Fw: Seeking counsel on presenting OS to a group

[Harrison Owen]

At 12:02 PM 1/24/00 -0800, you wrote:
>I got this request from a colleague  - Susan Partnow and suspect that there
>are some people who have dealt with the sort of situation she is facing.
>Any advice would be appreciated!
>
>Peg Holman
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <Susan4Ps at aol.com>
>To: <pholman at msn.com>
>Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 4:12 PM
>Subject: Seeking counsel on presenting OS to a group
>
>
>> I have an opportunity to introduce a group of HR Executives to Open Space.
>> This is a group of about 15 individuals from the private sector who meet
>at a
>> bi monthly roundtable. Typically they share stories of their own
>experience
>> or initiatives for discussion; often an outsider is brought in to present
>a
>> particular topic, as would be the case with my presentation.
>>
>> The dilemma I face is a very limited time frame of 1 hour 15 minutes --
>plus
>> a requested topic.  My original proposal was that we use a longer time
>frame
>> and have the participants participate in an open space -- focussing on the
>> opportunities of their roundtable association as the topic.  However, the
>> coordinator is now requesting this shorter time frame with the following
>as
>> the focus question:  "How must we change our compensation systems,
>benefits
>> programs and employee practices in light of the aging workforce, longer
>> lifespans, and expanding definition of family."  Does this seem like
>'mission impossible' --
*******************
Short answer YES!

If they are interested in experiencing Open Space take the time (I would say at
least a day) to do it -- and also get something useful done. If what they want
to do is hear about it -- show the (USWEST) video with a brief introduction,
and take any questions. There will be a bunch. And they will actually get
something out of the experience. The approach suggested by the "coordinator" is
(in my judgement) a one way ticket to frustration at best, and maybe disaster.
Don't do it.

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
phone 301-469-9269
fax 301-983-9314
website
www.mindspring.com/~owenhh
Open Space Institute websites
www.openspaceworld.org
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