CONFERENCES
Convergence 1996
Theme & Location
Innovation: The Next Leap
February 25 - 28, 1996
(including an optional "Leap Into Implementation" session on the 29th ... leap year day!)
Santa Barbara, California
Program
What could be better ... a bunch of high-powered, like-minded folks gathering in the sun at the charming Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara ... sharing ideas, learning new skills, pushing back barriers and making new friends.
Convergence 96: Innovation: the Next Leap was terrific. We focused on building on the innovative skills needed to create the future and how to take those skills back to our organizations.
A special feature incorporated into this event was Conference Magic ... a system developed by Don Foster Gutridge II of Synergy International to help attendees identify their conference objectives and turn them into reality. This system was designed to help attendees transform a 3-day event into a life-time of results. Facilitated by Don Foster Gutridge, II, President of Synergy International.
Here's a sample of what happened at Convergence 96:
- Jack Stack, CEO of Springfield ReManufacturing and author of "The Great Game of Business," talked about how Open Book Management affects innovation.
- DeWitt Jones, noted "National Geographic" photographer, presented a stunning view of the principles of creativity.
- Marc Marsan, of President of Richard Saunders, Intl. talked about how to "Jump Start Our Brains" and shared the Eureka! Stimulus Response with us.
- Bobbi DePorter, and Mark Reardon. Bobbi is the President of the International Alliance for Learning and author of "Quantum Learning." Mark is the Director of Training, Learning Forum/SuperCamp. They showed us how to create an accelerated learning environment and facilitate an accelerated group learning experience.
- Charles "Chic" Thompson, author of "What a Great Idea" and "Yes, but..." talked about "Becoming the Change You Seek in the World."
- Anne Durrum Robinson guided us to a a better understanding of how to use our intuition.
- Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General of the UN and Chancellor of the University of World Peace discussed "The State of the World"
We also renewed our love affair with Monty Roberts, at the Flag Is Up Farms ... Monty is the owner of Flag Is Up Farms, developer of the non-traumatic Join-Up process, and training consultant to the royal family of England.
Pre-conference workshops included:
- Charles "Charlie" Prather, Ph.D. -- "Bottom Line Innovation." Charlie is the President of CW Prather Associates, Inc., author of "Blueprints for Innovation" and first manager of The DuPont Center for Creativity and Innovation.
- Linda Curtin -- "DeBono's Six Thinking Hats." Lynda is the President of The Opportunity Thinker and certified DeBono instructor.
- Dan Poynter & Barbara Gaughen -- "Building Your Professional Credibility: Writing and Promoting Your Book." Dan is the President of Para Publishing and author of over 70 books, including "Is There a Book Inside You? the Self-Publishing Manual." (sky dives ... recently dropped in on the North Pole). Barbara is the author of "Book Blitz: Getting Your Book in the News" and a recognized expert in personal and socially responsible public relations.
There were 20 two-hour workshops providing practical, hands-on
tools and techniques,
including the following:
Monday, February 26th --10:30 -12:30
The Breakthrough Thinking Organization -- Gerry Nadler Business Process Transformation -- Bruce Manthey & Pamela Prince-Eason Innovative Consulting -- Ray Payn Creating a Change-Oriented Learning Organization: a Case Study -- Tom Drucker Reinventing Meetings: Using Technology to Enhance Collaborative Work -- Bernie DeKoven Thought Leader Forum: State of Innovation -- Robert Zadek
Monday, February 26th -- 2:30-4:30
Creating Postive Turbulence in Your Organization -- Stan Gryskiewicz Scouting the Future for Your Organization -- Lindsay Collier Lateral Thinking -- Shirley Poertner Fostering Innovation: 6 Keys to a More Innovative Workplace -- Padi Selwyn Perpetual Innovation -- Audian Dunham Thought Leader Forum: State of Innovation -- Robert Zadek
Tuesday, February 27th -- 10:30 -12:30
Managing New Product Innovation -- Tom Kuczmarski Leading Innovative Teams with Creative Storyboarding -- JerryMcNellis Metaphorical Thinking: Making Creative Connections -- Alison Strickland and Ted Coulson Innovative Negotiation -- Anthony G. Nagle, Harnassing the Power of Chaos: The Ford (MP&L) Team Learning Concept -- Rick Gutherie Thought Leader Forum: State of Innovation -- Robert Zadek
Wednesday, February 28th -- 10:30 -12:30
Innovation & Creativity in the Learning Organization -- Ian Rose Brainstorming Needs Analysis: Assessment without Tears -- Valerie Dhanens SCIMITAR: a Structured, Creative Approach to New Product Development -- Ian Wigston Discovering Your Creative Core -- Jordan Ayan and Deanna Berg The Power of Nonverbal Innovation -- Stuart Heller Thought Leader Forum: State of Innovation -- Robert Zadek
Speakers/Workshop Leaders
- Jordan Ayan, President of Create-It! and author of "The Creativity Toolbox." (plays harmonica)
- Deanna Berg, Ed.D., co-founder of Innovation Strategies, Intl. (scuba dives)
- Lindsay Collier, President of Creative Edge Associates, author of "Get Out of Your Thinking Box" and "Whack-a-Mole Theory." (loves racquetball and jazz)
- Ted Coulson, co-founder of Applied Creativity Inc. and co-author of "Journeys into Creative Problem Solving," an audio-cassette program and "Diversity," a game. (loves golf)
- Bernie DeKoven, author of "Connected Executives" and "The Well Played Game." (loves to play ping pong but never wins)
- Valerie Dhanens, Manager of Organizational Effectiveness, Nestle Frozen Refrigerated & Ice Cream Companies. (loves to buy clothes)
- Tom Drucker, President of the Center for Corporate Innovation. (likes to roller skate along Venice beach)
- Audie Dunham, President of GrowthWorks
- Stan Gryskiewicz, Senior Fellow, Center for Creative Leadership. (enjoys reading Yunus Emre, a 14th century Turkish mystical poet)
- Rick Gutherie, Supervisor of the Ford Learning Center. (loves to float on a jet ski)
- Stuart Heller, co-author of "Retooling on the Run, Real Change for Leaders with No Time. (practices Kung Fu whenever possible)
- Tom Kuczmarski, President of Kuczmarski & Associates and author of "Managing New Product Innovation."
- Bruce Manthey, Business Process Consultant, GSE, Inc.
- Jerry McNellis, President of the McNellis Company. (has spent 20 years at kids' soccer games and still doesn't understand the rules)
- Gerald Nadler, Ph.D., President of The Center for Breakthrough Thinking, co-author of "Breakthrough Thinking: the Seven Principles of Creative Problem Solving as well as over 200 articles and 12 other books on related topics. (advice to new parents: Hang in there ... the purpose of having children is to have grandchildren!)
- Anthony G. Nagle, co-author of "Innovative Negotiation Strategies," President of A.G. Nagle Company, Director of Rexall Showcase International. (writes international spy thrillers)
- Ray Payn, author of "Consultant's Little Instruction Book." (writes Internet haiku)
- Shirley Poertner, President of The Catalyst Group and certified DeBono instructor. (colors Mickey Mouse coloring books ... currently on #37 ... and racewalks)
- Pam Prince-Eason, Business Process Consultant, GSE, Inc.
- Ian Rose, President of IBR Consulting Services, Ltd.
- Padi Selwyn, co-author of "Living Your Life Out Loud: How to Unlock Your Creativity and Unleash Your Joy." (raises pet ducks)
- Alison Strickland, co-founder of Applied Creativity, Inc. and co-author of "Journeys into Creative Problem Solving," an audio-cassette program and "Diversity," a game. (loves to hang out by the pool with a good book)
- Ian Wigston, President of Ian Wigston & Associates, founder of Barclays Bank Group's internal consultancy group. (writes adventure travel articles)
Corporate Sponsors
- Novell, Inc.
- Rubbermaid
- Innovation Network