Quiery

[Peggy Holman]

Paul,

I'll give you my thoughts on your questions and will also forward this
message to the Open Space e-mail list as there are many others who can add
value to the answers.

1.  Speed of growth and areas of use

The estimate of OS practitioners is between 2,000 and 5,000 around the
globe.  With the publication of Expanding Our Now and the second edition of
the user's guide, the number of inquiries is increasing.  There is a vibrant
community of practitioners who openly share learnings through an e-mail
list, an annual gathering called the Open Space on Open Space and through
stories published on the web sites: www.tmn.com/openspace (which is
connected to a site with lots of stories, compliments of Barry Owen).

The areas of use are enormously varied.  If someone feels passionately about
a subject and wants to involve many people, OS can work.  In business
settings, there are examples of use for downsizing, merging, strategic
planning, reorganizing, new product development, and many more.  Its been
used in communities to decide how to spend government funds and in
non-profits to understand volunteerism.  Whatever is important to the
organization is a candidate subject.

2.  Strategies for marketing

This may seem a contradiction, but I think you will find that most of us
have followed Harrison's lead on marketing -- we don't.  Open Space doesn't
lend itself well to selling.  A common approach to prospective clients is to
let them know that if they have any other way to meet their needs, use it.
In the same breath, it is helpful to let clients know that OS works where
there is complexity, conflict, diversity and a short decision time.  It
works with real issues where people want to get something done.

There are several excellent pieces on talking about Open Space on the web
site.

3.  Is it recognized by schools?

I am aware of several programs that do courses on large scale change and
include OST in their curriculums.  There are periodically people who ask
questions because they are working on a masters thesis or doctoral
disertation.

4.  Blending with other approaches

OS creates conditions for people to organize based on what they feel
passionate about and are willing to take responsibility for.  Some would say
that's all you need.  Once people experience that way of operating, there's
no going back.  In practice, sustaining Open Space requires a willingness
live with greater ambiguity and less need for control.  Development
approaches that support people in doing that could be useful.

Hope that gives you a starting place.

Peggy Holman
Open Space Institute
425-746-6274

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Donnelly <pdonnell at drdc.com.au>
To: osi at tmn.com <osi at tmn.com>
Date: Sunday, August 09, 1998 4:00 PM
Subject: Quiery


>Dear Sir/Madam, I have recently read Expanding Our Now and am part-way
through The Users Guide.   I have a strong professional and business
interest in the application of processes that fully engage human
participation and help to bring about change.   We do in fact engage a large
number of intervention activities that help foster change in the rural
environment.   It is in this context that I am contemplating taking up
membership of the Institute but wish to make some further inquiries before a
final commitment.  I would be grateful therefore to receive your response to
the following questions.
>How rapid is the growth in thuse of OS, and what areas of business (eg
general planning, solving difficult situations, building moral and
enthusiasm, crativity, merging culture, business re-engineering)is this
growth.   Is its use expanding in any particular way in the rural sector.
>Are there any particular starategies being used for marketing the use of
the process which are proving successful?
>Is OS being recognised as a leading edge tool for change management in
business schools and/or leadership centres both of the general and the
specialist kind such as that run be Joseph Jaworski (Centre for Generative
Leadership) which seems to have a foundation which includes elements of
quantum theory, collective conciousness and syncronicity.
>In relation to leadership accents is OS being blended with other forms of
leadership development such as visioning to build creativity, commitment and
stretch?
>I do look forward to your reply as I am indeed positively interested in OS,
its application and learning the trade so as to speak for its application.
>Best regards
>
>Paul Donnelly
>Managing Director
>Dairy Research & Development Corporation
>Tel: (03) 9602 5300 Fax: (03) 9602 5442
>E-mail: pdonnell at drdc.com.au
>
>