Catalyst Consulting - Facilitation

Facilitate: to make easy; to lessen the labor of; to help forward; to assist.

Facilitation is far more than running an efficient meeting. Good facilitation consists of designing and implementing specific processes that lead to the desired objective, while coaching the participants to take them there. Excellent facilitation increases energy and creativity by asking the right questions to clarify issues, define problems and identify solutions as it moves people through effective decision-making and elicits their commitment to action.

Optimum facilitation results include:
a Saving time and effort
a Reducing confusion and anxiety
a Gaining clarity
a Attacking the real problems
a Creating the best solutions
a Minimizing resistance to implementation

CATALYST SERVICES

� Conflict Resolution
� Creative Problem Solving
� Evaluation
� Group Learning
� Project and Business meetings
� Team Development
� Vision and Strategy Development

CASE STUDIES

National Board of Directors

Client Issue:
The organization�s deeply divided and entrenched committee-led decision-making process could not keep up with a rapidly changing external environment. This gave cause for missed opportunities and threatened its future existence.

Catalyst Solutions:
1. Facilitate the Board through a process that led them to:
    a. Fully understand the core reasons they were in business, and what their
        stakeholders required of them.
    b. See themselves as a leadership team rather than a management
        committee.
    c. Identify a clear mission for the organisation.
    d. Develop a strategy for achieving this mission.
    e. Agree an immediate action plan.

Client Results:
� Commitment to the new mission, strategy and action plan.
� Clarity of thinking and more energy for implementation.
� Key individuals took on the vital leadership role to make it all happen.

Canadian Women Voters Congress

Client Issue:
In its early stages the Board of Directors experienced difficulty in bringing the Board together to focus on the path ahead.

Catalyst Solutions:
1. Facilitate the Board through a workshop in which:
    a. Each member had the opportunity to contribute equally.
    b. The �ideal organization� and �worst-case organization� were brainstormed.
    c. The current state was determined relative to the above.
    d. Prioritized goals and objectives were identified.
    e. A clear path from the current state to the ideal was determined.
    f. Commitment to action on the highest priorities was achieved.

Client Results:
� Clarity and commitment to their vision, strategy and action plan.
� This gave rise to the creation of the Women�s Campaign School, which was,
    and continues to be a major success.

Facilitation