Suggestions from the Field

From Susannah

We sent the following note out a few weeks ago to the most recent Training Class and received back some wonderful stories and ideas. With their permission, I am posting a few ideas here in our blog for everyone to see and share. We encourage you to try these things (and make up your own) and are honored when you share with us.

Just a quick check in to see how you all are doing. It's been about a month since we were together for your Fundamentals of LearningConnect training and I'm curious to know if you've had a chance to apply your learning and try some templates out - or go through the full process with your business teams (or perhaps have had some personal applications in your life outside of work)!

As we mentioned in the training, we are available to you for advice on design, thinking with you about your challenges - or just keeping connected. We'd love to hear from you and let us know if we can be of service.

So without any more delay... please, try this at home (or work):


Using templates, Agendas and Making Meetings ColorFull (yes, it was submitted in color)

"I had a fabulous time in the training!!

Since the training, I have not had the chance to do Learning Connects, but have used several items in my team meetings: the fabulous colorful agenda & fun pens. I love creating the colorful agenda. I’m on a team with 8 guys. Since I’ve started using it, I’ve noticed that when they enter the meeting room, they smile at my agenda (because of the pictures & colorfulness). My guys don’t acknowledge that they liked my colorful agenda but keep referring to it during the meeting (This is truly helpful). Plus, if I don’t check off something quickly, then they do it for me (success!!). They may never consciously acknowledge it and at times have said that my agendas could be seen “as non-value added work.” Once I talked with them about the unconscious benefits of the agenda & colorful pens, they have never mentioned it again.

Several weeks ago, I picked up some fabulous pens with some wild ink colors. Before the mtgs, I plop them on the table. The guys use my pens, even if they brought their own pen. Success!

With these small changes, I have seen a difference in the team meeting environment. Thanks!!! "


Using template for Management Conversations / Reviews

"I LOVE the templates – unfortunately I have not been able to apply them to consumer research yet. I am planning on doing a data gathering session pretty soon (hopefully within the next two months), but I’m still in the process of getting my proposal approved.

I have, however, used the templates for my team meetings (to check the progress update of our initiative) I’m using the Grove – Graphic Roadmap template right now and just last week I had a 1-1 with my 2 up manager and used the ‘Tell me a Story’(it was about me – as an introduction) template and the ‘ top of the mountain’ (which I used to help communicate where do I want to go in my career) to help me guide my discussion….. It was GREAT – she asked me to keep them and told me it was one of the best 1-1’s she had had in her 20+ years in the Company."

So we still hope you'll have lots of chances to facilitate a full LearningConnect session, and in addition, try these great ideas to use templates and your facilitative selves in many situations! Keep up the great work.