just like the best strategic decisions are. Huge thanks to Drew Burdick, Wes Dews, Pattern50 the StealthX team, Innovate Charlotte and all the founders who made this such a rich learning experience. ??????????????—????????’?? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????????????? ?????? ???????? ????????? #ProductJam #Startups #Strategy #Emergence #Entrepreneurship #PatternEcology #LeadershipDevelopment #Traction5 ??

Super excited to announce the 5 NC-based startups we're hosting next week for our full-day workshop experience — Product Jam! Participating startups: HomeLedger Traction5 Troodie app Plugged In Tada Ai Huge shout out to our partners Innovate Charlotte & Pattern50 and our sponsor Evinex for helping make this day a reality! If you're an early stage founder and interested in participating in future Product Jam events, sign up at https://productjamclt.com/

What do Atlanta, Georgia, Belarus, Cairo, Egypt, Charlotte, North Carolina, Luxembourg, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania have in common? ????They all have leaders who are investing their time, energy, and passion into growing mentorship programs to serve local entrepreneurs! ?????? Different cultures and contexts with their own unique challenges but offering a similar opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn and grow: team-based mentorship! Thanks to Igor Gorlatov and his team and Lee Freeman-Smith for her support, I was able to represent our Cherokee Office of Economic Development crew to learn from other ecosystem builders around the world and share the successes and challenges of our very own, North Atlanta Venture (NAV) Mentoring Service. Despite cultural and language differences, we found a community who gets it, shares our passion for supporting entrepreneurs, and believes in advancing the unique value of team-mentorship for startups and founders. I left inspired, encouraged, and feeling as if we are not alone! Here's to the next gathering!

?????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? 90 ??????????????? Today, I had the privilege of facilitating a mentorship workshop where we tested this question. Instead of focusing on content delivery, we prioritized: ???? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?????????????(???????????????? ??????????????????) ???? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ?????????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????????????? ???????? ?????? ????????????? Ten professionals from diverse backgrounds moved from strangers to collaborative learning partners, generating insights that surprised even those with decades of mentorship experience. A powerful moment emerged when participants noticed how their mentoring style shifted during practice. While direct advice felt efficient, taking time to ask reflective questions led to deeper insights and more sustainable solutions. One participant noted: 'I realized I default to quick answers when more thoughtful questions could help people find their own path.' ???? ??????’?? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???? ????????????????????????, ??????’?? ??????????????! Special thanks to CLARK.LAW and Traction5 for sponsoring, Hygge Coworking for hosting, and Keva Walton for co-facilitating. #ProfessionalDevelopment #Mentorship #WorkshopDesign #CharlotteNC

??????????? ???????????????????? ??????????: ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???? ?????? “????-???????????????? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????????????????? ????????????????” ???????????? The success of mentorship programs often hinges on a simple yet profound question: ?????? ???? ???? ???????????? ?????????????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????????????????????, ?????????????????????? ?????????? ????????????, ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????????? ??????????????????????????? On Tuesday, January 28, we invite ?????????????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? (??????) ?????????????? ?????????????? to join us for an hour-long conversation to explore these questions together. This first session of our series is a space to share stories, uncover insights, and engage in the art of thoughtful dialogue. ????????’?? ???????? ????’???? ??????????????: ?? Attracting the right mentors beyond referrals ?? Building mentor commitment and engagement ?? Handling challenging situations with care and integrity ?? Exploring the role of digital tools in mentorship We’re grateful to have ???????? ?????? join us to share their journey of designing a digital experience for mentors with Traction5. Their story is still unfolding, and we’d love to hear your thoughts, too. This isn’t a presentation. It’s a conversation—a small gathering of program leaders who know the unique challenges of VMS mentorship. Bring your coffee, your questions, and your curiosity. Together, let’s co-create the future. ?? Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025 ? Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST ?? Format: Virtual | Limited to 10 programs ?? Join us: Send a direct message to Igor Gorlatov for an invite, or email [email protected]. #Mentorship #TeamMentorship #Leadership #Collaboration #Dialogue

?????? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????? ?? After years of building mentorship programs, working with teams at Groove Management, and studying organizational patterns, I’ve noticed something crucial: ????’???? ?????? ?????? ???????????????? ??????????. Most organizations try to build great teams first, hoping purpose will emerge from well-crafted mission statements and team-building exercises. But that’s not how transformative change happens. Purpose isn’t created—it’s discovered. Like firefighters forming around a fire, great teams emerge in response to genuine needs. ???????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ??????????: ? Alignment happens naturally, not through force. ? Roles become fluid yet essential. ? Trust grows in the spaces between formal structures. ? Meetings carry genuine gravity. In my work a team coach, I’ve seen this pattern repeat: The most impactful transformations start not with team structures, but with deep listening for purpose. Are you creating space for real purpose to emerge in your organization, or are you still trying to manufacture it? #LeadershipDevelopment #MentorshipPrograms #OrganizationalTransformation #PatternRecognition #EmergentLeadership

???????? ???????? ?? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????-????????????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ?? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????? Join our special guest Keva Walton and me for an interactive session exploring what makes mentorship truly impactful—whether it unfolds through structured corporate programs or organic connections. ???????? ???????????????????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????: ? Are shaping or supporting mentorship initiatives ? Want to grow as a mentor or mentee ? Lead teams and care about building a culture of mentorship ? Believe mentorship is key to professional and personal growth ?? Jan 23rd, 11:30 AM–1 PM ?? Hygge Belmont – Charlotte, NC (Hygge Coworking is a venue Sponsor). ??? Lunch included (sponsored by CLARK.LAW) ?? Limited number of participants ?? Register via QR code or link in the comments Know someone who’d benefit from this conversation? Tag them below or share this with your network. #MentorshipMatters #CharlotteNC #LeadershipDevelopment

Using Traction5 as a mentor is very easy!

?? ?????????????????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????????? In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to jump straight to solutions. But what if the most effective path to growth comes from exploration rather than resolution? In Igor Gorlatov's experience observing countless mentoring conversations, a key insight emerged: the most valuable learning happens when we create space to connect and explore. Here’s a powerful framework for productive conversations by David Clutterbuck: 1?? ?????????? ???????????????????? ??????????: Start with the person, not the problem. Build rapport and understand the individual before diving into issues. - ???????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????? ??????????, ???????????????????? ?????????????? & ?????????????? ??????'?? ?????????? ???????? '???????? ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ???????? ??????????'. ?????? ???????????????????????? ?????????? ???? ???? ????????????-???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????????, ?????? ?????????? ????????????????. 2?? ?????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????: Like adjusting a telephoto lens, guide the mentee to see their challenge from different angles. This approach clarifies their thinking. 3?? ?????????????????? ????????-????????????: The mentor’s role is to nurture the mentee’s confidence. The more they believe in themselves, the clearer their solutions become. 4?? ?????????????????? ????????????????: Effective mentors let the mentee summarize their learnings, fostering ownership and clarity. 4 ?????????????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???? ????????????????: ????????????: what topics did we explore? ??????????: what new thinking emerged? ????????????????: what do we now see differently? ????????????????????: what are we going to do with our learning? What strategies do you use to foster deeper learning in your conversations? #Learning #Mentorship #GrowthMindset #Leadership #MentoringMatters #ContinuousLearning