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APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY for STRATEGIC PLANNING

16-20 June 2014 London, UK

With Tony Silbert and David Shaked

ABOUT APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY (AI) STRATEGIC PLANNING Organisations today are faced with an ever increasing rate of change. This requires a different approach to strategy development. An approach based on organisational agility, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities, and decision making at every level that aligns with the strategic direction of the organisation. It is well known that people are more committed to decisions and actions in which they have been involved - including the development and implementation of strategies and plans for an organisation. Appreciative Inquiry Strategic Planning (AISP) offers an alternative to traditional strategic planning and has produced excellent results in industry, non-profit organisations, communities, universities and governmental bodies. AISP is a high involvement process that engages the entire organisation in meaningful dialogues to create a shared and energising plan for the future of the organisation, a plan that each person is committed to, and in which everyone understands how their own work contributes to the success of the whole. This course is experience-based and will include practical exercises in addition to theory presentations. Take your knowledge and experience in the area of AI to the next level by learning how to apply the AI principles, models and practices to strategic planning. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN This in-depth workshop will cover both the theory and practice of Appreciative Inquiry Strategic Planning. Workshop participants will learn how to:

Adapt, set up and facilitate appreciative strategic planning processes with your clients (e.g. SOAR)

Build internal capacity by training and working with internals to carry the work forward

Stimulate innovation, creativity and collaboration to help the organisation change and develop

Minimise resistance to change and maximise support and energy for moving forward by combining an AI summit in the AISP process

Use AISP to build or strengthen relationships within and between units and, when appropriate, with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders

Align organisational elements to support the strategic direction (may include structure, systems, processes, policies and culture)

Shift from “creating a plan” to an ongoing “process of planning, executing and adapting” Developed over several years, this workshop uses an experience-based model that prepares leaders and managers to use AI in developing and executing their organisations’ strategies and plans. It also supports AI consultants working with clients on strategic planning and other large-scale change interventions.

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ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Tony Silbert, MSOD, is a co-founder of Spartina Consulting and has 20 years of experience in organisational development, change leadership consulting, training design and delivery. Tony’s areas of expertise include strengths-based and participatory approaches to large-scale change, strategic planning, organization design, innovation, and collaboration. He works with private and public sector organizations in a variety of industries, in the US and abroad, including healthcare, finance, government, pharma, international development, IT, non-profit, and social enterprise and sustainability.

He earned his Master of Science degree in organization development from American University/NTL Institute. Tony is an adjunct professor at Providence College, teaching the MBA capstone, “Strategic Management”.He is a partner and board member of Social Venture Partners of RI, and on the board of A Place to Grow and was selected as a “40 under 40” business leader in Rhode Island (2006). He co-authored the book Healing Conversations Now: Enhancing Relationships with Elders & Dying Loved Ones (with Joan Chadbourne, ©2011 Taos Institute), which he teaches at Brown University Medical School and the University of Rhode Island/Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). He has been a guest lecturer at George Washington University and Georgetown, and has led numerous training sessions on positive approaches to planning and change.

Past and current clients include Allstate, Novartis, American Red Cross, MetroHealth System, Bell Canada, American Express, US Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for International Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, RI Dept. of Education, Habitat for Humanity, US Immigration and Naturalization Service, Sprint-Nextel, Mellon Bank, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Social Security Administration, Neighborhood Centers Inc., YMCA, DC Sustainable Business Network, and Department of Treasury.

David Shaked, MBA, David has 18 years of practical experience and a strong track record with organisations such as Johnson & Johnson, Intel, 3M and IBM. He has worked all across Europe, the USA, Middle East & Asia.

David is an Appreciative Inquiry certified trainer and practitioner by NTL and a full member of NTL. He has trained NTL’s advanced AI workshops in the US and Europe. He practices AI professionally and personally.

David's expertise lies in applying strength-based approaches to business improvement tools in a practical and approachable way to solve business challenges in sales, marketing, finance, customer services, logistics/distribution and human resources. He has developed a unique approach to business process improvement combining Strength-based approaches to change with proven analytical and delivery tools such as Lean Thinking and Six Sigma. As part of this he wrote the book ‘Strength-based Lean Six Sigma: Building Positive and Engaging Business Improvement’. David has led and facilitated strategic planning processes with several organisations using both traditional approaches as well as strength-based approaches.

David established Almond Insight in 2008 and has worked with companies and organisations such as Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Lifescan, the UK’s NHS, Howard Tenens, Lyle & Scott, Carmignac-Gestion, Shelter, Southern Rail, Brunel University, Canterbury Christchurch University and VACA.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Prerequisite – Participation in an AI Foundations course or approved alternative with faculty approval. Venue: Linden House, Upper Mall, London, W6 9TA

Participation Fees

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This workshop will have a rising schedule of fees from £850 to £1500 please register early to benefit from the lowest registration fee possible. Only fully-paid registrations will be able to enjoy reduced fees.

Fees will cover training, materials and lunches. Accommodation is not included.

To register to the workshop: Go to:http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/event/8896679207.

Credit cards are accepted and payment is expected in full at the time of registration.

Refunds/Cancellation: 100% refund if cancelled before 2nd May 2014. 50% refund if cancelled before 26th May 2014 no refunds will be given for cancellation after 26

th May 2014. If we cancel the workshop for any

reason 100% refund will be given.

For questions, please contact David Shaked on: info@almond-insight.com or +44 (20) 8994 2720