Rich Berens: Minimizing Canyons

By Bud on December 31, 2007 TrackBacks (0) Comments (2)

Root Learning uses its innovative learning map to help establish consensus among multiple constituencies as companies engage in new business strategies.

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Filed under: Defining New Markets | Education | Rich Berens | Root Learning | Toledo, OH

Companies can only execute strategies through their people. In this introductory segment (download 9 minute iPod compatible video, 50MB), Rich Berens explains how Root Learning helps minimize the canyons that exist between senior leadership, managers, and workers world views as they try to make their companies succeed.

One of Root's central tools in this quest is the learning map. Root interviews senior management and draws a picture of what they hear. They then bring it back to management and use it to start a discussion about what people really mean by the words and phrases they use to describe their company's business situation and strategy. Once senior management comes to agreement, then Root repeats the process with different stake holders. With this method, a consensus can start to emerge among potentially thousands of stakeholders in a very short time of weeks or months.

In future segments, we'll further explore Root's tools sets and methodology.

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2 Comments

Cheryl Stacy on June 9, 2008 10:02 PM
Wow, what a great idea as a service to offer any business. How often is communication misunderstood on a daily basis. That seems to be the biggest challenge for any busienss to get vision across to the team. I thought it was so interesting when you gave the example of a CEO who explained something and you drew a map or picture of it and he said, "that is not what I said." A picture is worth a thousand words. I have always been interested in how our brains processes information and you are showing proof that we all think differently. To come up with an innovative idea to help companies align a mental model and to avoid canyons in the process is tremendous. I'm interested in how you market this concept? Also, what about athletic coaching and team building? Have you gone that route yet? I'm sot interested in this that I want to learn more. Thanks. Cheryl Stacy
Kelly Darr on June 12, 2008 8:18 AM
Hello Rich, Your company expanding seems like a great idea, here in the United States and in Europe. However before you expand into these areas you will want to make sure that you do research. Without doing good research the expansion may not be as successful as you may have wanted it to be. To help you with this process there are some steps you should take to help you though this process. The first step you should look into is what region has the characteristics that are necessary for the business to succeed in. You have to think about what your product is and where is the best place to sell it. You will also want to look at population trends in different cities. Every year magazines list some of the best cities for businesses both big and small. A small business in a good growing city can turn into a big business. Once you start narrowing down your targeted areas you will also want to see where your competition is at. When you do find an area that you want you will need to continue the research. You will need to see what the rules and regulations for your business are going to be. What would it cost you to do business in this city or country? Once you have all this figure out you will need to find a site to do your business in. Depending on what your business is, depends on what the criteria you need for your business. Some of it may include raw material, suppliers, labor, transportation and customer. From here you should have a great location for your business. This can be a very time consuming processes. However if you want your business to succeed this is something that needs to be done. Thanks, Kelly Darr

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