Neuroscience – which has seen most of its major discoveries made in the last 10-15 years – has proved conclusively that the brain is remarkably elastic in terms of its capacity for change.  From this we are now finally able to identify our unique mental preferences created from inherited genetics, life experiences, and the circumstances in which we find ourselves.

PRISM is based on extensive and ongoing research, primarily by neuroscientists and universities in the USA and UK.  The instrument looks at the structure and electro-chemical activities of the brain, especially the interactions between the brain's hemispheres, not only in terms of attention and flexibility, but also in attitudes to the world. Fundamentally, PRISM is about our attention to the world – how we see and respond to our environment, including the people in it. More accurately, it is about our perception, or representation, of our environment.

Theories as to the areas of the brain which we use to inform certain functions have been considered for centuries.  Now thanks to advances in technology, we can conclusively prove that whilst the brain is a complex interconnected system, it is 'hard wired' to the extent that certain skills and functions are always developed in specific zones.  Consequently, through the infinite variables of genetics and experience we each develop different 'mental muscles' with which we stimulate our external behaviour.

By activating our brains functional areas in response to validated stimulant statements, PRISM is able to create three distinct profiles, or 'maps', showing how we prefer to process information using the known areas of our brain.  These preferred responses for the basis of our observed behaviours.

This shows us:

• how we naturally prefer to behave given a free choice – our Underlying profile
• the extent to which we feel it necessary to modify that behaviour on occasions to achieve key objectives – our Adapted profile
• the overall pattern of behaviour that we tend to use for most of the time – what people see and experience from us – our Consistent profile

By understanding where we are strong we, can maximise our opportunities,

By understanding where we lack mental muscle, we can focus our development

Why is PRISM different?

Rather than abstract, theoretical concepts, PRISM measures the things that people like doing and the behavioural characteristics related to those things. Research shows that people whose interests match their occupations find greater job satisfaction, are more productive and have higher levels of motivation.

Many personality and individual assessment tests are based on bi-polar scales (either/or) type of questions. In other words they identify people as either one thing or another. These over simplified labels make no allowance for the subtle, yet crucial, differences between people or the reasons why they behave in certain ways.

PRISM differs in how data are gathered and reveals balances and imbalances instead of the 'typecasting' that often comes from bi-polar methods. PRISM is not a 'psychometric test'. It does not label individuals by telling them what they are, it demonstrates why they tend to behave in certain ways in different situations.

The core of the PRISM Model is an easy-to-use, online inventory which can be completed in approximately 20 minutes. Due to its highly visual content and practical focus PRISM is easily grasped and immediately useful.

PRISM has recently been the subject of a two-year university study to measure its internal validity – essentially testing how well it measures what it sets out to do. The PRISM eight dimensions scored between 0.86 and 0.92. In separate studies, PRISM was tested to understand the accuracy of assessments made (known as its reliability).  Results ranged from 0.88 to 0.89 after 1 week, 0.74 to 0.87 after 6 months and 0.71 to 0.82 after 1 year. Both of these measures being at the top range for similar types of assessment instrument.

How we use PRISM to improve performance

PRISM is a highly versatile assessment tool that has many applications and uses.  Mentor Group consultants use PRISM to assist our clients to improve performance across all sectors and roles.

Some examples of these are:

• Individual 1:1 coaching as part of management and senior leadership development programmes
• Sales role behavioural benchmarking and team performance improvement
• Supporting hiring decisions by setting behavioural benchmarks for roles and matching candidate profiles to these
• 360° feedback for senior executives as part of annual performance reviews (including the use of the clients own competency framework assessment as well as PRISM profiling).

So, improving performance isn't rocket science...its Neuroscience

Want to know more?

Please click here to download your free personalised sample brain mapping profile.

SKILL-PILL JUST-IN-TIME LEARNING

Imagine being able to remind your executives about effective negotiation, just prior to their key account meetings or having the flexibility to regularly refresh managers on leadership lessons, wherever they happen to be. 

Skill-pills make just-in-time learning possible.

Skill-pills are concise marketing or training videos delivered to mobile devices.

Each Skill-pill comprises up to two minutes of rich media content and can be delivered to any mobile device: phone, new models of BlackBerry or video iPod, Mentor partner with Skill-Pill, creating bespoke content as part of their development programmes.

With successful trial in the London Stock Exchange, Skill Pill has proven to be a highly effective and efficient method of delivery training content.

Cloud Coach

CloudCoach™ is a coaching application designed to ignite and accelerate individual and team growth.

It enables managers to quickly develop and execute individual and team performance coaching and training plans that are integrated natively into salesforce.com.

Identify, develop and monitor specific coaching metrics to drive performance on the activities and behaviours that matter the most, those that impact pipeline and revenue.

Choose from a menu of pre-existing or custom-developed SkillBurst titles to develop specific skills.

SkillBursts are high impact, low time commitment, best practices driven, micro training interactions delivered in the Cloud. 

For more information on Cloud Coach, watch the short video below

3rd generation development centres

The Sales Gym

The Sales Gym concept is the Mentor Group's foundation for future sales success.

Both strategic and tactical, it is a powerful, unique methodology that includes tools, processes, skills, tips and techniques developed into an actionable road map for the entire customer-centred team to use again and again.

Working with our clients, we offer a tailored service covering all aspects of the core Sales Gym concepts from foundation level, through advanced sales to leadership and coaching activities, exploring areas such as board-level performance and improving personal impact.

  Click here to download a copy of the Sales Gym

Service Excellence

Most organisations know that bad service experiences lead customers to leave and to tell others. Sales and Marketing costs are wasted when service levels fall.

Service excellence is a core capability for Mentor. Bespoke programmes target leaders, managers, supervisors and front line employees to create sustainable behavioural change.

Addressing customer loyalty, the mindset of service excellence, communication and behaviour, our bespoke programmes instill a sales service culture focused on critical success factors.

Please click to download a copy of Service Excellence

Consultative SellinG

In most organisations Consultative Selling is the aspiration point that sales professionals aim towards.

We at Mentor believe that this is only step 2 of a 4 stage journey upon which true rewards can be obtained. Consultative selling needs to be mastered first before approaching the higher levels of Strategic and Enterprise selling.

It is the foundation stone of business development success in the 21st century.

To ensure that the sales professional maximises their successes, Mentor explores four focal areas.

With Consultative Selling, the customer's requirements are the central point around which the rest of the selling process revolves.

Sales professionals are shown how to prepare and partner with customers. This is reflected in their in-depth understanding of customers buying motivations and requirements.

Mentor Group has proven this model leads to increased success.