A New Day
Economic Development efforts nationally and globally are increasing focus and energies on the creation, retention, and growth of a world-class workforce. With a commitment to create a globally competitive workforce the Oklahoma Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development has taken a powerful step forward by integrating Oklahoma's workforce and economic development efforts.
The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission has a long history of matching jobs and workers. They do this by referring workers to training opportunities, enhancing work skills that meet market needs, along with promoting research about the labor force to improve economic development decisions. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is innovating how a state grows existing businesses, attracts new businesses and promotes the availability of a skilled workforce. Through the efforts of these two organizations in partnership with the private sector, Oklahoma is getting noticed.
With the goal of maximizing wealth-creation for businesses, individuals, and communities throughout Oklahoma both organizations knew there were many new opportunities yet to be realized. They also knew that integrating cultures, processes, networks, and endeavors of ODOC and OESC would be challenging. Calling on their partnership with SpiritBank, ODOC selected SpiritBank Business Resource Center Strategic Partner, Sean Griffin of Vizalution to design a graphically facilitated collaboration workshop.
The goal of achieving a shared vision, enhancing collaboration, supporting team development and setting action plans was set by the team. Sean moved forward with designing a modified Business Game Plan process as a way to create a solid foundation to grow and integrate ODOC and OESC. The Business Game Plan process allows participants to take small steps in a way that supports trust building. Participants actually "see" what they really mean through the integration of live high-speed illustrations while simultaneously being facilitated through complex group dynamics and strategic processes.
"The beauty of the Business Game Plan process is that key issues and goals are brought to light very quickly. With ODOC and OESC it was important to set a collaborative/positive tone for the integration of these two organizations. This meant getting everyone on the same page, bought in, and collaborating as a team from the get-go. We were able to accomplish this and more within a few hours, versus days"
said Ted Cundiff, President of the SpiritBank Business Resource Center.
Creating a Business Game Plan
On December 1, 2005 the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission teams were graphically facilitated through the following Business Game Plan strategic process:
Setting Ground Rules for the Day
- Focus on what can be done
- No idea is a bad idea
- It is okay to disagree
- Remain open to differences
- What Box?
- Additional ground rules added by participants
Where Are We?
- Focus on Oklahoma's current workforce programs and economic development programs
- Focus on connecting current activities and identifying separate activities
Where Do We Want To Go?
- As a team working together where do we want to go?
- Think-out-of-the-box
- Visions of a competitive Oklahoma workforce and economic development
How Do We Get There?
- As a team what do we need to do to get to where we want to go?
Action Plan – 1 week, 1 month, 6 month timeline
- Setting realistic/measurable goals with specific due dates
- Enrolling champions, identifying teams, and team next steps
- Leaving with goals and objectives set
- Setting following up meetings on the spot
- Creating shared vision
Jon Brock, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission stated, "In the last 20 years of work in the public and private sector I have never experienced a facilitated meeting that maximized people's time and the power of collective wisdom as in this meeting."
Maximizing Oklahoma's Workforce Advantage
Integrating workforce and economic development activities into one coordinated effort is paying off through a strengthened team working for the betterment of Oklahoma. "Sean's graphically facilitated Game Plan process has accelerated our ability to create a shared vision, develop teams, and motivate collaborative action," said Kathy Taylor, Former Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Tourism.
With a dynamic strategic plan and a drive to grow the economy ODOC and OESC are working with Oklahoma leaders, along with workforce and economic development professionals, to position Oklahoma as home to a premier workforce in today's global economy.
To learn more about the Oklahoma Department of Commerce visit their Website at www.okcommerce.gov/index.php
To learn more about the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission visit their Website at www.oesc.state.ok.us/
To learn more about SpiritBank visit their Website at www.spiritbank.com
To learn more about the BRC Strategic Partner Network visit http://www.spiritbank.com/Partner-Network/
To learn more about Vizalution or Sean Griffin visit www.vizalution.com, www.seangriffin.com or www.whatbox.info
For more information about the SpiritBank Business Resource Center and the Vizalution Business Game Plan contact Ted Cundiff at tcundiff@spiritbank.com