Living Dynamics Initiatives

This conference is an event for getting stakeholders from all parts of the organization to work together with a focus on developing a customer service focus. This event will draw from all groups inside and outside the organization who are interested in it future success. It is a large meeting format (50-80 people) over a two day period that gets people with different views of the issues to tell each other what they see. Small group discussions are set up so everyone's voice is heard. This conference is a tool to create common ground and the product is commitment to voluntary action plans to bring the organization closer to its goal of customer delight. In the conference we look at the past from various viewpoints. We check on the current internal situation, we create a shared vision for the organization's future, and we then develop general action plans to get to that desired future.

This design was chosen to increase the commitment of the participants. This design creates a working conference. Participants do not come to be entertained, but to participate. We want to see high individual responsibility and accountability. Our old way of doing things stems from a problem-solving approach. Rarely do we understand the problem, we simply choose the best solution that we can (from our limited viewpoint) and take action. This kind of behavior often leads to temporary solutions that do not solve the root cause of the issue, but do but us time with band-aids or diversionary tactics. This approach is designed to clarify the problem/issues and to develop common ground upon which to act. At the end of the conference there may still be many differences, but there will also be much agreement. It is the agreement that will allow us to move forward.

During the conference participants develop a data base based on the individual experiences and expertise of a diverse group of stakeholders. As representatives from various groups of stakeholders, individuals search from common ground based on the following: · First, participants examine their pasts. Individuals review the past 30 or so years from a personal, organizational and environmental perspective. Together, people are quick to see that they have many past experiences in common. They also begin to understand why some of the stakeholders behave as they do. · Second, participants focus on the present. People take a closer look at the external trends or significant forces facing the organization today. People will also examine the present from a personal perspective (i.e. how am I - my job - being affected by these changes). · Third, participants work in small groups to visualize new futures for the organization. Based on the past and present information that has been generated, each group will develop action plans to bring about planned changes.

• The focus is on a general theme, question or topic.
• All key stakeholders need to attend.
• This is not a problem-solving or conflict solving event.
• We are searching for common understanding and agreement so that we can quickly and effectively reach our goal. · People are specifically invited because they have the necessary expertise and experiences to help us create a new and successful future.
• Our purpose is to generate participant commitment.

Specific outcomes are not described in advance Problem-solving exercises are not practiced There are usually no speakers to inform or entertain (this sometimes done during lunch to educate if the subject at hand is new) There are no training activities A global perspective is developed in advance of local action A large, broad-based group works together to change a common issue The self-managing structure enables people to cooperate from the first hour.
 
 

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