As technology grows exponentially, more and more companies are tapping the expertise of young employees to school senior executives in technology, social media and other trends.

Reverse mentoring has turned out to be a win-win proposition. The young mentors get visibility with leadership and a rare glimpse into the upper echelons of their companies while the senior managers learn to utilize tools such as Facebook, Twitter and the latest smart phone apps.

Ohio State University’s Sanghamitra Chaudhuri, who recently co-wrote a research report on the topic, says making the arrangement takes the right mind set among the mentees adding that older workers with years of career experience sometimes challenge the notion that younger employees can add value to their work.

Companies from Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems to Ogilvy & Mather are working to connect mentors to mentees.

See a recent article on the topic.