Thouhts on Mercy Corps' Start-Up Workshop

 

To put it simply, MC's start-up workshop was fun!  It was a small core group (of about 8 or 9 individuals), but an energetic and entrepreneurial group.  We accomplished a lot and identified real tangibles that are actually doable within time and resource constraints.  Nonetheless, the vision after 5 years delivers for MC key results that are anticipated to have a big impact both on and for the organization.  Most importantly, the activities reflected the identity and culture of the organization - I could see smiles on the participants' faces as they talked about what really stood out for them.  A few MC staff popped in and out of the meetings  - but they were engaged at just the right times to add rich substance to the discussions - a real plus!!

 

We now have a new commitment for ECB - to have squishy toys at every meeting, workshop, learning event, and conference call!!  Sounds mushy, but they were a tangible contribution in lightening the atmosphere.  Could they become the next generation of ECB tools to help build individual and organizational dexterity?  We shall see!

 

Key lesson:  keep ECB real by explicitly linking it to ongoing and planned organizational activities.