[Ailist] Re: Ailist Digest, Vol 50, Issue 15

[sherene zolno]

To build a little on Amanda's idea of Gallery Walks--

1) each group prepares a visual (perhaps similar to some that folks have
been doing of the entire process--)--the important opportunity in this is
that they have fun, express what is going on in alternative media, and
communicate a lot in an instant.

2) each group selects one person to represent them at the gallery walk.
This person stands next to their visual (flipchart, maybe) and is there to
answer questions for any who pass by.  This person gets relieved by another
about halfway through the time allotted.

Use this time to serve wine & cheese or some snack so it is somewhat like a
party--people can chat about the process, pick up new ideas from one
another, raise the energy level at the end of a long period of mental
activity.

Sherene

The Leading Clinic
25900 Pillsbury Rd SW
Vashon, WA 98070




On 5/15/07 11:28 AM, "Amanda Trosten-Bloom" <amandatrostenbloom at mac.com>
wrote:

> As you've observed, one of the biggest differences between small and
> large summits is the way in which whole group report-outs are
> handled.  Here are a few ways in which I've dealt with the challenges:
> 1) Large summits generally take more time . . . be sure not to
> shortcut the length of the summit.
> 2) Be sure to assign tables, so that people will be certain to have a
> sense of the "whole" in their table groups.  (In smaller summits, I
> will occasionally leave this to chance.)
> 3) Have every table prepare report-outs, but only have a few tables
> actually share what they've prepared.  (This means that we don't hear
> from everyone every time.)
> 4) Have every table do "value-added" report-outs only.  This mean
> that they only report out something that hasn't already been said.
> (This of course only works when reporting out positive core elements,
> ideas or actions; not when reporting out stories.)
> 5) Divide the plenary into 2 or 3 or 4 subgroups, and have table
> groups report out in these subgroups, rather than in the plenary
> itself.  That way, everyone gets heard - but not by the whole group.
> 6) Use "gallery walks" to enable table groups to gather information
> from other table groups, without going through a whole group report.
> If people from the same table group visit different tables groups,
> they will collectively get a sense of what's going on in the "whole."
> 
> Whatever you do, don't speed up the relationship-making during the
> interviews and in the table groups.  That's where the "real" work
> will get done.
> 
> Amanda Trosten-Bloom
> Principal
> Corporation for Positive Change
> 303-279-2240
> amanda at positivechange.org
> www.positivechange.org
> 
> Co-Author of The Power of Appreciative Inquiry
> 
> 
> 
> On May 13, 2007, at 4:00 PM, ailist-request at lists.business.utah.edu
> wrote:
> 
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 23:48:28 +0200
>> From: "Marvin Faure" <marvin.faure at wanadoo.fr>
>> Subject: [Ailist] Discovery/Dream with 400 senior managers
>> To: <ailist at lists.business.utah.edu>
>> Message-ID: <000701c794df$46e30750$0300a8c0 at FSC291210051611>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>> 
>> Would any of you that have a lot of experience working with very large
>> groups be willing to share some ideas?
>> 
>> I have been set the very exciting task of designing a one-day
>> offsite for
>> the top 400 managers in three French companies that are merging
>> part of
>> their operations. The principle theme of the offsite is to be
>> change. Each
>> company has recently introduced a significant change (new internal
>> business
>> process, new IT system, etc
>> ) that will now be rolled out across the other
>> two.
>> 
>> I have plenty of experience running AI sessions with smaller
>> groups, and
>> have a very dog-eared copy of Jim Ludema¹s book that has served me
>> well
>> designing summits for up to 150 people. This will be the first time
>> I have
>> tackled such a large group. All 400 will be in the same room, in
>> principle
>> on tables of 10. The client is very concerned about keeping everybody
>> entertained and engaged. The brief is that the sessions need to be
>> fast-moving, with plenty of animation and transitions between
>> activities.
>> 
>> I¹m looking for ideas on how to scale the processes that work well
>> for 100+
>> people up to 400. How to do the report-outs, how to keep everybody
>> ³engaged
>> and entertained²? What has to change in the Summit methodology as
>> it scales
>> up? What are the really crucial things to get right?
>> 
>> Any and all ideas would be very much appreciated!
>> 
>> Marvin FAURE
>> MINDSTORE France & Suisse
>> Chemin du Canal 5
>> CH-1260 Nyon
>> Tél. +41 22 363 9286
>> Mob. +41 786 826 926 
>> www.mindstore.ch
> 
> 
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