[Ailist] RE: Ailist digest, Vol 1 #142 - 1 msg

[James P. Troxel]

This is Jim Troxel from Chicago.  I'd like to weigh in on the SWOT
discussion.

First, FYI, I am a former staff member of ICA - Institute of Cultural
Affairs - and one of the architects of the ToP - Technology of
Participation - group process methodologies.  Those who want to know more
about ICA and ToP can refer to their website at www.iaf-world.org.  BTW, ICA
was one of the NGO's that Cooperrider and company at Case Western used back
in 1989 to test AI on.  I was on the local AI team and we all benefited
greatly from that encounter.

Back to SWOT - which is nothing of course unique to ICA or anybody else -
what AI can do with SWOT is something like this:

With the list of "weaknesses", you might ask your group, "What are the
hidden assets (or implied strengths) within the weaknesses?"

And with threats, you might ask, "What are the implied opportunities within
the threats?"

In other words, what AI as a "lens" allows you to do as a facilitator is
invite the group to look beyond the surface list of stuff into the deeper
meaning.

Of course, there is the shadow side, too, that may need to be given
attention, i.e., the liabilities within the strengths, and the dangers
within the opportunities.

Guiding a group beyond the routine list of SWOT into a depth conversation
about the real nature of their situation is what AI allows a facilitator to
do.

My two cents -

James P. Troxel
Millennia Consulting, LLC
28 E. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60604-2214 USA
Tel: 312-922-9920
Fax: 312-922-0955
Email: Troxel@ConsultMillennia.com
Web: www.ConsultMillennia.com



-----Original Message-----
From: ailist-admin@mail.business.utah.edu
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Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2000 1:00 PM
To: ailist@mail.business.utah.edu
Subject: Ailist digest, Vol 1 #142 - 1 msg


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