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26 October 2005 | Challenges of Change Management in the Information Age
Northampton, UK
AFSM UK's October Open Chapter Event attracted over 40 members & guests to participate in exploring "The Challenges of Change Management in the Information Age”.
Exploring the position that “change is about the people”, the expectant audience were treated to a number of professional perspectives & expert opinions exploring effective techniques for managing change and how awareness of behavioural types can anticipate response to those changes.
Mark Hemming, responsible for the strategic development of people & processes at Festo Ltd kicked off the feature presentations with an insightful address linking market pressures with attitude & behaviour optimisation in his session titled “More For Less”. With a slick baton-change, Mark ensured that Penny Reid, Managing Partner of ITDA was introduced with aplomb.
In a reprise of the highly appreciated People Reading session delivered at the AFSM UK Special Conference at SME Exhibition 2005, Penny once again delivered a highly interactive exchange, ensuring full audience understanding of the “DiSC Dimensions of Behaviour” through involvement (as Confucius say). Participation was not optional as the delegates first completed an assessment then divided themselves into the appropriate teams of Dominance, Influence, Steadiness & Conscientiousness! An energetic education that kept a tempo for the remainder of the day.
Dr James Briscoe, Consultant Psychiatrist & Medical Director of Woodbourne Priory Hospital - The Priory – followed Penny. A sublimely complimentary presentation to the previous People Reading session, Dr Briscoe provided expert insight into managing stress in the workplace. Typical triggers for stress were revealed, illustrated and conquered with an array of slides, humour and anecdotal references that truly enlightened and adeptly relieved the audience simultaneously.
Gary Wyles, Managing Director of Festo Ltd explored the concepts of dealing with change in business. Gary’s session, provocatively titled “May Contain Nuts” compared the pressures of change to the symptoms of allergies. This unique and memorable session concluded the formal presentation section of the event.
After this flying start a short interval was taken allowing the audience refreshment, network opportunities and time to prepare questions for the next section of the meeting - the popular "Power Panel" taking a format similar to the BBC TV's "Question Time" programme.
Facilitated by Chapter President, Chris Farnath the panellists included Dr James Briscoe, Penny Reid, Gary Wyles and Mark Turner - Managing Editor of Service Management Magazine. Questions generated during the interval challenged the panel to really explore change management and stress.
Some of the searching questions posed to the panel included the following: From Chris Burton of British Gas – “Is stress the modern day ‘back-ache’?", from Bob Howard of Unisys – “Is any behavioural type more likely to suffer from stress?", from Brian Ford of Canon – “How much can an individual’s behavioural type change over time?" and from James Rock of Cultivar – “How do we avoid technology eroding our people reading skills?"
At the opening of the event the audience were challenged to identify their expectations of the event. At the close, the following were considered the main outcomes: A) An understanding of some of the processes & skills needed to effectively manage change b) Proof points of the links between stress management and optimised performance & c) How an introspective assessment of your own behavioural type can positively affect the attitudes & behaviour of those with whom you interact.
The event closed with a generous prize-draw offering a “One-day Behavioural Workshop for up to 10 delegates, co-hosted by Penny Reid & Mark Hemming” to mark the first anniversary of Festo’s membership of the AFSMI. The winner was Philip Carey of Oracle.
The UK chapter is proving to its members the advantage of participation in the events. Don’t miss out; the next confirmed Chapter event is scheduled for 30th November. Watch for details in your e-mail and posted on the AFSMI UK Chapter web site www.afsmi.org.uk of how to register.
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