CEOFlow event v2

Page history last edited by Chris Dawson 1 yr ago

From Chris Dawson - see PPT agenda in images/files

To Do content for workshop 1st draft:

  • Culture polarities checklist in more neutral language, i.e. instead of 'controlling/open', 'structured/unstructured'
  •  'Central thesis' formal presentation
  • Prompts/format for 'as is' and 'to be' exercise
  • Brainstorm list of implementation actions
  • Couple case studies

 

 Should have current issues to work through

* Identify current sources of stress/frustration  (prompted by a specific theme or topic)

* Workshop solutions/ideas (come up with a bananas version and orange version)

* Speaker / case studies

* Share solutions

Facilitators/instigators (call on people - how would you handle it?

 

Suggestions:
- email the group materials beforehand (diagrams, etc)
- pick a question that gets to the core of what you want to talk about and ask each person to come up with specific examples (they can do it on the drive up)
- call a couple of guys a day before the event, ask them if they've thought of the theme, what their examples are and what they'd like to talk about.  You'll probably get feedback that will refine what you present
- during the discussion, have a couple of formats ready to mix things up.  One person gives a case study, second person makes the case pro, third person makes a case con, group debates. OR: person A gives a case study, person B acts as a Board member, person C is his VP.  Run through various scenarios and see how people react.  the group will keep things realistic
- the more I think of this, the more I'm seeing this fit into a 'case study' format (or at least part of it).  I bet you could find some interesting formats on the Harvard B-school site, or by talking to B-school grads.

 

 
I really like the fundamental premise of what you're driving at.  It gets to the core of the control vs collaboration dynamic.  It's also critical to get it right - especially in a startup - because it can make a huge impact.
- I think we got a bit sidetracked by the word "authentic".  Several people mentioned that it wasn't a good word.  It's really important we get the focus right or we'll have to work through semantics as a group, which is a pain.
- I really liked the diagrams and lists that you put together.  
- my feeling is that, at least to start with, we needed one sub-topic or a case study to talk about that made these issues concrete. Tony was good enough to share some of his frustrations, but none of us really jumped in and tried to help.  That was a shame.  Here is what I would have loved to see: Tony comes up with a real-life situation he's facing.  We write the options on the board.  Control vs flow. Power vs openness.  We discuss the specific pro's and con's of each.  For example: "I'll tell my Board that the VP Marketing is weak." Pro: you have flow. Con: Board will start jumping on my head to replace him.  Discussion ensues with Aaron as the moderator.
- speaking of which, I think you should have picked on specific people for participation. Aaron: "OK so Tony just gave an example.  Dan, how would you handle the situation...  OK, that's Dan's opinion. Steven, what do you think the pro's and con's of that are?  Steven, would how many times have you taken your own advice..."  You know, maybe be a bit up-front and challenge people's statements.  That's very businesslike and still really productive.
- try to be the devil's advocate at times. It'll make you look less one sided and more of an instigator.  Hey - I like that word.  You're not a moderator, you're an INSTIGATOR!  Cool!  Instigator of change!
- you know these guys (or at least should) so you can draw out their various personalities / management styles / experience and throw them into the conversation as a cook would throw in ingredients. Someone says something flow-like, you ask a control freak to give his opinion. Etc.
- for example, the Czech guy seems to have a lots of experience and firm opinions.  I would have loved to hear what he had to say in some cases.
 
Suggestions:
- email the group materials beforehand (diagrams, etc)
- pick a question that gets to the core of what you want to talk about and ask each person to come up with specific examples (they can do it on the drive up)
- call a couple of guys a day before the event, ask them if they've thought of the theme, what their examples are and what they'd like to talk about.  You'll probably get feedback that will refine what you present
- during the discussion, have a couple of formats ready to mix things up.  One person gives a case study, second person makes the case pro, third person makes a case con, group debates. OR: person A gives a case study, person B acts as a Board member, person C is his VP.  Run through various scenarios and see how people react.  the group will keep things realistic
- the more I think of this, the more I'm seeing this fit into a 'case study' format (or at least part of it).  I bet you could find some interesting formats on the Harvard B-school site, or by talking to B-school grads.

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