Community Dialogue © 1 What is Community Dialogue © ? Community Dialogue© is the set of conversations and exchanges that occur: Within an organization’s team Between teams Between an organization and its external Core Stakeholders, viz. Customers, Suppliers/Partners, Shareholders … Community Dialogue© creates and sustains the Processes that constitute the activities of the organization, the Projects that create and modify those Processes and the Measurement System that helps ensure effectiveness and efficiency.

Community Dialogue © 2 Surely, every organization has its Community Dialogue ? Of course!, but … For the most part they are not fully effective; even at times counterproductive, because of a lack of focus and alignment on durable values, a common purpose and a shared vision. A comparison with a gasoline-driven car may be appropriate: It is only only about 23% efficient. Of 100 units of energy poured into the tank in the form of fuel, only 23 units translate into road traction at the level of the tires. The rest gets dissipated into friction, heat and noise. The similarity with a human organization is striking. How many of our conversations actually contribute directly into creating value for the end customer, or fostering cooperation and innovation?

Community Dialogue © 3 An Effective Community Dialogue © An effective Community Dialogue© … is a set of synergistic conversations that result in creating significant value for the end user and of creating the environment which is conducive to that. Their result is greater than the sum of their parts. We call this signal. Conversations with a different purpose, such as turf protection or destructive competition are called noise. An effective Community Dialogue© has a high signal-to-noise- ratio. Community Dialogue© can only be sustainably effective if it is grounded in a set of shared Values and a common Purpose

Community Dialogue © 4 The key to an effective Community Dialogue© is a holistic (or systemic) approach This involves: Identification of key Stakeholder groups Active and continuous discovery of their needs, priorities and and responsibilities Identification of the key Processes and Projects in which they are involved Establishing common ground with them Crafting of clear content, of good communication vehicles and of a reliable feedback (measurement) system Community Dialogue© is not just a vehicle for information. A good Community Dialogue© motivates, energizes and aligns people and groups. It makes them want to work with each other. It transforms the organization’s ecosystem. Characteristics of an Effective Community Dialogue ©

Community Dialogue © 5 Can Community Dialogue© be managed centrally? The short answer is NO! The equivalent to the Politburo or to Goebbels’ propaganda machine is certainly not desirable, nor possible in the 21 st Century. Community Dialogue© is initiated and shaped by the Core Group (see How we can Help) How we can Help If well launched it soon takes on a life of its own; participants take ownership It is up to the Core Group to ensure consistency with the Core Foundation (shared Values, Common Purpose) Who can manage an Effective Community Dialogue © ?

Community Dialogue © 6 A mechanistic view of Community Dialogue © ? INTRANET KEY MESSAGES VEHICLES WORKSHOPS PROJECTS QUIZZES FORUMS SCHOOL TARGET POPULATIONS MANAGEMENT INVESTORS SUPPORT ENTITIES SALES TEAMS PRODUCT ENTITIES FEEDBACK MECHANISM

Community Dialogue © 7 People are not machines They have hearts, souls, emotions Knowledge workers cannot, in the long term, be manipulated An organic view is more appropriate But, just like a vine, or a tomato plant, it needs guidance, support and tender, loving care. This guidance is provided by the Core Group drawing on the Core Foundation (Values, Purpose) and by the Common Framework © What is wrong with this mechanistic view?

Community Dialogue © 8 An organic view of Community Dialogue © ? STAKEHOLDERS CONTENT FEEDBACK VEHICLES Core Group 2 nd Wave Groups3 nd Wave Groups

Community Dialogue © 9 A pragmatic Community Dialogue © Frees stakeholders’ creativity and stimulates their energy Is continuously monitored for alignment with the Core Foundation Is subject to the rules of authentic, yet respectful communication It Is aligned with mission-critical Processes and Projects and interacts with them Promotes knowledge and understanding Aligns and energizes Back to “An Integrative Approach”An Integrative Approach Back to “How we can Help”How we can Help Back to “Home Page”Home Page