Business Book Club or collaborative coaching session?
Friday, April 23rd, 2010How do we learn these days? This is how our book club does it . . . it is hard to define what is learning and what is entertainment . One thing is certain it feels good, is stimulating and USEFUL.
From Jill Ruchel when she got back home to Melbourne.
“We had a great book club last night.
We discussed ‘The World Cafe’. Some of us hadn’t read it at all, none of us had read all of it, most of us had read parts or skimmed it. The interesting thing was the fundamental idea – how you can create conversations that involve and inspire many people using a cafe style model; sitting around small cafe tables, butchers paper at the ready, ready to listen effectively, take responsibility for the conversation, participate and contribute. For me the most useful chapter was that on questions and how to form questions that will open rather than close conversations (much more than just a simple ‘open questions’ model). Gillian recounted using some of the methods at her work – asking each of her staff to come prepared with a 3-4 minute presentation on a specific area of social media. The result was extraordinary – people were inspired and energised. It changed the whole atmosphere of the place.
As usual the food was good and the company better. We evolved into looking at some of the online initiatives we have been taking, like Kate’s new Facebook page, Kate’s website in progress, (stemgifts.com.au) Gillian’s website, and Susie’s new website (yes Susie’s – we insisted that it was ready to launch and she didn’t have to wait any longer). That’s an achievement in a year! I was pleased to show a new website I am working on for a client, with a groovy little character who walks across the scene. Fun! Susie and I had a great conversation about the information products she could create from her business, and Gillian and Kate pored over Kate’s new Facebook page, sharing tips and demonstrating new features.
We realised that there was much to be gained out of sharing what each other has learned. I can’t remember whether we finally decided on doing the book ‘Drive’ by Daniel Pink, or having our next session showing each other all our new online skills and achievements. A truly great evening. Hope you all can make the next one. Thanks again for the delicious dinner and the lovely venue’
* Frances was not there but this is her contribution “Just to add to the mix… here is an article on home pages – why they are not as important as we think they are”
* Bobbi who could not attend either as she is putting the finishing touches to her new website. I have seen it – and it is fabulous.
Having intelligent inspiring friends is just great. Anyone else have friends like mine?