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Our
History and Philosophy
A Unique Set Of Experiences Shapes Our Facilitation Style & Philosophy
Robert Zadek founded Macro Thinking Inc. in 1988. His professional experience
prior to and following founding of the company provide our clients with
a unique combination of skills and business background. These skills shape
our corporate philosophy and offer a non-traditional approach to our work.
A Past Rooted In Communications
Robert Zadek began his career as a writer and producer of Multi-Media
video and slide shows for the Hi-Tech, Real Estate and Finance industries
for clients like, Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Bank of America. Here he
developed important skills in communication and team project work, both
of which are important to the success of a CollaborWriting session. Some
areas where communication plays a role are:
- Before a project, we carefully
interview the client to identify core objectives that will form
the basis for any project. Those objectives, in turn, drive the
development of the process template. Knowing what questions to
ask and to whom are essential communication skills that contribute
to a successful project.
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- During a session, effective listening
and communication skills are applied throughout. For instance
teaching and writing are almost always involved in the design
and facilitation of a session.
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- After a session has transpired,
the process-template (agenda) based output is most likely in a
form that will effectively communicate the outcomes. If, however,
additional clean-up or organization of the information is necessary,
written communication skills are required.
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A Consulting and Training Background In Creativity Enhanced
By Technology
Macro Thinking, Inc. began in 1988, consulting on the training and application
of IdeaFisher software, a stand-alone brainstorming package designed for
creative problem-solving. Eventually this led to the development of 3
day-long creativity and innovation courses for A.T.& T., Bell Labs
and Merck Pharmaceutical. In addition we were called upon to design and
lead several ideation oriented sessions for clients like, Merck, Johnson
& Johnson, Lever Brothers, Nestles Foods, Kraft General Foods, Block
Drug, Pfizer, Shearing Plough, Warner Lambert and Sony Corporation of
America. Several important learnings from that experience contribute to
our capability facilitating CollaborWriting sessions:
IdeaFisher is a very "conceptual" tool that, to be used effectively
requires an understanding of the fundamentals of creative problem-solving
and training in the use of a software program. Early on, we learned the
balance that is required to shift back and forth between training in and
use of software and conceptual thinking. This balance is an important
component in effectively facilitating CollaborWriting sessions because
here, too, complex business concepts and problems are engaged with the
aid of computers and groupware.
- Innovation work involves pushing
out beyond the boundaries of convention. Often this realm of the
unfamiliar can challenge the current state and, in the minds of
some, threaten the status quo. This can be an environment of dissenting
opinion, contrasting ideologies and discomfort. Creating a "safe
place" for all opinions to be voiced and heard, novel ideas
to be formed and conclusions to be acted upon is the primary reason
we sought out groupware-based technologies for collaboration.
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- Creative problem-solving and in
particular, brainstorming has a rhythm and pace that is unique.
The "tacit" knowledge required to effectively read a
group, monitor the pace and maintain momentum can be gained only
through experience. This experience in creative problem solving
enhances our abilities to facilitate traditional business planning,
focus groups or opinion-exchange sessions as well.
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- Breakthrough thinking often requires
asking the right question in just the right way. Conversely, if
the questions are posed inappropriately or without careful attention
to subtle detail they can lead a group in the wrong direction
and to unintended outcomes. Years of experience with crafting
"trigger" questions increase the chances that participants
will attain useful insight straightaway.
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Significant Experience With Traditional Collaborative Techniques
In 1990/1991 many of our clients requested us to facilitate decision-oriented
business planning sessions. We then received training in and facilitated
many traditional or paper-based sessions involving the use of Flip Charts,
Sticky Dots, Post-Its™, Breakout Rooms & Teams, Process/Agenda Development,
Timekeeping, Scribing, Silent Brainstorming, Multi-Voting, Nominal Group
Technique, Fishbones, Forced Pairing, Affinity Diagramming, Process Mapping
and other elements common to then contemporary practices of facilitation.
This experience preceded our work with GDSS (Group Decision Support Systems)
and hence improved CollaborWriting in the following ways:
- Often we work with other consultants
(internal or external) whose basis of experience in collaborative
practice (either as participants or facilitators) is rooted in
paper-based techniques. Many of the same principals apply to CollaborWriting,
but some are different. Knowing these similarities, differences
and the lexicons common to both facilitates a leveraged melding
of technique and style.
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- In longer sessions, we often break
up the activities such that some are accomplished using "non-computer
based" techniques. As an example: Teams huddled around a
flip-chart working out a process map can energize or bring life
to ideas and opinions previously shared and evaluated using the
networked computers.
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- Sometimes CollaborWriting is done
in preparation for a "next phase" with a different facilitator
altogether who plans on using paper-based techniques for the duration
of the project. To effectively "hand-off" the CollaborWriting
output, a background in traditional methods is essential.
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A
Pioneer In The Use And Deployment Of GDSS In Major Corporations
In 1992 our interest in the application of technology to enhance and accelerate
group process led us to an association with the early developers of Group
Decision Support Systems. As we gained an understanding of this breakthrough
technology, we began to integrate the application and training for use
of GDSS into our consulting practice.
Like many of the early practitioners with limited field experience, we
made assumptions. Many of those assumptions have since proved to be accurate.
However, some were incorrect. Extensive trial, error and networking with
others in the field, was the only way to weed out inappropriate use and
build a repertoire of "best practices".
After over 12 years facilitating hundreds of sessions to thousands of
participants, we have amassed a knowledge base about the medium that no
amount of training can duplicate.
A Full-time Job With A Diversity Of Experience
CollaborWriting is what we do. It is our conviction that to be effective
with this medium requires continual practice. We also feel strongly that
to legitimately offer this as a consulting service or train others we
must have a diverse background in many business settings.
We generally do not consider ourselves to be content experts. Content
expertise, however, is rarely a barrier to the development of effective
process. What is important is to have a diversity of process experience
in many industries working with a multitude of disciplines and to be able
to cross-reference best practices and incorporate those that are most
effective.
Web-Based
CollaborWriting Revolutionized Our Practice In 1999
We continually seek out improved technologies for collaboration, consensus
building and facilitated business planning. In 1999 GDSS became available
via the World Wide Web and can now be purchased from application service
providers (ASPs). No longer tied to a local area network, our practice
and processes have evolved to deliver even greater efficiencies with ubiquitous
access anywhere in the world. A recent 2-day virtual meeting had 15 people
in New Jersey, one person from NYC, one person from Florida, one person
from London, one person from Tokyo and was facilitated from our offices
in California! As we discover new ways to improve collaborative outcomes,
we are dedicated to incorporate those practices into our work. With increasing
bandwidth, the future holds great promise.
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