AWAre!

August 2002

AWAre! is the occasional newsletter of Adrian Walsh & Associates. We offer comprehensive training and consulting services in human resources management, organisational development, planning and business development. For more information visit our website at http://www.adrianwalsh.com.au/.

Thought for the Day

“Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

(Mark Twain)

IN THIS ISSUE

A Most Ingenious Paradox – The Wise Organisation

Supervisor Training on a Shoestring

A Painless Introduction to BelBin

Mind Mapping & Radiant Thinking

A Most Ingenious Paradox – The Wise Organisation

“A paradox, a paradox, a most ingenious paradox” is a line from the popular song in the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta “Pirates of Penance”. The hero Frederick, was bound as a child to be a “pirate apprentice” until his 21st birthday. But alas, although now 21, having been born on the 29th February in a Leap Year, Frederick looks like he’ll have to serve his comrades for another 63 years or so!

 Business in 2002 faces another ingenious paradox, albeit of a rather different nature. For several years the management theme has been the “learning organisation” – a constant focus on the acquisition of knowledge which supports rapid adaptation, change and the active resolution of issues by all members of the organisation.

 It has been suggested that the following lines, which certainly make sense in my own experience – summarise the rather tenuous link between the gathering of data and the acquisition of wisdom.

Data                             ¹                     Information

Information                  ¹                     Knowledge

Knowledge                  ¹                     Understanding

Understanding             ¹                     Wisdom

 If it is true that the “learning organisation” is critical to long term success, it must also be acknowledged that genuine learning is actually knowledge tempered with experience. It is that which leads to understanding and, ultimately, wisdom. Yet as our work force ages, we are allowing older staff to retire at an alarming rate – and these folk are the real core repository of our organisational wisdom.

 So here’s our “ingenious paradox” –knowledge and wisdom is the key to success for our organisations, yet we are allowing the people who possess that knowledge and wisdom to retire. And while some organisations are starting to consider the implications of this paradox, companies generally – and society as a whole – have barely begun to think about it!

 Brent Jones, one of our Associates, is one of the few people who have been giving this whole issue some serious consideration. Brent’s Concept Paper on what he calls “The Wise Organisation” makes thought-provoking reading. Click here to download a copy of the paper from our website, or if you prefer, get in touch and we’ll send a copy out to you.

In the G&S musical, Frederick’s strongly developed sense of duty meant that he accepted the implications of the “paradox” and prepared to embark on another 63 years of unwilling piracy (although, of course, he gets the girl at the end). Our corporate sense of duty should compel us to do no less!

COMING EVENTS

Supervisor Training on a Shoestring

5 September 2002 (Echuca)
24 September 2002 (Warrnambool)
11 October 2002 (Traralgon)
22 October 2002 (Swan Hill)
4 November 2002 (Shepparton)
14 November 2002 (Bendigo)

Painless Introduction to BelBin
(Melbourne Venues)

31 August 2002
28 September 2002
19 October 2002   #
16 November 2002
(# denotes full-day program)

Mind Mapping & Radiant Thinking
(Melbourne Venues)

Monday 16 September 2002
Saturday 26 October 2002

Supervisor Training on a Shoestring

We previously mentioned Adrian’s recent visit to Traralgon (in the Victorian Latrobe Valley) when he conducted a Supervisor’s Training Workshop for three small local organisations which had come together to make it a worthwhile event. Costs were shared by the three organisations and we made Adrian’s services available at a specially discounted rate. The day was highly successful (one participant rated it as “the best day of my life”).

As a result of the success of that day, we have gone a step further with plans to run similar days regularly in a number of Victorian Regional Centres. This innovative and flexible approach puts high quality professional training opportunities in reach of individuals and organisations who would otherwise be unable to access such programs.

The dates and locations of planned programs for the balance of 2002 are listed in the sidebar at left. Please contact us at enquiries@adrianwalsh.com.au to obtain a brochure about these open programs, or to explore the possibility of a specially focused program for your own organisation.

A Painless Introduction to BelBin

Our series of short workshops designed to introduce people to the BelBin Team Role System have proved popular. These workshops, conducted on a Saturday morning at various metropolitan venues, allow newcomers to gain some insight into the tool and its values (but unfortunately run in Melbourne only at this stage).

Each half-day session (9.30 am until 1.00 pm)::

Please contact us to express your interest in a particular date, or to obtain details of the closest venue for you.

The full day (9.30 am to 4.30 am) sessions provide the same introduction to BelBin, but will also allow you to explore BelBin in the context of some powerful management simulation activities, including the highly popular Search for the Lost Dutchman’s Goldmine.

Cost for each of the half-day programs is just $65, inclusive of light refreshments. The full day program cost is $140 including light refreshments and lunch). Get in touch (enquiries@adrianwalsh.com.au) and we’ll send you further details.

Dates are listed in the sidebar at left.

Mind Mapping & Radiant Thinking

A "Mind Map" is a radical way of making and taking notes and organising your thinking. A central word or concept is first captured and around this you draw the main ideas that relate to that word. From each of these secondary (or "child" words) the next layer of ideas or words are drawn. In this way a large number of related ideas can quickly be produced with a clear and easily accessible structure and very little effort.

The concept of Mind Mapping was developed and pioneered by Tony Buzan who points to research which indicates that more than 95 per cent of people experience major problems in such areas as thinking, memory, concentration, motivation, organisation of ideas, decision-making and planning. Our brains are wonderful mechanisms with a virtually infinite capacity to take in, process and apply information, but unfortunately they don't come with a User's Manual. In practice most of our training and schooling actually sets us up to minimise the effectiveness of these super-computers.

The potential uses of the Mind Map extend to virtually any area where we use our brain and might include note taking, creative writing, preparation of reports, studying (on your own or as a group), capturing notes from meetings and workshops, and giving a talk or address.

Mind Mapping as a concept has been around for some time now. Unfortunately, although widely known of, only a minority of people actually apply the techniques, perhaps because of lack of confidence, understanding or a resistance to something new.

We are pleased to offer some open programs on Mind Mapping and its important link with the underlying concept of Radiant Thinking. Dates for the balance of 2002 are at the sidebar. In addition, we can provide an in-house program of one full day (or two half days) designed to give you and your staff a solid introduction to the concepts and the confidence and commitment to use it for real in your work.

For a brochure and enrolment details please contact us at enquiries@adrianwalsh.com.au.

CONTACT US?

ADRIAN WALSH & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD

PO Box 539

Croydon  Vic  3136

Australia

Tel:      +613 9870 1378

Fax:     +613 9870 1037

Email:  enquiries@adrianwalsh.com.au

Website:   http://www.adrianwalsh.com.au

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