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"Square Wheels" are a series of illustrations that are available in books and electronic format. Packaged with instructions and ideas for delivery, your use of the illustrations will be enjoyed and appreciated by participants. Presented in an interactive manner, the illustrations allow communications to occur, giving participants a chance to "step back from the wagon" and gain important perspective based on reactions and ideas stemming from the cartoons. There are presently 4 Square Wheels toolkits available plus The Big Book. Each contain facilitation ideas and suggestions, illustrations and workbook pages. You can also create your own ideas for using the cartoons. Unlimited flexibility! Single illustrations can be purchased from the Shopping Cart.
Consider the many benefits for using these illustrations to focus on the simple reality that many systems and processes could operate more smoothly or more effectively. Communications about process improvement and change are often difficult and leaders realize that there are always better ways to accomplish things! These are great tools and easy to use! They initiate dialogue allowing opportunities for discovery. They are also inexpensive and quite flexible in application.
Note: This is a long page, with lots of links at the bottom.
To learn about our free newsletter, see the archives and discover more about the illustrations
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YOU can use Square Wheels as improvement tools because:
• They work! You can easily develop an interactive training program focused on problem solving and designed to generate involvement and teamwork. Make some transparencies and photocopy handouts contained in the books.
• The approach is simple and effective! We've packaged the ideas for non-trainers (simple ideas for straightforward delivery and discussion). We know they work because of feedback from hundreds of managers and other users. They get people discussing problems and possibilities.
• The illustrations are bombproof. The nature of these materials makes sessions highly successful. You use the illustrations to ASK people for their ideas. By asking and involving, they will generate ideas and understanding.
• The cartoons are flexible! There is no specific, underlying rigid model, but a series of illustrations that you can anchor to your organization's key issues and opportunities. The nature of the materials allows people to quickly understand the key ideas and concepts.
Square Wheels illustrations are a great vehicle for facilitating interactive discussions, developing creative problem solving skills and for improving communications among people at every level of the organization. There are over 300 illustrations in the series with many possible uses and applications. Lastly, your satisfaction is guaranteed or your money is returned!
Square Wheels One (the main illustration):
A Leader is pulling a rope in front and the team is pushing from the back. The wagon body can represent the organization, the Square Wheels are the things that work, but not always smoothly, and the round wheels - already inside the wagon - represent the ideas that could make the wagon or organization operate more smoothly. But communication is difficult and visions are critical!
This Square Wheels One illustration introduces people to the idea of using a cartoon to represent the organization and its processes. This first illustration generates lots of discussion and ideas without causing defensiveness to occur. Afterall, it's only a cartoon! Other illustrations in the series are then used to lead the group on a journey of creativity, quality, teamwork and communications with a goal of generating active involvement and participation.
With humor and creativity, these tools create an environment for "stepping back from the wagon and gaining new perspective," which helps minimize resistance to change, making improvements more likely.
The approach was developed over the past 13 years and is practical for non-trainers. These great OD tools are used by consultants, trainers and managers in all kinds of organizations including Fortune 500 corporations, large and small businesses, industries, state, city and federal agencies, schools and universities and anything in between -- worldwide!
These illustrations are available for purchase in a number of frameworks, including powerpoint presentations and bundles of materials focused on different topics. There are even two team building games that combine perfectly with the illustrations to make teaching more powerful. In each of these, we clearly explain how the illustrations they contain can be delivered and provide ideas for implementation. Explicit examples are given to present and discuss each illustration and concept. There are corresponding handout pages you reproduce as needed from pdf files.
The tools are easy to use:
People will walk away from your presentation with ideas, energy and ownership!
(click here to see th e products including the powerpoint files)
Sold worldwide for over 13 years, these are proven tools for leading to better communications and organizational development. And because of their "cartoon" nature, they are bombproof and make sessions highly engaging and successful. You use the illustrations to ASK people for their ideas. By asking and involving, they will generate ideas and understanding. Click Here to see what most commonly happens to people when first exposed to Square Wheels Click Here to see a client user's session summary notes (posted herein with permission)
Click here to go to a page dedicated to Scott's thinking on Scott's best writing on Change and Square Wheels: "Teaching the Caterpillar to Fly"
FREE Newsletter of Square Wheels Tips, Ideas for Team Facilitation Scott is a consistently top-ranked presenter on change and leadership. Absolutely, the Best Value in Retreats and Conferences!! (See Why!) About Presentations and Materials Victor Pang's Really Cool Square Wheels Animation - A Hoot!! Shortcuts and explanations about our facilitation and team building products for -
The Process of Using Square Wheels:
Click below to play with the main themes of the illustration
Square Wheels One - Interactive -- a place to learn
Thoughts on Using Square Wheels® for Team Meetings
from the Square Wheels Newsletter, Issue 2 - July 30, 1999
Testimonials on Square Wheels
next on The Tour
Consultants
Educational users
Trainers
Managers
Making Money with PMC's products
Interested in publishing your training materials online? Check out eTrainingMaterials
Resources - all sorts of Stuff! Go to Main Resource Page
including but not limited to:
Some Business Development Links
Scott's Writings and Articles
including exercises, surveys, Gack recipes, song lyrics and other support stuff
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Square Wheels ® illustrations are protected by copyright. Images cannot be downloaded without specific permission.
Square Wheels ® is a registered servicemark of Performance Management Company
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