Illustrations and involvement as tools for improvement and change -

The simplicity of a Square Wheels approach!

"Nobody ever washes a rental car!" This is one of the critical factors in the success of workplace initiatives to improve performance, quality, and productivity. People simply have higher levels of responsiveness and accountability when they share ownership and involvement. And when they collaborate and work together to generate and implement ideas, the likelihood of success and continuous continuous improvement rises even higher.

We're fortunate to have one of the top-ranked keynote speakers in the world* with us in October to share some practical tips and tools for improvement. Presenting simple yet actionable ideas and concepts, he will be sharing ideas and techniques for improving leadership and facilitation skills and making us into better managers and leaders.

Dr. Scott Simmerman, managing partner of Performance Management Company, is the author of 5 Square Wheels toolkits that are used by managers, consultants and trainers worldwide and a consistently top-ranked international presenter. Yet he disclaims personal effectiveness and suggests that the excellent reactions to his presentations must be credited to the power of his approach, illustrations and metaphors. And he will be sharing many of those tools with us at the conference.

Scott will be presenting two sessions focused on facilitation skills and the transfer of techniques at the upcoming ATX Workforce Development conference on September 28 - 30.

What are Square Wheels?

Square Wheels are a concept and philosophy about how things work in organizations and create a focus on the things that do not work well and the possibilities for future improvement.

The main cartoon is shown below. Hundreds of responses have been captured when people are asked for their ideas about how the cartoon might illustrate issues of how organizations work. Most are somewhat serious and focused on problems and issues. Others are more fun and sometimes hilarious.

The main impact of using the illustration in this way is to generate:

* active involvement of participants,

* a degree of openness and creativity,

* a new language focused on the things that don't work and
the possibilities for improvement, and

* a sense of ownership and enlistment.

People get involved, they have fun, and they work together. But they also begin to consider the Square Wheels that exist within their work environment as well as the possibilities for improvement that exist in a way that focuses on things and not as attacks on people.

One of Scott's favorite stores comes when a participant in a session said that his organization did not work like the illustration above. When asked to explain, he smiled broadly and said that, "in my organization, we push the wagon uphill!" In addition to the laughter this caused, it also allowed Scott to make the point that they would not be changing the wheels during the session but that they would be building momentum for improvement in the future, in effect putting the wagon on the downhill slope. It is about a continuous journey of forward progress and changing systems and processes.

In Scott's luncheon presentation, he will engage your creative energies by modeling a short, interactive program around some of the Square Wheels themes. Some of the key learning points include:

* Don't Just DO Something, Stand There

* The Round Wheels are already in the wagon

* The round wheels of today are the square ones of tomorrow

* A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world

* Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy

As a benefit of attending, Scott will also provide you with some of the tools for your own use. By using these illustrations, you can tell a story as well as anchor the key themes that meet with your communications goals.

In the workshop, more tools will be shared and some facilitation and team building ideas will be discussed so that you can improve your ability to engage people's energies and focus them on organizational improvements. Your team building and innovation training skills will improve and you will certainly find many situations and applications for yo

Dr. Simmerman has been consulting and training for more than 20 years and has presented these concepts in more than 20 countries for many thousands of participants in workshops, seminars and conferences. He has been senior vice president of operations for a major retail firm and has managed Performance Management Company for 15 years

* as recognized by LectureAgent, an international speakers bureau

 

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