Singapore Facilitator's Conference 2011

1 September 2011 Thursday Full day Large Group session

FIVE QUESTIONS THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING - A framework for Group & Organisational Transformation by John J. Scherer & Amy Barnes

Until recently, John Scherer's 2008 book, FIVE QUESTIONS THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING, has been a phenomenally effective framework for personal development—even transformation. But after many experiences with clients in several countries, it has become clear that those same questions are also a powerful way to diagnose and address group and organisational situations.

In this full-day intensive workshop, John Scherer and Amy Barnes are going to lead us through the Five Questions, engaging us in applying them to current and/or past clients, revealing new processes of facilitation in our work. By the end of the day, we are likely to have insights about our client, about their system, and about ourselves as facilitators/consultants.

2 September 2011 Friday Concurrent Breakout sessions

A1-NOT KNOWING: THE SECRET TO CREATIVE FACILITATION by John J. Scherer & Amy Barnes
Each one of us has a unique capacity for dealing with the unknown and the unknowable. True creativity is only
possible when we enter into unfamiliar territory where our previously tried and tested solutions will not work and we are forced to come up with something completely new in response to the situation that presents itself.

As facilitators, our effectiveness in enabling creativity to occur in groups and organisations is largely determined by our appetite, skill and courage in `holding the space'. When we risk not knowing and `trust the unfolding', something unexpected and unique will emerge, often surprising the group—and you.

A2 - TECHNIQUES FOR FACILITATIVE TRAINERS TO IMPROVE LEARNING PRODUCTIVITY by Loh Teck Kwang

It is especially difficult to engage participants in learning for content heavy topics. More often than not, trainers focus on covering the content as faithfully as possible. Content coverage however does not translate to actual learning & knowledge retention. The techniques shared in this workshop were born out of the need to keep learners engaged and motivated, and to enhance the learning and knowledge retention of learners.

We will explore different techniques on how we can use prior knowledge, fun activities, reflective techniques, reviewing techniques to help participants create meaningful learning moments. This workshop is also designed as a platform for everyone to share ideas on how to make learning more effective.

A3 - THE TAO OF COLLABORATIVE CONVERSATIONS by Audrey Goh

The TAO is an ancient Chinese term that refers to the watercourse-like flow of nature. Flowing water never tries to batter its way through an obstacle, but finds its way around and through. Though the TAO flows gently, without contention, it is energetically engaged. This workshop offers a way of conversing that is energetically engaged. This session is for anyone who has ever tried to talk to a colleague, friend or family member, only to end up frustrated, alienated, or hurt. It need not be that way! We can all learn to overcome the combative or disengaged conversation styles that we commonly witness around us and experience the joy of exploring new ideas with others, deepening personal relationships, and releasing untapped creativity in our personal and professional lives.

B1 - DYNAMIC STRATEGY – SUSTAINING EXCELLENCE AND AGILITY by Denise Wright

This workshop offers a fresh look at how to mobilise groups in a collaborative and ongoing way towards an inspired shared future and shared, agile leadership to fit with today's world where we constantly deal with navigating change. Based on insights from open systems theory, emergence theory and more, this workshop synthesises Appreciative Inquiry and Solutions Focus principles to shine a light on and amplify core assets and strengths, basically whatever works well, whilst moving forward towards our preferred future.

B2 - THE OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY ROADMAPPING (OTR) by Jeffrey Pan Seng Peng

The OTR program from A*STAR (derived from Cambridge University's T-Plan) has now been adopted by more than 200 companies since its inception in early 2000 in Singapore, as a way of helping them plan their future strategic direction, linking their business drivers with products and service offerings. Based on an recent independent survey, all the companies have benefitted from this program in many ways, for launching new products, secure stake holders' buy-in on the company's strategy or devising ways of embracing new technologies. Under the hands of an effective facilitator, company management teams are now able to achieve consensus and are more confident to invest into their long term future. The OTR has been applied to companies from all sectors, some of which are Electronics, Infocomm & IT, Industrial sales and Services amongst the others. This 3 hours workshop will introduce participants to the OTR process and allow hands on of participating facilitators to generate a simple first cut roadmap.

B3 - THE EVEREST CHALLENGER™ by David Lim OR a member of Everest Teambuilding

Designed by David Lim, workshop leader, author and leader of the 1st Singapore Mt Everest Expedition in 1998, the Everest ChallengerTM is the world's first table-top simulation for leadership and team learning. Equipped with limited resources, and bound by constraints of time, weather and other teams' plans, participants will attempt to place as many of their members on the summit of Mt Everest in this engaging half-day simulation. The Everest ChallengerTM has been licensed across the world, includes licensees such as FEDEX's Global Leadership Institute, University of Georgia's MBA programme and National Taiwan Sport University.

Download SFC 2011 Brochure and Register at www.fns.sg