2009 17th WOSonOS
OPEN SPACE REPORT FORM
Topic Name : How to open space in multi-nationals?
Topic Number :3G
Convenor Tim Lam
Participants (including Bumble Bees): Bhav Patel, Brian Bainbridge, Laura Hsu, Suzanne Daigle, Teresa Chang, Mark Pixley, Tong KI, Eva Chen, Laura Hsu, Aquia, Steve
Insights, Questions Raised, Possible Actions, Recommendations, etc:
Participants were asked why they were drawn to this question.
l Some were curious ; people know that bosses are interested in results so how do you approach them about Open Space.
l Someone else wanted to know how to handle big groups ; wanted to hear from others who are doing work with Multi-nationals
l Feeling that the world is getting smaller, we need to contribute something to the world and Open Space has a lot to offer
l Interest in finding the right language to frame discussions about Open Space ;
Discussion was introduced on how to approach clients about OS with Tim leading with questions such as : Why is Open Space more appropriate ? How do clients find the consultants ?
l Response was overwhelming that you don’t sell Open Space ; you connect with people before all ; not about marketing, promotion in terms of letting people know about Open Space. Typically people will hear about you, your experience; business through personal referral. Not unusual that it can take a few years from a first introduction with a client before they hire you for Open Space ; often happens unexpectedly afterwards.
l Find people you know in the organization ; use your connections. The church can be a good referral.
l Start with a small group within a company to do Open Space ; they will speak of it to others
l Doing an event that draws prospective clients ; typically you might get one client from this. May take a few events to get just a few clients. One individual gives an example of doing an Open Space with HR representatives ; they had fantastic conversations but did not lead to future business perhaps because it was only perceived as brainstroming or the isssue may not have been framed as something they were passionate about
l Executives will want to know about results, outcomes ; need to approach them in a language of business, talking about issues that matter to them ; not about selling open space. Executives less interested in the details of the process.
l Engage dialogue about outcomes for example having better levels of participation in the organization ; Don’t limit to Open Space ; other tools are available.
l Adopt a process design approach ; one consultant will often include Open Space as part of the offering for example 1 day Open Space then strategic planning.
l The important thing to consider is that we are « opening space » not selling Open Space.
l Focus on creating a first event ; use 3rd party facilitator, get the theme question right ; assure that you have a leader that makes this happen.
Other important discussion points
l Issue in organizations are that Managers in their role are expected to be in control, to be doing it themselves. MBAs. World of « Managerial....ism » the « ism » of control and certainty.
l What also happens in large organizations is a lot of moving around of people, of managers.
l Take the approach to help people believe that what they are doing is fine ; work with leaders to be in service to the people which is really letting them do their work ; people in the jobs know what is needed. CEOs should not be slowing thing down, or be getting in the way of those doing things. Learn to « allow stuff to happen ». and remember what the company is about...producing what they produce, most times that mission does not change.
l Stories of major companies/organizations who have used Open Space very successfully. When part of a company uses it ; often it will attract others to do the same. Conversely in some situations if there is a management change or if a sponsor leaves, Open Space stops ;
l The key question is not just how to OPEN SPACE in multi nationals but how to SUSTAIN Open Space in multinationals. That’s the big question.
l Discussions about the economic downturn and reduced budgets. Agreement that the need for a process has increased in times like these but companies don’t know the process and are not using it. Thousands of factories are struggling and have been downsized that could be helped with a process like Open Space.
l Benefits in the beginning of using an outside facilitator for the first time ; less risk, adds credibilty and then afterwards, internal resources can be used.
l We must believe in our work and its potential. This world presents great opportunity to introduce this methodology and we can frame it in terms of the pain people are experiencing and what it can achieve in changing how business operates.
l Don’t try to explain what Open Space is; people need to experience it.
