Facilitation
It is fairly common to have business meetings that are coordinated to solve day-to-day problems and to assure accountability through the review of key metrics. These meetings are essential to any organization. The format is usually straight forward in that the meeting is held on-site and is typically led by a manager to help promote efficiency and productivity. An added tool is to introduce the concept of third party facilitation to help address a specific strategic need that needs more attention and in a different way than a typical business meeting will provide.
Facilitation is NOT about directing or controlling. It is about guiding groups of people to help each other solve their challenges and issues. It is about coordinating a team effort to discover what the best tactics and strategies are that will help a company reach its targets. Once a Vision and Mission are in place, tapping into the knowledge and experience of the leadership and/or employees is the most powerful way to not only get different perspectives, but to involve those people in helping to create the future. Working offsite is the most effective method whether the groups are small or large since it takes everyone out of their day-to-day tactical environment and places them in a “thinking” one that promotes creativity and a bonding involvement.
The process is also a very unique and important tool for small CEO advisory groups that place the top management outside of their own company and in the presence of like-minded peers who often struggle with the same issues. It has been documented by TAB (The Alternative Board) that even though CEOs/Presidents/Owners may be in different and non-competing businesses, that over 70% of the challenges and issues are in common. In this confidential environment, the members are free to speak openly about their common challenges that will include; finance, planning, HR, implementation, etc.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: (Tools, analysis, recommendations, consulting, coaching, facilitation and training are all available and provided by The Balzer Companies as an integral part of Strategic Business Development)
1st : Consider the value of being a part of a facilitated group of peers that act as an informal advisory board. This is invaluable in getting peer feedback to fine-tune as well avoid the potential pitfalls that can occur when operating in isolation.