1. Get To The Pointe
er ! WorkShop’s Monthly News-
P ow deas
he nd I
n T le a
n O op
ur f Pe
T O September 2010
-Mr. Watt
Are you ready for the 2011? Have you revised your plan?
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Repositioning your company can be an invigorating move - it's exciting to take a
fresh approach and go after new opportunities. But change is also risky and over time,
the momentum behind it can wane. When that happens, it's not uncommon for indi-
Option Finder 2
viduals, units, or entire organizations to default to the old strategy. If your team re-
with Bill Newkirk lapses, how can you get things back on track and people re-focused on the new direc-
Pics of the Month 3 tion?
Kudos 4 What the Experts Say
The reality is that very few strategic changes are successful. In fact, only 5% of large-
Team building Tip 4
scale changes actually work, according to John P. Kotter, Chief Innovation Officer at
Kotter International, a professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, and author of
Coupon 4 numerous books, including A Sense of Urgency.
Taking a different approach — one that doesn't disconnect execution from strategy
creation — helps prevent stalls before they happen, keeps your team focused, and
could put your organization into that elite 5%.
Create a "guiding coalition"
Kotter suggests that all change efforts include a "guiding coalition" — a diverse,
cross-functional, multi-level group with different skills and strengths. He warns that
this is "not some dorky task force" but people who are excited about the change and
ready and able to roll up their sleeves to drive it. If your team defaults back to the old
strategy, consider bringing together a group of individuals who can take responsibility
for pushing the change through. Choose the people who are most enthusiastic about
the new direction and give them real work to do, focused on pushing the team for-
ward. (Excerpts from The Harvard Business Review)
The environment plays a huge role in the results you get when attending a strategic
planning meeting. If you are meeting at work, in the same room that you have your
routine meetings, you will continue to get routine answers and ideas. Companies that
bring their teams to WorkShop get better results. Participants are much more relaxed
and the environment lends itself to opening the doors to creativity. Everyone has a
voice at WorkShop. Use the coupon on page 4 for your next meeting and check out
our new ADA compliant space.
Rainmakers in Louisville
2. September 2010
Bill Newkirk, Louisville, travels all over the Country facilitating his unique way for participants
to share their inner most thoughts and ideas in a safe manner. Bill uses the “Option Finder” . He has
used it here at WorkShop with many groups who are truly looking for the solution and want their staff
to be part of that solution. The Option Finder method is used to achieve results in meetings where
anonymity is important. The process guarantees 100% anonymously, 100% inclusively, it is incisive,
and it insures specific printed and graphic feedback.
Bill is a certified “Option Finder” instructor. He takes the participants will through a polling
process designed to identify what they perceive to be obstacles in the pursuit of the their mission.
Based on the needs of the team and the leadership goals, Bill may send out questionnaires prior to a
session or he may use questions that he deems necessary based on the pre-meeting consultation.
The questions are presented on a projection screen along with a list of responses from which the
participants can choose using an Option Finder keypad. The keypad is just like your remote control at
home, so they are easy to use. The response results are instant and displayed as a graph.
This is interactive process allows for complete participation, anonymity, speed, democracy of
input, and public display of everyone’s opinion. Bill does have the ability to use demographics within
the polling. For example, in a room of Senior Leadership and Mid-Level Managers, the responses could
be separated. This gives instant feedback and will give a true indication of whether or not your team is
on the same page or if there are serious issues within the leadership.
Your team will be lead through a series of discussions regarding the polling results and they will
be given an opportunity to work together finding solutions for the issues at hand.
At the conclusion of the Session, Bill provides the client with printed, graphic feedback and will
also provide you a debrief on the day’s activities. Bill has many years experience with Change
Management, Leadership training and Strategic Planning.
Bill Newkirk, Consultant
502-432-9123
3. September 2010
Are You A FAN of WorkShop
Teambuilding
Fun at
August
2010
Many companies enjoyed the opportunity to get their teams out of the office for a day. August was full of “Adventure in the
„Ville”, “ The Corydon Quest” and “The Adventure in the Wild”. Our team adventures this past month helped the kids from
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, the Seniors at Mt. Holly Nursing Home, and the Cralle Day house of the Home
of the Innocents. Not only do the teams experience the qualities of an effective team (communication, shared leadership,
trust, organization, planning, sharing information, and many more) they also give back to the community together.
4. September 2010
Check out our FAN page:
Are you looking for a way to get your
meeting started? Getting your team to
work together at a Monday morning meeting
is not the easiest thing to do. Here is a
little exercise to generate conversation and
Special Thanks to: put a little match to the fire.
David Frick, Eric Brown, Elaine
Troutwein, Deanna Philpot, Bill
Worley, and many other friends of
WorkShop for helping keep the
WorkShop doors open during the
passing of our family member.
You are so appreciated.
Stephanie and Jenness
Can you make four equal triangles
using six matchsticks, without
Turn On the Power of People and Ideas. breaking them or bending them?
The next time you go to your hair stylist, ask
them how they stay inspired and get new
ideas for styling. Many people do not realize
that hair stylists have opportunities for train-
matches will all meet at the top of the pyramid.
from each corner to meet above the center. The tips of the
ing and hands on education at WorkShop on triangular base, using three for the base and one rising
Sunday’s and Monday’s. David Frick, Salon
Form them into a pyramid with three triangular sides and a
Inspirations, is a consultant and training co-
ordinator who has brought many Educators
from across the country including New York
and California to Louisville to share their
Build on what you know,
expertise with local stylists. It is very
discover what you don’t!
exciting to see the stylists leave the sessions
with that glow of inspiration. That, “can’t 20% OFF MEETING SPACE
wait to try this” look on their face.
CALL TODAY…. 502-583-8555
They can reach David at (502) 645-6804. He
also has a great program for Salon Owners. Coupon valid for meetings booked after
Sept. 10. Good thru October 30, 2010