April 24, 2008 Chapter Meeting

Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter Hosts Spectacular Quarterly Meeting

On April 24, over 100 chapter members had the distinct pleasure of participating in an interactive session entitled “Strategic Planning and Problem Solving Techniques” which was presented by Rob Tautges, CEO of HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd. What a refreshing afternoon! After all, who doesn’t need advice in handling problems – whether in business or in our personal lives. The techniques shared, including mind mapping and force field analysis, are ideas that every person can put to use in multiple ways. Mr. Tautges reminded us that we need to work on our businesses at times, not always in our businesses. Basically we need to take a step back and analyze what really needs to be focused on to make our companies better. Once you determine a list of possible actions, you need to take only 3-4 for the year and really work on accomplishing them.

Well how do you get to the list of actions? You start with a mind map – putting the overall goal in the middle of the page, and brainstorming things that affect that goal, adding spokes to the wheel, basically. To complete a force field analysis, you take a main concept and write it vertically down the page, brainstorming what works well now on the left, and what is a barrier on the right. From these entries, you come up with action items. Here is where you pick the 3-4 most important action items to work on. This process can be used for long term strategic planning, and for short term projects. Just make sure you involve the key players – get them in the room and get their ideas. Once you determine your key actions, it is imperative that you assign each project to someone and get commitment to follow through. Accountability will help you accomplish your goals.

For an example of the mind mapping technique, contact Sue Crockett, Chapter Executive, at scrockett@mnesop.org. Or for further information, feel free to contact any officer of the Minnesota/Dakotas chapter – contact information at www.mnesop.org. Happy problem solving!!!

Meeting Power Point Presentation