To get the most out of a board retreat, thorough planning is important. Key aspects of planning include clarifying the vision and goals for the retreat, engaging board members in the planning process, allocating sufficient time, selecting an appropriate facilitator, and following up after the retreat to ensure goals are implemented. Engaging the board early allows the retreat agenda to better reflect their priorities and increases participation.
There are several aspects to meetings: when to have them, who to invite, what structure and format to take and what type of meeting to run.
But first, why do we have meetings?
“Meetings are an opportunity and framework to get resolution, reach conclusion, share ideas and move forward – for those leading the meeting AND those attending”.
Find 5 things you can do to run more effective meetings.
Nonprofit Boards and Effective Governance4Good.org
The nonprofit governing board has been described as an ineffective group of effective people. Trustees are recruited for their stature, skills or connections, and then are not fully engaged. Why do nonprofits so broadly fail to use their boards wisely? And how might they do better? We will look at four interrelated areas: membership (including recruitment, development, self-assessment), process (including structure, meetings), capacity, and fiduciary issues.
Engaging HR & Marketing Employees in Nonprofit Board Service Taproot Foundation
We heard from HR professionals. We heard from marketing professionals. They want to use their skills to make a difference in their communities. Is your company ready to respond?
- 87% of HR professionals and 92% of marketing professionals surveyed expressed interest in nonprofit board service
- Board service can offer employees invaluable professional development experience in addition to amplifying the strategic impact of your company’s community investment goals
Of all the ways you can engage your employees in the community, pro bono and board service hold the greatest potential for deep impact.
Check out this presentation to learn more about ways your HR & Marketing professionals can drive impact for a nonprofit board.
For more information, check out: http://www.taprootfoundation.org/leadprobono/board_service.php
Working groups abound in public health, but how do you make them work? Some reflections on working within and coordinating a variety of working groups over the past 15 years.
Bruce Breier January 28 The Organized Executive Workshop FlyerPRFulton
Successful executives and leaders are always seeking ways to become more effective. The success of their companies depends on their ability to be organized and efficient. Are you as organized as you like? Are you interested in learning the critical elements that can propel your to be a more effective leader of your organization? Bruce has shown thousand of CEOs, Presidents, business owners and senior executives the keys of becoming an effective and efficient leader and manager.
These are the slides that were used at the first In-Person meeting of the PHXBusinessOwners Group. Please contact Robb Evans at robb.evans@PHXBusinessOwners.org with any questions.
There are several aspects to meetings: when to have them, who to invite, what structure and format to take and what type of meeting to run.
But first, why do we have meetings?
“Meetings are an opportunity and framework to get resolution, reach conclusion, share ideas and move forward – for those leading the meeting AND those attending”.
Find 5 things you can do to run more effective meetings.
Nonprofit Boards and Effective Governance4Good.org
The nonprofit governing board has been described as an ineffective group of effective people. Trustees are recruited for their stature, skills or connections, and then are not fully engaged. Why do nonprofits so broadly fail to use their boards wisely? And how might they do better? We will look at four interrelated areas: membership (including recruitment, development, self-assessment), process (including structure, meetings), capacity, and fiduciary issues.
Engaging HR & Marketing Employees in Nonprofit Board Service Taproot Foundation
We heard from HR professionals. We heard from marketing professionals. They want to use their skills to make a difference in their communities. Is your company ready to respond?
- 87% of HR professionals and 92% of marketing professionals surveyed expressed interest in nonprofit board service
- Board service can offer employees invaluable professional development experience in addition to amplifying the strategic impact of your company’s community investment goals
Of all the ways you can engage your employees in the community, pro bono and board service hold the greatest potential for deep impact.
Check out this presentation to learn more about ways your HR & Marketing professionals can drive impact for a nonprofit board.
For more information, check out: http://www.taprootfoundation.org/leadprobono/board_service.php
Working groups abound in public health, but how do you make them work? Some reflections on working within and coordinating a variety of working groups over the past 15 years.
Bruce Breier January 28 The Organized Executive Workshop FlyerPRFulton
Successful executives and leaders are always seeking ways to become more effective. The success of their companies depends on their ability to be organized and efficient. Are you as organized as you like? Are you interested in learning the critical elements that can propel your to be a more effective leader of your organization? Bruce has shown thousand of CEOs, Presidents, business owners and senior executives the keys of becoming an effective and efficient leader and manager.
These are the slides that were used at the first In-Person meeting of the PHXBusinessOwners Group. Please contact Robb Evans at robb.evans@PHXBusinessOwners.org with any questions.
DotAfrica Presentation Johannesburg South Africa- African Leadership RetreatDotAfrica Initiative
African Leadership Retreat 2020 Johannesburg,South Africa from 4th-13th July,2010
Read More Here http://www.dotconnectafrica.org/2010/07/the-africa-name-re-branding-africa-at-the-world-cup/
Start with a plan! This presentation is an effective event management plan I created after conducting a 6 month assessment of one company's event management processes. It includes evaluation, SWOT and a suggested solution of a cloud based project management software.
How to Become a Thought Leader in Your NicheLeslie Samuel
Are bloggers thought leaders? Here are some tips on how you can become one. Provide great value, put awesome content out there on a regular basis, and help others.
Steer towards success: What very successful portfolio company boards doLeslie S. Pratch
In our previous edition, we began to look at how you can design and fill the boards of your companies so they will be more effective. This edition shifts attention to board processes. Board processes exist to help the company reach its goals. First, we’ll examine how boards organize their activities. Then we’ll look at how board members actually behave in and between board meetings to support the company’s achieving its goals, and how to build the trust that facilitates good interactions between the board and management. The purpose of board processes is to encourage good board behavior to happen, but sometimes bad behavior still happens, and drastic action may be required.
Organisational strategy decisions such as those set out at the start of the year are usually long-term in nature. They involve big commitments of resources and ultimately, expectations of significant results that drive business growth.
But once you’ve set out your strategic goals for the year, how often should you go back to check your progress, evaluate performance, seek out new opportunities and make adjustments where necessary?
As important as it is to set your milestones and targets, it is also critical for your business success that you occasionally take a step back, ensure your strategy is working and see to it that there’s sustained organisational alignment with the business strategy. Doing this also presents you the opportunity to re-establish the focus on accomplishing your set-out objectives.
The key question to answer then is, how often do you step back to assess your strategic process?
In this deck, you will learn the intricacies of running an effective Quarterly Strategy Review. You will also learn;
• Why you should be deliberate about reviewing your strategy every quarter
• 9 critical questions your Quarterly Strategic Review will help you answer
• Key mistakes you should avoid for an effective Strategy Review Session
Meetings, meetings everywhere but not an agenda to be found! (Gatto, 2016)
Ahh, Meetings: the great alternative to work. As conventional wisdom goes, if you want to be busy, do nothing, produce little to nothing, and yet get paid, set up and attend meetings.
Ahh, Meetings: the great alternative to work. As conventional wisdom goes, if you want to be busy, do nothing, produce little to nothing, and yet get paid, set up and attend meetings.
Large companies spend millions of dollars on SAP, ERP, Quality, and ISO processes, but do these practices really work? Or, are they like the latest medical wonder drug before the recall because of bad side effects? Such processes can create an approach to work but they only work equal to the leadership’s ability to implement and utilize the process intelligently and appropriately. How do you intelligently and appropriately implement these processes through meetings?
How to get what you want (and move -- fast -- when you don't)Leslie S. Pratch
Not everyone is equally good at all parts of the "private equity person" role – some investors are better at sourcing deals, buying companies, or raising money than at being director or leading the Board. To be great at guiding portfolio companies, you need to know when and how to work with a CEO who will not always (or maybe ever) be pleased with the Board. Getting each party to do their part in achieving the aims of the investors – a job they must do together – benefits from planning, skills, and knowledge.
A successful nonprofit organization must have a responsible and engaged board of directors. This workshop will address fundamental nonprofit governance concepts including board members’ roles and responsibilities, board policies, and financial and legal oversight.
Creating a Stellar Chapter Development PlanBillhighway
On-demand available here: http://bit.ly/2kZwxGd
In this webinar, we'll walk through an example of a chapter development plan created by a fellow CRP. You will leave with a template to create your very own chapter development plan.
Sme strategy half day strategic planning workshops offsitesAnthony C Taylor
Dedicating time to have your team discuss about the future strategy and the direction of your organization is vital to stay aligned to your vision and be effective day to day. SME Strategy facilitates these discussions with flat fee half day sessions. These sessions include all topics relevant to a strategic plan including: Vision, mission, values, stakeholder engagement, organizational capacity, and much more. Learn more at: http://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-workshop-vancouver
Manage to lead - board development and operations v2IntelliVen
These slides present a framework for boards that make clear the difference between a Board of Directors and a Board of Advisors as well as how to set up and get the most from each.
The CEO, with the help of a board or a subcommittee of the board, and perhaps some outside advisors, can identify the weaknesses that challenge the CEO’s leadership competency. In listing those weaknesses and their internal and/or external ramifications, a development plan can be put in place to increase the CEO’s competency in areas of weakness, measure results and return the CEO to a level of confidence that the right person is driving the bus.
Similar to Planning A Productive & Efficient Board Retreat Acce Chamber Executive Magazine Winter 2008 (20)
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey throu...dylandmeas
Discover the innovative and creative projects that highlight my journey through Full Sail University. Below, you’ll find a collection of my work showcasing my skills and expertise in digital marketing, event planning, and media production.
Improving profitability for small businessBen Wann
In this comprehensive presentation, we will explore strategies and practical tips for enhancing profitability in small businesses. Tailored to meet the unique challenges faced by small enterprises, this session covers various aspects that directly impact the bottom line. Attendees will learn how to optimize operational efficiency, manage expenses, and increase revenue through innovative marketing and customer engagement techniques.
Personal Brand Statement:
As an Army veteran dedicated to lifelong learning, I bring a disciplined, strategic mindset to my pursuits. I am constantly expanding my knowledge to innovate and lead effectively. My journey is driven by a commitment to excellence, and to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Putting the SPARK into Virtual Training.pptxCynthia Clay
This 60-minute webinar, sponsored by Adobe, was delivered for the Training Mag Network. It explored the five elements of SPARK: Storytelling, Purpose, Action, Relationships, and Kudos. Knowing how to tell a well-structured story is key to building long-term memory. Stating a clear purpose that doesn't take away from the discovery learning process is critical. Ensuring that people move from theory to practical application is imperative. Creating strong social learning is the key to commitment and engagement. Validating and affirming participants' comments is the way to create a positive learning environment.
What is the TDS Return Filing Due Date for FY 2024-25.pdfseoforlegalpillers
It is crucial for the taxpayers to understand about the TDS Return Filing Due Date, so that they can fulfill your TDS obligations efficiently. Taxpayers can avoid penalties by sticking to the deadlines and by accurate filing of TDS. Timely filing of TDS will make sure about the availability of tax credits. You can also seek the professional guidance of experts like Legal Pillers for timely filing of the TDS Return.
Cracking the Workplace Discipline Code Main.pptxWorkforce Group
Cultivating and maintaining discipline within teams is a critical differentiator for successful organisations.
Forward-thinking leaders and business managers understand the impact that discipline has on organisational success. A disciplined workforce operates with clarity, focus, and a shared understanding of expectations, ultimately driving better results, optimising productivity, and facilitating seamless collaboration.
Although discipline is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it can help create a work environment that encourages personal growth and accountability rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
In this deck, you will learn the significance of workplace discipline for organisational success. You’ll also learn
• Four (4) workplace discipline methods you should consider
• The best and most practical approach to implementing workplace discipline.
• Three (3) key tips to maintain a disciplined workplace.
LA HUG - Video Testimonials with Chynna Morgan - June 2024Lital Barkan
Have you ever heard that user-generated content or video testimonials can take your brand to the next level? We will explore how you can effectively use video testimonials to leverage and boost your sales, content strategy, and increase your CRM data.🤯
We will dig deeper into:
1. How to capture video testimonials that convert from your audience 🎥
2. How to leverage your testimonials to boost your sales 💲
3. How you can capture more CRM data to understand your audience better through video testimonials. 📊
"𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑼𝑵 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑻𝑱 𝑰𝑺 𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑭 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑬"
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 (𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬) is a professional event agency that includes experts in the event-organizing market in Vietnam, Korea, and ASEAN countries. We provide unlimited types of events from Music concerts, Fan meetings, and Culture festivals to Corporate events, Internal company events, Golf tournaments, MICE events, and Exhibitions.
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 provides unlimited package services including such as Event organizing, Event planning, Event production, Manpower, PR marketing, Design 2D/3D, VIP protocols, Interpreter agency, etc.
Sports events - Golf competitions/billiards competitions/company sports events: dynamic and challenging
⭐ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬:
➢ 2024 BAEKHYUN [Lonsdaleite] IN HO CHI MINH
➢ SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. THE SHOW : Th3ee Guys in HO CHI MINH
➢FreenBecky 1st Fan Meeting in Vietnam
➢CHILDREN ART EXHIBITION 2024: BEYOND BARRIERS
➢ WOW K-Music Festival 2023
➢ Winner [CROSS] Tour in HCM
➢ Super Show 9 in HCM with Super Junior
➢ HCMC - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival
➢ Korean Vietnam Partnership - Fair with LG
➢ Korean President visits Samsung Electronics R&D Center
➢ Vietnam Food Expo with Lotte Wellfood
"𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬."
Business Valuation Principles for EntrepreneursBen Wann
This insightful presentation is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools needed to accurately value their businesses. Understanding business valuation is crucial for making informed decisions, whether you're seeking investment, planning to sell, or simply want to gauge your company's worth.
[Note: This is a partial preview. To download this presentation, visit:
https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations]
Sustainability has become an increasingly critical topic as the world recognizes the need to protect our planet and its resources for future generations. Sustainability means meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It involves long-term planning and consideration of the consequences of our actions. The goal is to create strategies that ensure the long-term viability of People, Planet, and Profit.
Leading companies such as Nike, Toyota, and Siemens are prioritizing sustainable innovation in their business models, setting an example for others to follow. In this Sustainability training presentation, you will learn key concepts, principles, and practices of sustainability applicable across industries. This training aims to create awareness and educate employees, senior executives, consultants, and other key stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and supply chain partners, on the importance and implementation of sustainability.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that form the foundation of sustainability within corporate environments.
2. Explore the sustainability implementation model, focusing on effective measures and reporting strategies to track and communicate sustainability efforts.
3. Identify and define best practices and critical success factors essential for achieving sustainability goals within organizations.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Key Concepts of Sustainability
2. Principles and Practices of Sustainability
3. Measures and Reporting in Sustainability
4. Sustainability Implementation & Best Practices
To download the complete presentation, visit: https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations
RMD24 | Retail media: hoe zet je dit in als je geen AH of Unilever bent? Heid...BBPMedia1
Grote partijen zijn al een tijdje onderweg met retail media. Ondertussen worden in dit domein ook de kansen zichtbaar voor andere spelers in de markt. Maar met die kansen ontstaan ook vragen: Zelf retail media worden of erop adverteren? In welke fase van de funnel past het en hoe integreer je het in een mediaplan? Wat is nu precies het verschil met marketplaces en Programmatic ads? In dit half uur beslechten we de dilemma's en krijg je antwoorden op wanneer het voor jou tijd is om de volgende stap te zetten.
Attending a job Interview for B1 and B2 Englsih learnersErika906060
It is a sample of an interview for a business english class for pre-intermediate and intermediate english students with emphasis on the speking ability.
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfKaiNexus
Enterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving their operations and processes while creating an inclusive environment that engages everyone. In this interactive session, the facilitator will highlight commonly established business practices and how they limit our ability to engage everyone every day. More importantly, though, participants will likely gain increased awareness of what we can do differently to maximize enterprise excellence through deliberate inclusion.
What is Enterprise Excellence?
Enterprise Excellence is a holistic approach that's aimed at achieving world-class performance across all aspects of the organization.
What might I learn?
A way to engage all in creating Inclusive Excellence. Lessons from the US military and their parallels to the story of Harry Potter. How belt systems and CI teams can destroy inclusive practices. How leadership language invites people to the party. There are three things leaders can do to engage everyone every day: maximizing psychological safety to create environments where folks learn, contribute, and challenge the status quo.
Who might benefit? Anyone and everyone leading folks from the shop floor to top floor.
Dr. William Harvey is a seasoned Operations Leader with extensive experience in chemical processing, manufacturing, and operations management. At Michelman, he currently oversees multiple sites, leading teams in strategic planning and coaching/practicing continuous improvement. William is set to start his eighth year of teaching at the University of Cincinnati where he teaches marketing, finance, and management. William holds various certifications in change management, quality, leadership, operational excellence, team building, and DiSC, among others.
Planning A Productive & Efficient Board Retreat Acce Chamber Executive Magazine Winter 2008
1. Planning a Productive and
Chambers hold Board retreats for a variety conduct an informed and comprehensive session. LaFreniere
adds that “it is crucial to set the direction of the retreat with a
of reasons: to make a mission adjustment, to clear agenda and buy-in from senior leadership.”
devise a one-year plan of work, to prepare for
engAge your BoArd in the plAnning
an internal reorganization, or perhaps to discuss Where do you turn to get a clear vision of what your
and create policies. But to get the most out of retreat needs to accomplish? You go to your Board, of course.
The planning begins months before the retreat, when you
your participants, it is important to thoroughly ask the members of your Board what they hope to accom-
think through the event in advance. This article plish as Board members. Whether you ask them individually
or collectively, their answers will provide the foundation
offers some ideas for creating a productive and for your strategic planning retreat. According to Dorothy
efficient Board retreat. White, president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Executives (KCCE), “I have gotten some of the best ideas
by asking my Board members why they are on the Board and
Be CleAr on your vision what they hope to accomplish in their tenure.” She says that
I
t may sound odd, but start at the end rather than the she “doesn’t take ‘I don’t know’ as an answer, either” and
beginning. Having a clear picture of the results you need that “you have to push the limits with your Board to have
from your Board retreat will enable you to plan effec- them articulate their goals and objectives as a member of the
tively. If you conduct a retreat every year, it may not have Board.” By engaging Board members early on in the process
the same level of intensity from one year to the next. There of planning for the Board retreat, White believes you will get
is a marked difference between a Board retreat at which measurably better results during and after the retreat.
you are creating or re-creating your Chamber’s vision, mis- The bottom line is that while every Board of Directors has
sion and values versus one in which you are validating the a unique and specific personality and set of goals for their
strategic goals of your current strategic plan or planning Chamber, human beings are more likely to be engaged and
your program of work for the next year. The precision with stay engaged in the work they are undertaking if they have a
which you plan either type of Board retreat should be the hand in creating the goals and objectives for that work. Ask-
same, however. ing and listening to your Board members with respect to how
According to Jodi Ann LaFreniere, CCE, executive director they want to participate in and what they want to get out of
of the Wake Forest (NC) Chamber of Commerce, “the amount a Board retreat is something that the Greater Seattle (WA)
of effort involved in planning the Board retreat has a direct Chamber of Commerce has down to an art. Prior to conduct-
correlation to the quality of the outcome.” By clearly defining ing its last strategic planning meeting, the Chamber sent out
the strategic direction of the retreat well in advance, you will a 10-question, online survey to each of the 114 Board mem-
ensure that you have all of the data and information needed to bers asking how the Chamber has been performing since the
16 Chamber executive Winter 2008
2. By joan Cozart, m.ed., ed.s.,
and joseph w. Cozart, sr.
Efficient Board Retreat By joan Cozart, m. ed., ed. s., and joseph Cozart, sr.
last retreat and what its focus should be for the coming year. event and be fully engaged. Many Board retreats include a
By doing this in advance and then bringing the compiled “team-building” portion which may not be necessary for a
results to the Board retreat, staff was able to laser-focus the Board that is meeting monthly, staying highly connected
planning process. As Anne Maria Jacobsen, board adminis- with each other and is comprised of very busy profession-
trator and special projects manager, puts it, “we’ve taken als. Really knowing and respecting your Board and having a
the ‘filler’ out of the planning process and are able to work clear vision for the Board retreat will allow you to determine
within the availability and parameters of our large Board.” the right amount of time to allocate for the event. The best
Emmy Jordan, the Greater Seattle Chamber’s vice president strategy for team-building with a Board is to have ongoing
of member relations and business development, says her opportunities for the members to get to know one another
Human beings are more likely to be engaged and stay engaged in
the work they are undertaking if they have a hand in creating the
goals and objectives for that work.
Board wants “convenience and to have their time used effec- and not to try and accomplish a sense of team just once a
tively.” She says that “having an engaged Board and active year. The Greater Seattle Chamber has found that varying its
committees all year long allows us to streamline the strate- meeting times and agenda throughout the year to include
gic Board retreat to a more manageable level and increases some social time is the best way to build relationships on
participation in the Retreat itself.” Apparently the Board feels the Board. In this way, Board members can “disengage from
that this goal is being accomplished because its members the actual agenda and focus on who the person is across the
remain highly engaged in the work of the Chamber. table,” according to Jacobsen.
Allow Ample time seleCt An AppropriAte fACilitAtor
Allocating the right amount of time to the retreat is a Another component of an enticing, effective Board retreat
function of the vision and objectives of the retreat itself. is to choose the right facilitator. Some believe that an outside
If a Chamber needs to re-invent or re-brand, the strategic person should facilitate the retreat, but that is not neces-
planning process will be considerably longer than for the sarily so. An inside facilitator may be appropriate for Board
Chamber seeking to validate its current program of work. retreats that are less intense in terms of the goals and agen-
In any case, the length of time allocated to the retreat needs da. The most important aspect of facilitation is that the role
to reflect the amount of time the Board can allocate to the is one designed to help move the process of the Retreat along
Chamber executive Winter 2008 1
3. If you need to shake up your Chamber’s
performance, consider including some new faces and
voices in your retreat.
to the desired conclusion and is not necessarily an individual productive while allowing the chamber executive to maintain
who is heavily influencing the direction of the outcome or strong relationships with all Board members.
the outcome itself.
However, your Chamber’s budget, your relationship with provide fresh perspeCtives At the retreAt
the Board and the vision for the retreat are key consider- A question that may not be asked often enough is, “Who
ations in making a decision about how the retreat should be should be involved in our Board retreat?” Many Boards and
facilitated. If you decide to utilize an outside facilitator, it is even chamber executives may not want to consider including
important that you “develop a relationship with a facilitator “outsiders” in a Board retreat, but that may be a sign that
whose approach and philosophy work for your organization,” this is precisely what should be done. The diversity of per-
says Wake Forest’s LaFreniere. An outside facilitator should spectives and opinions that may be introduced by including
be used for retreats that encompass issues which are more key staff members and key non-Board chamber members in
polarized or more complex. This individual has the oppor- the retreat could be the catalyst to producing a more robust
tunity to remain objective when personalities and emotions and productive event. Remember, according to Sigmund
may run high. Additionally, an outside facilitator’s skill and Freud, the definition of insanity is doing exactly what you’ve
experience may keep a meeting on track and ultimately more always done but expecting different results! If you need to
18 Chamber executive Winter 2008
4. must be swift and spe-
aCCe’s CONsuLtaNts ON DeMaND cific. The old adage
“strike while the iron is
hot” applies here. After
Preferred Providers
the event, the participants
as part of its chamber solutions strategy, acce should be energized about the
introduces its preferred providers program— work they did and the work that
advice-driven support/solutions for your chamber’s is ahead of them, so you need to
specific needs. capitalize on that energy. Pro-
acce has researched the topics on which vide a full report of the results
chambers seek the most advice, and established in no more than 10 working
preferred provider relationships with a small days, but make sure that
number of high-quality, professional consultants. you organize the results in
These consultants specialize in working with a way that is motivating,
chambers of commerce on developing ambitious, not overwhelming. LaFreniere notes that after her Chamber’s
yet achievable, results that can improve their last Board retreat, “several Board members were slightly
organizational capacity. Whether your chamber overwhelmed with the sheer volume of work that we hoped to
seeks a facilitator for a simple planning retreat, accomplish.” She and her staff members organized the strate-
or needs guidance on how to best re-organize gies and objectives under four key goals and then assigned
a department, acce can help in locating and specific responsibilities to staff and Board members with pro-
retaining the right consultant. jected dates for the work to be completed. By doing this, her
among other services to be offered, we have Board was able to see that there was a clear process in place
identified two providers for strategic planning for how the new Strategic Plan would be executed.
assistance: OpX Group and transformations Ultimately, the strength of your Board retreat depends
Consulting. entirely on the choices you make. Clarifying the goal, engaging
the Board, choosing the right facilitator and participants, and
contact acce at (800) 394-2223 for more
setting “doable” tasks afterwards are important elements toward
information.
overall success. The overall results will be a direct result of the
planning process, the Board’s engagement and the involvement
of the facilitator. So, as you do with all of the momentous and
shake up your Chamber’s performance, consider including memorable events your Chamber conducts, start with the end
some new faces and voices in your retreat. The “voice of the in mind and choose all of the elements with care.
customer” (i.e., your members) may be the very one you need
to hear to more effectively plan for the future. Joan Cozart, M.Ed., Ed.S., and Joseph W. Cozart, Sr., are
principals at OpX Group, Inc., a consulting firm specializing
follow-up is CritiCAl in Organizational Management and Best Practices imple-
Every retreat should be completed with a set of goals that mentation. OpX Group provides services, tools and tem-
are measurable and meaningful. White, from the KCCE, plates for organizations to reflect, re-engineer and redesign
observes that “if you don’t plan and you have no goal, that’s their vision to sustain growth and profitability. The Cozarts
exactly where you’ll go—nowhere.” Follow-up from the retreat can be reached at (850) 267-2045 or info@opxgroup.com.
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Rockville, MD 20850
To find out more about how ChamberGuard™ tel: 301-795-6600
can help protect your organization, call us or fax: 301-795-6610
toll free: 888-466-8425
have your agent call at (888) 466-8425 or visit
us on the web at www.NovickGroup.com.
20 Chamber executive Winter 2008