Not only does stuff just happen, in our networked world, it often happens faster and in more complex environments. A tiny change in initial conditions can change everything.
The economic uncertainties in the US mortgage market have now undermined confidence in our global economic systems - despite the fact that US sub-prime mortgages account for less than one percent of gross world product.
Consider the strategic planning and positioning of a venerable 85 year old Wall Street firm. As the company's web site proclaimed:
"To meet the increasingly complex needs of our clients and the demands of a rapidly changing marketplace, we have refocused our business, extended our geographic reach, and strengthened technological capabilities. As part of a new strategic plan, we have begun to look at our businesses in three core areas:
Capital Markets
Wealth Management
Global Clearing Services"
That firm was Bear Stearns, which literally imploded over a single weekend. They thought they were addressing the new complexities. But what they needed was not a new strategic plan, but new skills and tools, and a new way of thinking. In short, they needed a new organizational "operating system"
That's what our experiential trainings deliver – new perspectives, skills and tools to effectively influence these complex adaptive systems.
We replace the old strategic planning model with newer scenario building. We replace the old organizational metaphor – mechanistic, hierarchical, predictive – with a new operating system based on complexity science: organic, distributed, self-organizing.
Our training allows workshop participants to test out, in a safe environment, skills and tools for intervention in these increasingly complex systems. Using real time case studies tailored to the work group, the workshops are designed for maximum learning, feedback and skill building.
We use experiential games and activities, mini lectures, small group exercises and real time simulations to work on current problems.
We expect our clients to walk out of the door of our training transformed in their mental models, ready to face the unknown future, and eager to plan for success with the confidence that comes with new tools and a new skill set.
