Midwest Facilitation Network
(http://www.midwest-facilitators.net)
31st Midwest Facilitation Conference
Friday, January 10, 2003
8:00am to 5:00pm
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Location
Summit Executive Centre 205 N Michigan Ave South Tower - 10th Floor Chicago, IL 60601 (Downtown Chicago) Click Here to View/Print/Download an Adobe Acrobat PDF Document of this Announcement |
(Location / Conference
Agenda / Conference
Information / Travel Suggestions/
Lodging
Suggestions)
(About the Presentations
/ MFN Contacts / Upcoming
Events/Notices / Registration
Information)
Top
Conference Announcement / Back to MFN
Home Page
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(Location / Conference
Agenda / Conference
Information / Travel Suggestions/
Lodging
Suggestions)
(About the Presentations
/ MFN Contacts / Upcoming
Events/Notices / Registration
Information)
Top
Conference Announcement / Back to MFN
Home Page
8:00 - 8:10 | Arrival, Continental Breakfast, Registration, Networking |
8:10 - 8:15 | Conference Kickoff |
Throughout
The Day |
Watch for signs directing you to the on-going, interactive computer-supported conversations about the types of programs and events that MFN should offer in the future. |
8:30-9:45 |
Companies can distinguish themselves from their competition through
extraordinary customer service. Increasingly, customer focused work
teams are emerging as a key strategy of leading-edged companies who want
to create this differentiation. In this highly interactive session,
participants will learn the following: Tools and techniques with which
to build customer focused work groups; Exercises and data that help build
awareness and enthusiasm regarding customer focus and service; Models and
methods for groups to design, implement and monitor their own strategies
for improving customer service.
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TRACK A
9:45-12:15 |
To maintain a quality of work, you need to learn, grow, get feedback, and be honest with yourself. This session focuses on staying successful by continuing in business. To succeed in that way, you need a plan. A plan is not a static document. It is a process whereby you continuously look at who you are, where you are going, and how you'll get there. You need to know and plan out where you are going and how you'll get there both personally and professionally - or you go wherever someone else dictates. Developing a plan for yourself forces you to think through: who you are; what you're good at; to whom you want to sell; and how you'll attract your customers. Click Here for a Mind Map of Gary's Session This track will be repeated in Gary's 2:30pm session.
A break is included during this session.
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TRACK B
9:45-12:15 |
by Drew Howick
& Jeff Hanan
This session is based on the premise that when organizations need to create and implement significant changes quickly, they have to use methods that involve everyone who is impacted by the desired outcome. The session focuses on the principles, methods, and benefits underlying whole systems change, with a focus on the facilitation methods and considerations when working with large groups of participants in order to create rapid change. This track will be repeated in Drew's & Jeff's 2:30pm
session. A break is included during this session.
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Lunch, Networking, Etc. |
1:00-2:30 |
by Alex L. Goldfayn
This session provides an entertaining look back at the 1990s, technology's
golden era, and three important (and controversial) trends that Alex sees
taking shape in the world of business technology. This lively, interactive
program will examine the latest technology trends and their effects on
the audience's lives, work, and companies. Topics to be discussed
in the program include: why IT professionals (both internal and outsourced)
need to be as good with people as they are with technology; and why technology
has been equal parts a bane and a boon despite the media's daily reports
to the contrary.
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2:30-5:00 |
This track is repeated from Gary's 9:30am session. A
break is included during this session.
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2:30-5:00 |
by Drew Howick
& Jeff Hanan
This track is repeated from Drew's & Jeff's 9:30am session.
A break is included during this session.
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5:00 | Wrap Up, Door Prizes, Adjourn |
For This Conference ![]() |
This Facilities for the 31st Midwest Facilitation Conference are provided by the Summit Executive Centre, 205 N Michigan Ave, South Tower - 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, http://www.summitchicago.com | |
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Since 1993, Nightingale-Conant (Niles, Illinois) has been a most significant contributing sponsor to MFN providing the vast majority of door prizes. Nightingale-Conant is the largest producer and distributor of instructional and motivational audio and video tapes for Personal and Business Development, Wealth Building, Sales, Mind Technology, Health & Wellness and Spiritual Growth. Nightingale-Conant also provides Coaching Services and has a full-service Speakers' Bureau. Please visit their website at: http://www.nightingale.com | |
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Since 1993, University Associates, has been another significant sponsor and supporter of MFN activities, providing products and a number of high-value door prizes, such as tuition-free seats in their workshops. Please visit their website at: http://www.universityassociates.com | |
Conference Fees | $100.00 per participant on or before January 6th
(Early
Registration Discount)
$120.00 per participant after January 6th $120.00 per participant at the door (no guarantee of availability) Fee includes Conference, Materials, Continental Breakfast & Lunch.
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5 Ways to Register | Click
Here to go to Registration Information Page
Phone: (773)-463-2288 - During the recording press the "2" key. Please announce 'MFN Conference Registration', your company name, and the name, phone # and payment information of each registrant. Fax: (773)-463-9322 - Fax completed registration form with payment information for each registrant. E-Mail: register@midwest-facilitators.net - E-mail completed registration form with payment information and subject: 'MFN Conference Registration'. Snail-mail: Mail completed registration form with payment information to: MFN c/o Jordan-Webb, 2656 W Montrose Ave, Suite 110, Chicago, IL 60618. On-Site: Registration and payment ($120.00) on-site is
subject to availability. No guarantee without pre-registration.
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On-Line Information | Chicago, IL Information Websites:
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Meals | Continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon
snack are included in the Conference fee.
Participants with special dietary needs contact Linda
Romansic: (847)-566-0644 or
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Dress Code | Business Casual. |
Lodging | Participants are responsible for arranging their own
lodging. There are several options available.
NOTE: Reservations for Friday are cheaper than the Thursday midweek rates. There are also some special winter rates with tickets to events, but you have to ask about those rates. |
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Palmer House Hotel (Hilton)
17 E. Monroe (at Wabash) (312) 726-7500, (800) 445-8667 This hotel is located in the heart of downtown about 10 minutes walking distance from 205/225 N Michigan. Located in the middle of many downtown attractions. (ask about winter delight rate) |
Midland Hotel
172 W. Adams (312) 332-1200 A nice hotel with comfortable sleeping rooms. Short cab ride or 15-20 min walk from 205/225 N Michigan, complimentary breakfast and bar daily. Restaurants and a fitness center are located within. |
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 E. Wacker Drive (312) 565-1234 or (800) 233-1234 The Hyatt is part of the Illinois Center Complex, which is just next to 205/225 N Michigan. |
Holiday Inn City Centre
300 E. Ohio Street (312) 787-6100 or (800) 465-4329 The Holiday Inn is located across the Chicago River (north) on Columbus Drive and is about a 10-15 minute walk from 205/225 N Michigan. |
Fairmont Hotel
200 N. Columbus Drive (312) 565-6684 or (800) 526-2008 The Fairmont is part of the Illinois Center Complex, which is just next to 205/225 N Michigan. |
Renaissance Hotel
One West Wacker Drive (312) 372-7200 or (800) 468-3571 The Renaissance Hotel is about a 5 minute walk from 205/225 N Michigan. |
Swisshotel Chicago
323 E. Wacker Drive (312) 565-0565 or (800) 654-7263 The Swisshotel is part of the Illinois Center Complex, which is just next to 205/225 N Michigan. |
Cass Hotel
640 N Wabash (312) 787-4030 or (800) 227-7850 |
Motel 6 (for real)
162 E Ontraio St (312)-787-3580 or (800)-466-8356 |
Travel | The Summit Executive Centre is located at
the north end of Downtown Chicago, Illinois.
There are plenty of public transportation options available. Car pool! Use your own network! Call if you need help. We will help people who can offer or who need a ride establish contact. For directions and an area map: http://www.summitchicago.com/loc.map.cfm |
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Driving | ||
From Chicago Via I-90/94/57/294 (Kennedy or Dan Ryan Expressways) |
From the North - a) Take I-90/94 (Kennedy
Expressway) southbound to Madison St Exit; b) continue eastbound
on Madison to Michigan Av, c) turn left (north) on Michigan to South
Water St, d) turn right (east) on South Water to parking; e)
see parking (7) below.
From the South - f) Take I-90/94 (Dan Ryan Expressway) northbound to downtown Chicago; g) continue northbound to Madison Street Exit; h) proceed as in (1-b) above. |
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From Chicago Via US 41 (Lake Shore Drive) |
From the North - a) Take Lake Shore Drive (US 41)
southbound to Randolph St Exit; b) turn right (west) on Randolph
to Michigan Av; c) turn right (north) on Michigan to South Water
St; d) proceed as (1-d) above.
From the South - f) Take Lake Shore Drive, (US 41) northbound to Randolph St exit (left turn lane); g) turn left (west) on Randolph to Michigan Av; h) proceed as in (2-c) above. |
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From Chicagoland (north/northwest), O'Hare Airport, Wisconsin, points north via I-90/94/294 |
a) Take I-90 Kennedy Expressway or I-94 Edens Expressway southbound to I-90/94 Junction; b) proceed as (1-a) above. | |
From Midway Airport, Chicagoland (south/southwest), points south via I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) |
a) Take Cicero Ave (Illinois Route 50) northbound to I-55 (Stevenson Expressway); b) take I-55 northbound to junction with US 41 (Lake Shore Drive); c) take US 41 northbound and then proceed as in (2-f) above. | |
From Iowa and points west via I-290 and I-88 |
a) Take I-88 (East-West Tollway) eastbound to junction with I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway); b) take I-290 eastbound to junction with I-90/94 in downtown Chicago; c) continue eastbound as Expressway ends and merges into Congress St; d) east on Congress past Michigan Av to Congress Plaza Dr; e) turn left and follow Congress Plaza back to Michigan Av; f) proceed as in (2-c) above. | |
From Iowa and points west via I-80 |
a) Take I-80 eastbound to I-55; b) take I-55 northbound towards Chicago; c) then proceed as in (4-b) above. | |
Parking | ||
(7) Parking
NOTE: Ask garage about "early bird" rates. |
Closest: System Parking-205/225
N Michigan, (312)-819-5064; from Michigan Av turn east on South Water
St (one block North of Lake St); garage is immediately on the left; regular
rate: $18.00/day; early bird rate: $10.00/day (8am-11pm)
Grant Park North Parking Garage, accessible from the lower level of Columbus Drive is $10.00-$19.00/day. Prudential Plaza Parking, (312)-565-6722, accessible from the lower level of Columbus Drive regular rate: $19.00/day, early bird rate: $13.00/day (8:30am-8:00pm). AON Center Parking (former Amoco Bldg), (312)-861-0967, accessible from the lower level of Columbus Drive, regular rate: $20.50/day; early bird rate: $? |
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Commuting | ||
(8) Commuting By Rail or Bus | CTA Trains & Buses / Metra Commuter Trains /
Amtrak Trains:
a) Commuting: Take CTA, Metra or Amtrak trains. The 205/225 North Michigan Building is a short taxi ride and 15-20 minute walk from the following commuter Stations: LaSalle Street Station, Union Station, Northwestern Station. It's right next to the Metra Electric/South Shore Station. It is also a short walk from the following CTA Rapid Transit Stations: Randolph/Wabash Elevated Station on the Brown (Ravenswood), Orange (Midway), Green (Lake-Jackson-Park-Englewood) or Purple (Evanston Express) Lines; Randolph/Dearborn Subway Station on the Blue (O Hare/Congress/Douglas) Line; Randolph/State Subway Station on the Red (Howard/Dan Ryan) Line. b) From O Hare or Midway Airports, take CTA's Rapid Transit (Orange or Blue Lines to Randolph Street Stations as above) or the Airport Limos downtown to the Palmer House Hotel). Short walk to the 205/225 North Michigan Building. Many CTA Bus routes on Michigan Ave & State Street. For public transportation information please call: Amtrak Trains: Amtrak to Chicago Union Station; proceed as (8-a) above Public Transportation Information:
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From O'Hare or Midway Airports | ||
(9) Travel by Air | Take commercial flights into Chicago's O'Hare or Midway Airports. Rent a car and proceed as in (3) or (4) above, or take CTA Blue or Orange Line Trains downtown and proceed as (8-b) above. |
Friday, January 10, 2003
by Bruce Hodes
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There is a lot of talk about the importance of customer service.
There is a lot of rhetoric on the subject. The challenge is to actually
deliver extraordinary customer service on a consistent basis. For
many growth- oriented companies, delivering good customer service is where
"the rubber meets the road". This is not your ordinary
session. It is very interactive, engaging and based on proven methods.
Participants will leave with very applicable and relevant tools and techniques.
These can be used to build customer focused teams in the work place.
CMI |
Visit CMI's website at: http://www.cmiteamwork.com
by Gary Rush
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To maintain a quality of work, you need to learn, grow, get feedback, and be honest with yourself. This session focuses on staying successful by continuing in business. To succeed in that way, you need a plan. A plan is not a static document. It is a process whereby you continuously look at who you are, where you are going, and how you'll get there. You need to know and plan out where you are going and how you'll get there both personally and professionally - or you go wherever someone else dictates. Developing a plan for yourself forces you to think through: who you are; what you're good at; to whom you want to sell; and how you'll attract your customers.
This interactive workshop will have participants develop their own plan for success, based on the issues raised in the article "Being Successful", in Gary Rush's lastest FAST Newsletter. Having been in business for 17 1/2 years and a successful facilitator for over 19 years, Gary will share some of what he has learned and observed. This is a timely issue since there seems to be an increase in the use of facilitators - some who remain in companies and some who venture out on their own. This session will help participants examine two different measures of success:Both measures are important and often related. The first measure defines whether you are a good facilitator or not. Do clients ask for you to return? Are the clients satisfied with your work? Did the workshops succeed? These are the questions that define the quality of your work. If the answers are "yes", then you are doing a job that the clients view as quality. You will also learn to ask yourself, "Am I satisfied with my work?" This helps define quality from both your client's eyes as well as yours. The second measure - are you still in business - is a little different. Why do some good facilitators fail in business and some poor ones succeed? Facilitation skills and business skills are not the same. Quality work, alone, does not keep you in business. Staying in business requires that clients - internal or external - hire you. That requires a plan. To maintain a quality of work, you need to learn, grow, get feedback, and be honest with yourself. In order to focus on staying successful by continuing in business, you will need a plan. A plan is not a static document. It is a process whereby you continuously look at who you are, where you are going, and how you'll get there. You need to know and plan out where you are going and how you'll get there both personally and professionally - or you go wherever someone else dictates. Developing a plan for yourself forces you to think through: who you are; what you're good at; to whom you want to sell; how you'll attract your customers. This plan needs to be done for yourself and for your role as a facilitator - in other words "As a person, my mission is to.." and "As a facilitator, my mission is to.." As a facilitator, look at:
- Your quality of work - i.e., how good are you as a facilitator; and
- Your continued tenure in business - i.e., how long do you remain in business or working as a facilitator.
The critical elements of the plan are: Your Mission - who
you are; Your Vision - where you are going; Your Values -
what you believe in and how you'll behave; Your Objectives - targets
to achieve; Your Strategies - what you'll do to reach your targets/objectives.
From these elements, you can plan tactical work - projects, advertising,
seminars, education, etc. - to implement the strategies. These tactical
efforts define your annual budget. These tactical efforts also feed back
to your plan to help you decide if it's working or if you need to change
it.
This session will help you understand how and when to review this plan with colleagues, friends, and family and how to get their input, and will help you understand why you need to make the plan public so that it keeps you in focus and helps you avoid efforts that distract you from what you want to accomplish. Gary has used plans for many years. First he developed a plan for MG Rush Systems, Inc. and largely achieved it. Lately, Gary, developed a plan for a restaurant - named Miracles, which he will implement in the future. Both of these plans help guide him, yet both plans have changed over time - and will continue to change as life, the economy, and other factors dictate. Change is ever-present. The plan is not static. Review it periodically. Don't be afraid to revise it to keep it alive and current. Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Click Here for a Mind Map of Gary's Session
MG Rush Systems, Inc |
Visit MG Rush Systems' website at: http://www.mgrush.com
by Drew Howick & Jeff Hanan
|
This session is based on the premise that when organizations need to create and implement significant changes quickly, they have to use methods that involve everyone who is impacted by the desired outcome. The session focuses on the principles, methods, and benefits underlying whole systems change, with a focus on the facilitation methods and considerations when working with large groups of participants in order to create rapid change. Over the last 14 years, Drew has helped corporations & not-for-profit organizations use this approach to create new visions, overcome key differences, gain alignment around strategies, and create new organizational communication structures. Participants will be challenged to examine and discuss their assumptions about how they plan for and implement change in their organization. They will discuss the effectiveness and limitations of traditional strategic planning and other change methodologies. During the session, participants will have the opportunity to identify applications for the principles in their own organizations, and they will work as a large group to build a "mind map" that addresses a current issue, challenge, or event. This session is intended for those facilitators, managers, human resources professionals, and others who are responsible for creating, considering, implementing, or producing significant changes or visions for departments or organizations. Relying on his experience in designing and implementing system changes using the Future Search model (Weisbord & Janoff) as well as other whole system planning and change methods, Drew will help participants understand the key consideration and benefits of a whole systems approach when creating and implementing significant change.From this session, participants will learn:
Session Outline
- The key components to consider when using a whole systems approach,
- What kinds of outcomes are possible when using Future Search and other whole system planning and change methods,
- The strategic issues you can control and those you can't when using a whole systems approach,
- How this method can help large groups of people quickly identify and address critical organizational challenges and opportunities,
- How to use "differentiation and integration" techniques to establish common ground among people with widely divergent viewpoints or opinions.
- A short history on the Change in organizations
- Principles underlying Future Search and other whole systems change or visioning methods
- Stages of the Process
- Tools & Methods (Interactive)
- Implementation
- Q&A
Drew Howick is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Howick Associates, a Madison, WI based organizational development and management consulting firm. With more than 20 years of experience in the field, Drew focuses on designing and facilitating group discussions that enable the participants to solve a problem or advance an issue. He works with groups of all sizes to see that the conversation that needs to happen does happen.thereby releasing the potential of the group. Drew also collaborates with clients to develop meaningful learning experiences for adult audiences. For example, Drew worked with a team of corporate executives to design a week-long conference for senior managers worldwide. By using a variety of learning experiences and creative meeting designs, HOWICK ASSOCIATES enabled the participants to truly understand the organization's new strategic direction. Participants were also equipped with tools and techniques for communicating this strategy to their respective organizations. Drew's consulting and training experience is international in scope; he has worked with groups in Egypt, South Africa, England, Venezuela, Spain, France, Germany, Greece and Cyprus. He is also co-author and publisher of the book, The New Compleat Facilitator: a handbook for facilitators.
Drew Howick & Jeff Hanan
Howick AssociatesJeff Hanan works with senior and mid-level managers at a diverse range of organizations to develop organizational, team and individual improvement strategies and interventions. He has designed and facilitated strategic planning sessions, designed and conducted organizational climate and multi-rater assessments and developed data collection strategies to improve customer satisfaction or support process reform. Jeff has also collaborated with clients to introduce innovations such as learning maps, balanced scorecards and system diagrams. Jeff was also part of the team that wrote the book, The New Compleat Facilitator: a handbook for facilitators.
Visit Howick Associates' website at: http://www.howickassociates.com
by Alex L. Goldfayn
|
This session provides an entertaining look back at the 1990s, technology's golden era, and three important (and controversial) trends that Alex sees taking shape in the world of business technology. This lively, interactive program will examine the latest technology trends and their effects on the audience's lives, work, and companies. Topics to be discussed in the program include: why IT professionals (both internal and outsourced) need to be as good with people as they are with technology; and why technology has been equal parts a bane and a boon despite the media's daily reports to the contrary.
Strategic Consulting Group, LLC |
Visit Strategic Consulting's website at: http://www.StrategicGrp.com and tekTOUR's website at: http://www.tekTOUR.com