Why is organizational development so essential?
"Change is occurring so rapidly and comprehensively that a system must be designed to accommodate this rate of change. Without a strong system, the organization will be drowned by the change. The organizational development process helps create and strengthen such a system, as well as to upgrade organization's culture and effectiveness” - Don Sardella
Our programs are designed to transform the culture, practices and communication within an organization so that you, the client, company, group or division is left with a significantly increased capacity to produce extraordinary results. There is a specific technology that we employ in designing and tailoring the way we work with each organization.
The basic, underlying principles of that technology are:
- Organizational cultures shape the reality within which people work;
- The perceptions people have about their workplace very much determine their commitment in the workplace;
- You cannot buy commitment or scare people into being committed;
- The most potent way to maximize performance is to create a cultural climate in which people want to be committed, and then provide them the training, skills and resources to get the job done;
- If you wish to change the culture of an organization, you must first deal with the way people interact within that organization and build a level of communication that is very distinct from what one calls normal or ordinary communication;
- There needs to be clearly defined objectives and strategies that are meaningful and relevant – not just something that is written down and filed away;
- Speaking and listening are the keys to action; and
- Have people take on projects that require creating a breakthrough to accomplish.
Our approach to organizational transformation consists of several stages, each custom designed to best serve our clients very specific needs and challenges.
They include:
- A complete and thorough needs analysis;
- A series of sessions designed to create or powerfully redefine relevant missions, objectives, strategies and actions;
- Follow-up individual coaching, designed to empower strengths and resolve weaknesses;
- Team building sessions and leadership workshops; and
- Specific projects focused on producing measurable results that positively impact the bottom line.
20+ years experience with National Intergenerational Educational Organizations
Key Accomplishments
Led campaign to promote understanding of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Executive Director of the American Constitution Committee for the Greater NYC Region
- Produced hundreds of commemorative events, citizen educational forums and widely attended conferences, and community-based, public-service activities, over a five and a half year period.
- Coordinated with over 50 partner organizations and nearly 200 public officials, political clubs, veterans groups, schools, faith-based leaders and their ministry teams and nonprofit civic organizations.
- Helped to produce 29 multi-day national leadership conferences over a 5 1/2 year period, providing educational information and presentations in Washington D.C. – involving Members of Congress, State Legislators, Law Enforcement, and community-based civic leaders.
- Recruited more than 800 community volunteers. Provided production training for special event support.
- Project Manager of the “Turnaround America Project.” Collaborated with more than 50 faith-based leaders from around the US to design strategy, planning, training, and budgeting for field effectiveness.
Built capacity in community–based organizations
- Worked with multiple advocacy organizations to shape intergenerational volunteerism, civic engagement and public-private partnerships.
- Presented at conferences and training events throughout US on strategic partnerships, community coalitions, fund development, and private-sector resource generation.
- Led seminars to articulate vision, mission, goals, and outcomes of proposed programs. Provided oversight for the development, publication and delivery of curriculum for resource development: Raising Resources. This workbook and program were used as a resource by the White House Office of Faith Based Initiatives.
- Helped Points of Light Foundation on community service projects and programs to recognize volunteers.
Supported launch of Public Initiatives for Economic Development Trainings
- In partnership with Pastor Rick Warren and Saddleback Church, served as Director of Strategic Initiatives with Michael E. Gerber Companies (MEGC). Licensed 50 facilitators, fully equipped to deliver trainings.
- Coordinated strategic relationships and developed field-based action plans with key alliance partners inside of Saddleback Church’s Purpose Driven Network (400,000+ faith-based organizations, worldwide).
Led innovative marriage and communication skills program supporting 27 organizations.
- Under the supervision of the White House Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and the Arizona State Legislature, partnered with FranklinCovey’s Home and Family Division to develop curricula and serve as FranklinCovey’s Program Director for this pilot project.
- Worked with leaders from Operations, Marketing, Legal, Finance, and State Oversight Officials.
- Supervised team supporting nearly 400 families, through public education and training workshops, to coach and develop skills in communication, conflict resolution, personal leadership, and goal setting.
- Helped organize training for 27 other organization leaders resulting in 100% certification and licensing as facilitators for FranklinCovey Home and Family Division Curricula. Laid the initial groundwork for national replication and expansion of the program, with the intent and plan to certify and license 120 leaders.
Led campaign for civic engagement with 40 organizational sponsors and 5000 participants.
- Led NYC launch event and directed the formation of eight Chapters in the Greater New York City Area, addressing such issues as family breakdown, disoriented youth, drug abuse and academic performance.
- Supervised volunteer coordinators and the development of their field teams for each location.
- Provided capacity building support, strategic planning, budgeting and program evaluation.