BCG 2009 Annual Internal Conference Overview
17th & 18th September 2009  
GLOBAL CHALLENGES & GLOBAL COMMUNITY 

This year’s Annual Internal Network Conference saw the largest collection of 50 delegates gather together to discuss the theme of Global Challenges and Global Community. The Global theme was certainly reflected in the attendees, including new friends and old, from all corners of the globe. We were delighted to welcome friends from Singapore, Tokyo, South Africa, Chicago, the Philippines, California, New York as well as those from all over the UK, many of whom have spent the past year delivering work overseas.

The two-day conference opened on the evening of September 16th. We wanted to understand the challenges that our network face in the world in which they are working. We used this time to share significant learning experiences from the past year. But more than just looking backward, we established our individual commitment to the impact that we all, together and individually, want to make with our clients in the year ahead. The conference sessions focussed on how we would achieve this difference.

David Jarrett, Chief Executive of Bath Consultancy Group, provided an overview of the journey of our organisation. We also presented some important internal work that we have been conducting on our own brand to further increase our reputation and impact in the market. This is with the key aim of moving us further towards Bath Consultancy Group being one of the most impactful and influential organisation effectiveness and change consultancies in the world.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this process that resulted in us presenting some initial concepts for refreshing and revitalising our brand following extensive research with our team, associates and clients. Feedback was most appreciated and we look forward to keeping you all informed and engaged with our progress in the coming months.

OUTLINE OF SESSIONS

The conference was as varied as the background of the delegates. Those attending were able to share their expertise, challenging projects and discuss best practice. Sessions included:

  • Whole systems and LEAN – an integrated approach: Sue Barlow and Stephen Parry introduced their Sense and Respond approach, which brings a fresh take on traditional LEAN methods. This was a thought provoking session which prompted much reflection in subsequent sessions – especially the public sector orientated ones, where big financial savings and service re-organisation is very much on the agenda
  • Working with teams: Following the successful development day on the Team Framework, Fiona Ellis led a discussion on using our framework as an integrated approach for organisations to address how they resource team coaching. We identified how teams in different situations would need different focus such as breakthrough team and explored how different cultures e.g. Asia and Western saw need for conflict in teams. Further work on developing team materials is planned and do get in touch to explore how you can contribute.
  • Working for a low carbon world: This session explored progress in the last year on developing change approaches to address the barriers to organisations tackling climate change. The survey in April and use of PACT model was described, as shown on website, and opportunities identified e.g. in USA, for using our change approaches to tackle implementing a low carbon strategy. Led by Fiona Ellis and Danny Chesterman.
  • Supporting mergers and acquisitions: Danny Chesterman led a session looking at practical ways of supporting clients who are merging or reorganising, focussing on the cultural and HR aspects of the changes. Ilaria Vilkelis, Rupert Harding and Betty Thayer identified specific client opportunities for following up, using our human due diligence questionnaire as an entry strategy.
  • Developing Talent and the Powerlab: We had a lively discussion on the challenges in finding and developing talent; taking account of international contrasts. As part of this we considered the potential of the first European Oshry Powerlab, planned for early 2010 and which can be a life-changing tool in the development of leaders’ capacity to understand and work within complex systems, led by Rob Schilling and John Watters. Resistance to Change: 7 in 10 heart patients in the USA fail to shift their life style to preserve their life. So what are the real barriers to change? Actively using the work of Kegan and Lahey we were taken through a personal journey to consider the hidden commitments that can prevent us from following through on change, led by Ben Fuchs and John Watters.

On Friday morning:

  • Experiment in Complexity: Friday morning started with all of us on the lawns trying a live demonstration of the way in which a pattern can emerge through a complex process.
    (see complexadaptiveleadership.com) Led by Nick Obolensky.
  • Exploring Complexity: For those who wanted to explore the nature of complexity and its role in human systems Nick went on to offer some of the key thinking which will be found in his new book in the New Year.
  • Leadership Development: Peter Hawkins and Marianne Tracey from the USA looked at the difference between leader development and leadership development. This is a major issue in organisations who tend to think solely of investing in single leader development. We know that leadership resides in the relationships between individuals and not in the individuals themselves. This session also focussed on the importance of working on wicked issues and the creating a shared endeavour to deliver leadership learning with a purpose.

The conference ended by drawing on the considerable global experience and practice present with a ‘Global Counsel for Trends’ in Organisation and Leadership Development. Consultants stepped into their clients’ shoes to focus our thinking on the emerging issues in the Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Legal and Environmental domains – and what this means for our professional research and practice. A fascinating session, we will be publishing the commentary in the forthcoming months. Beth Macdonald from HCD in the Philippines kindly offered to develop a website for us where these trends from our collective knowledge will be posted. Email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it if you would like to be part of this group.

TILL NEXT YEAR

A very warm thank you to those that joined us for your good company, generous spirit and thought provoking ideas.

 


 

     




 

 
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