Believe me...after seeing Open Space in action, very few people doubt the story that it was a product of one man, two Martinis and a febrile brain!
:-D Chris On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 10:32:39 -0500, Harrison Owen <hho...@comcast.net> wrote: > > > > Point taken. Coffee breaks with colleagues were the beginning. But the gin > is ready any time you want to go deeper. > > > > ho > > > > > Harrison Owen > > 7808 River Falls Drive > > Potomac, Maryland 20845 > > Phone 301-365-2093 > > Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com > > Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org > > Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html > > -----Original Message----- > From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Marty > Boroson > > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 10:08 AM > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > > > > Hi Harrison: > > > > > > Please see page three of the user's guide, where you write: > > > > > > > "it was agreed by one and all (including myself) that although the total > event was outstanding, the truly useful part had been the coffee breaks" > > > > > > I took this as the spark that ignited Open Space ... and no mention of gin! > > > > > > I will save the gin-soaked version for more advanced listeners. :) > > > > > > Marty > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Harrison Owen > > > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 12:35 PM > > > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > > Marty wrote: "So in telling people about OST, I find myself always beginning > with the story of its development ... a group of organisational consultants > noticing that the best times at a conference were the coffee breaks." > > > > Marty – this has nothing to do with pride of authorship, just historical > veracity. Open Space Technology began in the Martini enhanced chambers of my > febrile brain. Tell that story if you dare J > > > > Harrison > > > > > Harrison Owen > > 7808 River Falls Drive > > Potomac, Maryland 20845 > > Phone 301-365-2093 > > Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com > > Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org > > Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html > > -----Original Message----- > From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Marty > Boroson > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 3:48 AM > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > > Christine: > > > > > > It is said that one picture is worth a thousand words, so I always make sure > that my pitches paint a picture ... as vividly as possible ... and this > means telling a story ... which is even better than a picture. > > > > > > So in telling people about OST, I find myself always beginning with the > story of its development ... a group of organisational consultants noticing > that the best times at a conference were the coffee breaks. Amongst my > listeners, everyone resonates with this (they have all had the experience) > and there is always some laughter of recognition. This is a great way to > start a pitch -- everyone is smiling and on your side. > > > > > > Then a quick story like the Rockport one (the security guard getting caught > up in the excitment) gives the feeling of an OST event. It also dramatizes > the fact that tangible results can happen quickly, and that this technique > is being used by serious profit-driven companies. > > > > > > Recently I have also been using the quote, mentioned recently in this list, > from the Clerk of the Social Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament > ... "one day in open space is worth a year of hearings". Testimonials like > this give credibility. This quote also adds a sector (govenment) and makes > the efficiency argument for OST rather succinctly. But again, put it in > story form if possible. > > > > > > Good luck with your pitch! > > > > > > Marty Boroson > > > www.becomingme.com > > > www.temenosproject.org > > > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: <claudi...@juno.com> > > > To: <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu> > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 4:22 AM > > > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > > Hello, Dear! > > Hope this isn't too late either. Took me forever to find... > So, here is the link: > http://www.michaelmpannwitz.de/index.php?id=69 > And the "event id" is 99. You just have to scroll down. > I've attached some pix, but, as you know THAT transmission is sometimes > volatile. > > When I hear you talk about the "mood" of the meeting, it takes me right > back to the endless meetings in Fort Collins. It's a miracle that anything > gets done, isn't it? Stuff like that is deadening, and, yet it is all > sparked by good intentions. So much to learn... > > Claudia > > -- Christine Whitney Sanchez <milagr...@cox.net> wrote: > Thank you, Michael! These are great. > > Definitely not too late for my purposes - I'll be "briefing" on Thurs > morning. I'll get that compilation back to everyone shortly thereafter. > > Christine Whitney Sanchez > > > > From: Michael Herman <mjher...@gmail.com> > > Date: 2005/03/15 Tue PM 01:23:59 EST > > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > might be too late for this question, but we do have a number of > > 'elevator speeches' posted at > > > > > http://www.openspaceworld.org/wiki/wiki/wiki.cgi?OpenSpaceElevatorSpeeches > > > > > > On Wed, 9 Mar 2005 14:28:33 -0700, Spady's <ejesp...@mydurango.net> > wrote: > > > > > > Robin, > > > I, too, am interested in some advice on how to briefly explain OS to > > > clients...especially in writing. Thank you so much for sharing this > blurb > > > that you wrote. It's great! :-) > > > > > > I do find something a bit confusing though. You state: "Open Space > meeting > > > is highly structured through the capacity of self organization." Isn't > it > > > sort of an oxymoron to use "highly structured" and "self organization" > in > > > the same sentence...? or Highly structured with regards to anything > that is > > > OS? > > > > > > I'm curious to know others thoughts on this... > > > Judy > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: Robyn S Berkessel > > > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 12:48 PM > > > Subject: Re: elevator speech > > > > > > > > > Christine, I concocted this to email to a banking executive this week. > It > > > is a combination of words from Michael Hermann and Chris Corrigan (from > and > > > some of Harrison's recent musings. Hope it is helpful. I also welcome > > > feedback from anyone. Regards, Robyn. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > What is Open Space Technology? > > > > > > Open Space Technology is a simple and highly effective meeting method > that > > > enables groups of people to deal with issues constructively and > speedily. > > > > > > > > > > > > Five Preconditions for Open Space > > > > > > · Real issues of concern > > > > > > · Diversity of players > > > > > > · Complexity of elements > > > > > > · Presence of passion > > > > > > · Decision time was yesterday. > > > > > > > > > > > > In Open Space meetings, participants create and manage their own agenda > of > > > parallel working sessions around a central theme of strategic > importance. > > > > > > > > > > > > There are Four Principles of Open Space > > > > > > · Whoever comes is the right people > > > > > > · Whatever happens is the only thing that could have > > > > > > · Whenever it starts is the right time > > > > > > · When it's over, it's over. > > > > > > > > > > > > There is One Law of Open Space > > > > > > · The Law of Two Feet - if you find yourself in a situation > where > > > you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet. > > > > > > > > > > > > Open Space meeting is highly structured through the capacity of self > > > organization. Those who care, and are prepared to take responsibility > for > > > change, step up and drive the change agenda with an energy and > commitment > > > that no imposed management?driven design could prescribe. > > > > > > What will happen? > > > > > > We never know exactly what will happen when we open the space for > people to > > > do their most important work, but we can guarantee these results when > any > > > group gets into Open Space: > > > > > > · All of the issues that are MOST important to the participants > will > > > be raised. > > > > > > · All of the issues raised will be addressed by those > participants > > > most qualified and capable of getting something done on each of them. > > > > > > · In a time as short as one or two days, all of inputs and > plans for > > > immediate action will be documented in one comprehensive report -- > finished, > > > printed and in the hands of participants when they leave. > > > > > > · The meeting duration depends on the number of people and > issues > > > they put on the agenda. With groups of 5 to 2000 one-day workshops > or, > > > three-day conferences, the results are powerful and effective > > > > > > Impact of Open Space > > > > > > It all begins with an invitation > > > > > > · Palpable passion > > > > > > · Voluntary responsibility and accountability for issues of > concern > > > > > > · Connection at all levels across all divides > > > > > > · Opening of the mind and heart > > > > > > · Energy for change and action > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "In the 20 year period since 1985 when I created Open Space, it has > been > > > used in excess of 60,000 times in 108 countries with groups ranging in > size > > > from 5 ? 2000. Typical applications have included such things as > strategic > > > and tactical planning for Rockport Shoes Inc ? in which some 400 > employees > > > established goals and directions for their company in addition to > developing > > > a totally new product and redesigning their inventory system. All of > this > > > was accomplished in 2 days, and except for the opening and closing of > the > > > event there was absolutely no intervention by the facilitator (me) at > any > > > time. The people did it all by themselves. > > > > > > > > > > > > In another case, some 2008 German Psychiatrists gathered for a single > day's > > > event intended to synthesize their collective learning at the > conclusion of > > > their biannual conference and further build the common body of > knowledge. In > > > all they created 236 working groups in about half an hour, self-managed > the > > > entire process and produced a book of proceedings as a record of their > > > effort. > > > > > > > > > > > > In the United States, a much smaller group (23) of architects, > technicians, > > > and executives completely re-designed the AT&T Olympic Pavilion for the > 1996 > > > Olympics. They essentially started with a blank sheet of paper, and at > the > > > conclusion of 2 days had a totally new design down to the level of > working > > > architectural drawings for the $200,000,000(US) project. Once again the > > > group did it all without outside intervention." > > > > > > > > > > > > Harrison Owen, esteemed creator of Open Space > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of > Christine > > > Whitney Sanchez > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 1:58 PM > > > To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > > Subject: elevator speech > > > > > > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > > > I have been given 5 minutes, at a meeting next week, to "brief" 300 > CEO's > > > about Open Space. Do you have a favorite elevator speech that has > helped > > > people understand the essence and application of OS? I'm especially > eager > > > for any thoughts about the relationship between OS and governance. > > > > > > Thanks in advance, for anything you can share. > > > > > > > > > Christine > > > > > > Christine Whitney Sanchez > > > Triune Milagro, LTD > > > 480.759.0262 > > > VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.triunemilagro.com > > > > > > Invoking the wisdom and capacity of the human spirit! > > > * * ========================================================== > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, > > > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > > > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > > > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * > > > * ========================================================== > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, > > > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > > > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > > > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > > > * * ========================================================== > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To > subscribe, > > > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > > > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > > > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > > > > > > -- > > Michael Herman > > Michael Herman Associates > > http://www.michaelherman.com > > ...inviting people and whole organizations into movement > > > > Small Change News Network > > http://www.smallchangenews.org > > ...linking active givers and gifted activists to make a bigger difference > > > > * > > * > > ========================================================== > > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > > ------------------------------ > > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, > > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html > > > > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > > > > * > * > ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > ------------------------------ > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html > > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > > * > * > ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu > ------------------------------ > To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, > view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html > > To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: > http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist > > * * ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * > * ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * > * ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * > * ========================================================== > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, > unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of > osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: > http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about > OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist -- ------------------------- CHRIS CORRIGAN Consultation - Facilitation Open Space Technology Weblog: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot Site: http://www.chriscorrigan.com * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist