Welcome
This short document is designed to give you a sense of what’s happening on this program of work.
You will be warmly welcomed to the leadership team session on 21-22 August (in Campbell), where we will have a series of conversations centred on answering this question.
"What does it mean to be the leading provider for underserved SMBs, and what will it take to succeed?"
The order of the day:
We will all be in a safe space where there are no wrong questions but only straightforward and genuine debate.
The space will be prepared for focus through discussion through impartial and objective facilitation. In the room, there will be a visual ‘framework’ that encourages us to appreciate the question from a number of critical perspectives.
Each module of the framework will contain information that we’ve already gleaned*. This will also provoke discussion on gaps and opportunities. When added together, it will help us answer the question over our time together.
*This prepopulation has been based on the knowledge we’ve developed from a questionnaire and the data already shared.
This approach is called Structured Visual Thinking™. We developed it to answer important questions for business leaders.
The Technique:
This approach is called Structured Visual Thinking™. We developed it to answer important questions for business leaders.
It’s Fast: It’s designed to respect your time and be immersive and engaging.
It’s Objective/Impartial: We are not consultants with any long-term aim of selling you something.
It’s Powerful And Effective: It quickly focuses the team on solving the real challenge and creating clear and meaningful outcomes: plans, strategies and the tools, equipment and resolve to deliver them.
We Aren’t Coming In Cold, But We’re Deliberately Not Cyber Experts: We’ve taken as much time as we dare to learn about your current context and circumstances. We’ve analyzed the material we’ve received that defines the world you operate in.
It’s Proven: We’ve deployed this to considerable effect over the last 3-4 decades with incredible clients and challenges worldwide.
The No Agenda Agenda -
Conversations are the order of the day.
Some Principles:
You Don’t Need To Prep: We don’t ask that you prepare too much (if anything) for this workshop. As mentioned, we’ve done everything needed to get us ready to start.
Objectivity Rules: Too much preparation can sometimes entrench views when we want energy, open hearts, and minds.
Agendas Aren’t Needed: Hearts and minds don’t work to an agenda - but our sessions follow a particular rhythm. We want the best discussion around answering the challenge. (Our Exam Question)
Note-taking is Optional: There is nothing stopping you from taking notes, but it isn’t necessary. We would much rather you focus entirely on the conversation. We will provide a comprehensive write-up after the event.
In Practice:
Throughout the framework, which follows a proven sequence, we spend the time where needed on the right discussion. We move to the next discussion when we are happy that we’ve understood enough.
Throughout the two days, we will take regular breaks. Mid-morning and afternoon for coffee and refreshments and some time at lunch around 12-30/1-00 pm
This time spent together is an important part of a bigger work program. We will be doing a lot with the results of our discussions.
We are not simply recording a series of discussions. This is about alignment, engagement, ownership and decision-making.
The Output:
In answering the question, we will emerge with:
An aligned set of themes, outcomes and intentions.
A fuller appreciation of the value and impact we need to bring to our key stakeholders. (Audiences)
A shared and more complete Vision of the future - one that we can stand behind, communicate and will inspire and unify us and our marketplace.
A serious reality check on what will get in our way - the challenges and barriers we must consider and have a plan to remove.
A better understanding of how we should operate as we evolve and implement this Vision and Strategy.
A sense of the capabilities and skills we will need to have in place.
A focus on what we need to do next to make this happen.
How we need to work as a leadership team to sustain the work and make it meaningful to the wider workforce.
The rules, principles and criteria required to govern and ensure the integrity of the above.
WHAT NEXT?
There will be an intense period of reflection and the creation of outputs that we all feel will be valuable when we know what that means. We have created this page to help explain the art of the possible.
We are very much looking forward to working with you.