Paul, I'll give you my thoughts on your questions and will also forward this message to the Open Space e-mail list as there are many others who can add value to the answers.
1. Speed of growth and areas of use The estimate of OS practitioners is between 2,000 and 5,000 around the globe. With the publication of Expanding Our Now and the second edition of the user's guide, the number of inquiries is increasing. There is a vibrant community of practitioners who openly share learnings through an e-mail list, an annual gathering called the Open Space on Open Space and through stories published on the web sites: www.tmn.com/openspace (which is connected to a site with lots of stories, compliments of Barry Owen). The areas of use are enormously varied. If someone feels passionately about a subject and wants to involve many people, OS can work. In business settings, there are examples of use for downsizing, merging, strategic planning, reorganizing, new product development, and many more. Its been used in communities to decide how to spend government funds and in non-profits to understand volunteerism. Whatever is important to the organization is a candidate subject. 2. Strategies for marketing This may seem a contradiction, but I think you will find that most of us have followed Harrison's lead on marketing -- we don't. Open Space doesn't lend itself well to selling. A common approach to prospective clients is to let them know that if they have any other way to meet their needs, use it. In the same breath, it is helpful to let clients know that OS works where there is complexity, conflict, diversity and a short decision time. It works with real issues where people want to get something done. There are several excellent pieces on talking about Open Space on the web site. 3. Is it recognized by schools? I am aware of several programs that do courses on large scale change and include OST in their curriculums. There are periodically people who ask questions because they are working on a masters thesis or doctoral disertation. 4. Blending with other approaches OS creates conditions for people to organize based on what they feel passionate about and are willing to take responsibility for. Some would say that's all you need. Once people experience that way of operating, there's no going back. In practice, sustaining Open Space requires a willingness live with greater ambiguity and less need for control. Development approaches that support people in doing that could be useful. Hope that gives you a starting place. Peggy Holman Open Space Institute 425-746-6274 -----Original Message----- From: Paul Donnelly <pdonn...@drdc.com.au> To: o...@tmn.com <o...@tmn.com> Date: Sunday, August 09, 1998 4:00 PM Subject: Quiery >Dear Sir/Madam, I have recently read Expanding Our Now and am part-way through The Users Guide. I have a strong professional and business interest in the application of processes that fully engage human participation and help to bring about change. We do in fact engage a large number of intervention activities that help foster change in the rural environment. It is in this context that I am contemplating taking up membership of the Institute but wish to make some further inquiries before a final commitment. I would be grateful therefore to receive your response to the following questions. >How rapid is the growth in thuse of OS, and what areas of business (eg general planning, solving difficult situations, building moral and enthusiasm, crativity, merging culture, business re-engineering)is this growth. Is its use expanding in any particular way in the rural sector. >Are there any particular starategies being used for marketing the use of the process which are proving successful? >Is OS being recognised as a leading edge tool for change management in business schools and/or leadership centres both of the general and the specialist kind such as that run be Joseph Jaworski (Centre for Generative Leadership) which seems to have a foundation which includes elements of quantum theory, collective conciousness and syncronicity. >In relation to leadership accents is OS being blended with other forms of leadership development such as visioning to build creativity, commitment and stretch? >I do look forward to your reply as I am indeed positively interested in OS, its application and learning the trade so as to speak for its application. >Best regards > >Paul Donnelly >Managing Director >Dairy Research & Development Corporation >Tel: (03) 9602 5300 Fax: (03) 9602 5442 >E-mail: pdonn...@drdc.com.au > >