Life doesn’t give us too many second chances, but in the case of the H1N1 pandemic influenza that first struck in early 2009, the U.S. has had the rare opportunity to thoroughly prepare for the virus. Over the spring and summer, doctors, scientists, public health officials, and government officials combined their best efforts to prepare for a potential pandemic outbreak when flu season returns.

Whenever I’m discussing my philosophies on the purpose of hiring a mentor service, I sometimes notice an elephant in the room that no one wants to address:  Just what the heck IS a mentor anyway?  Sometimes it slips my mind that there isn’t a clear definition of what these types of services are for in business.  My own personal definition of a mentor is pretty much the norm for the business world, but should probably be reviewed, regardless.