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At 09:01 AM 6/1/01 -0600, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Within a couple of weeks we want to
organize a 'client-day' for our<br>
clients. Big challenge is to make it worthwhile for everybody. Instead
of<br>
the dull presentations usually done at such a day I have convinced
my<br>
management that OST will be the way to go. Is there any experience doing
an<br>
OST for a group of clients; people who probably won’t share a lot
except<br>
being our client.</blockquote><br>
Looks like the bases have been pretty well covered, but I might add my 2
cents. Several years ago a major systems integration/development company
tired of doing the annual client "bash." More exactly the
clients indicated that coming to another big dinner with talking heads
was not on their agenda. So they opted for a little Open Space. These
folks made BIG financial systems, as in VISA, CitiCorp, City of New York
etc. So we did an Open Space with the theme, "New Systems for the
Financial world." <br>
<br>
And guess what -- the clients put their wish list on the wall. (This is
called Market Research). Then the groups formed and started working the
issues. (This is called co-development). They even designed fundamental
architecture and we had clients writing code for products they were
eventually going to buy. The VP in charge said he thought this was
immoral -- sort of like shooting fish in a barrel. I said I thought it
might just be good business. Get the customer to identify what they want,
work on it together, and then charge them for the work they did. (This is
called Smart) Sounds rather the easy ethics of an Open Space Facilitator.
You know the scam. Let the client do all the work, write the report --
while you go and take a nap....<br>
<br>
Should be fun.<br>
<br>
Harrison <br>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Harrison Owen</blockquote>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-469-9269<br>
fax 301-983-9314<br>
Open Space Training
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
<br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com/~owenhh</a><br>
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