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Hi Susan,<br><br>
I recently did an OS that was in fact strategic planning, but was not
called that. It was for a non-profit organization. They wanted to seize
the opportunity of a move to larger offices to review and expand their
services to better answer their clients' needs. The steps of strategic
planning were not taken as they normally are, one after the other, but
the theme oriented the work and the elements of strategic planning
emerged naturally in the conversations and in the reports. So there was
no formal SWOT analysis, but the actual strenghts, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats did come out and were discussed. They didn't
examine obstacles, but those came out in the conversations and were
considered. After exploring various issues and options, the group decided
on three priorities and as the OS was two full days, the action plans
they developed were quite solid. Together, they do constitute a strategic
plan, simple but robust, written in clear language. A week later, the
management team sat down and reorganized work and schedules in view of
implementing the action plans. That was something that I insisted upon
all along preparation: start thinking what you can let go of, maybe just
for a while, to make place for actions that will come out of OS. Mind you
it was a small organization, so maybe a bit easier to do. <br><br>
From your e-mails, it seems that your VP wants to go with OS but is
still afraid a little bit. Could you try to have your presentation moved
after Lisa's? Because OS is such a different process, it would give you a
chance to point out particularities that answer whatever objectives or
preoccupations you hear during Lisa's presentation. You would probably
know by then if OS can be a fit or not. And if you feel not, then you can
simply say so and save time to everyone. Just a thought.<br><br>
I'm sure your presentation of OS will at help the VP get more comfortable
with it, and the others start thinking about how productive and fun it
could be. If the timing is not quite right now, well "whenever it
starts is the right time". They may need a little more
time.<br><br>
Hope this helps!<br><br>
Harrison, thank you for that article! I put it in my favorites for future
reference.<br><br>
Esther Matte <br>
Communications Esther Matte<br>
1011, Marie-Victorin<br>
Verchères (Québec) J0L 2R0<br>
<a href="http://www.excellence.ca/" eudora="autourl">www.excellence.ca<br>
<br>
</a><i>"L'art de dire"<br><br>
</i>Tél. : (450) 583-5849<br>
Téléc. : (450) 583-3513<br><br>
At 00:06 2007-10-12, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><font size=2>The article you
sent is perfect, Harrison, thank you. And I agree with your comments,
too. I asked if the "experts" were necessary and he mentioned
environmental trends we may not know of. <br>
<br>
The meeting invitation I received today to talk with the VP & HR Dir
about OST is kind of doubtful. He lists the meeting agenda as:<br>
<br>
Susan provides overview of Open Space Technology<br>
Lisa provides overview of purpose of environmental assessment session
(outcomes wanted), proposed agendas (process approaches), participants
and time frame<br>
Susan provides an "analysis of the fit of the intended outcomes for
OST<br>
Group determines whether or not to continue to pursue OST approach for
the meeting and next steps as appropriate<br>
<br>
Years ago I had given the VP a copy of your Introduction to Open Space
Technology book. He does understand the concepts of it but he hasn't seen
it in action. I'm afraid it might not be successful in this situation but
I'll give it a go to try to explain it to them. <br>
<br>
Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes. <br>
Susan<br>
</font><br><br>
<br>
<hr>
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