Stuart Scott of the Holst Group in the UK recently facilitated an excellent meeting using the technique of focus and re-focus; an essential blue hat planning step that leads to success for the client. Here is Stuart's example: The local branch of the Institute of Directors asked me to facilitate a workshop for them. Their requested focus was: "How to increase our membership". Initially this sounded like a straight forward and clear focus. On meeting with their president and establishing more White Hat the following information was established: On average they were getting about 2.5% new members per year through natural growth. A figure they were more than happy with.This was also being achieved without any direct effort from themselves. They were however, also losing just over 5% per year of members who did not renew their membership. It was soon agreed and established that if they were not losing current membership, this would solve the problem. The focus was therefore changed to: "How can we maintain our current members?" The workshop was run on this new focus and some really excellent ideas were generated. Had the workshop been run on the original focus it would have done nothing to resolve the real problem which was - how can we keep and maintain the current members we already have? Thank you to Stuart Scott for sharing with us.

Date: Oct. 6-8, 2006. Location: Stockholm, Sweden. Attending this conference makes sense because facilitation is a growing profession with professionals who must build consensus, maximize participation, move toward action and get the most out of meetings. If you attend please be sure to send us some tips to share.

I love this quote: "We don't need one more study done on anything today. We lack the fortitude to take action. We need to take action!" - Howard F. Didsbury, Jr. My tip: Turn this quote into a wall poster and post it where all can see it as they arrive for the meeting. It's a subtle reminder to the group that they need action on the challenge for which they are meeting to resolve. Most often there will be someone in the group that will use the quote to help members realistically balance the perceived need for more information with the need to take action. The facilitator doesn't have to do everything. Group members have much to offer and this is just one way to leverage the intellect of the group.

Nov. 6-9,2006. Registration is limited to 8. We are offering two options: a 4-day which includes prerequisite training and a 3-day for people who have completed their prerequisite training. You can call me at 818-507-6055 to discuss or to register early to secure your spot.

Oct. 23-24, 2006. Locaton: Capetown, South Africa. The 2nd IAF Africa Conference is aimed at facilitators from all sectors. It will focus on the ways in which performance of individuals, teams, organisations and communities can be enhanced through skilful facilitation.