CMTT concludes the season with a talk from Mary Moran, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, on “Lifting the Gloom on Calgary’s Economic Future.”

Kiersten Ermelbauer writes:

if you attended June 20’s CMTT Luncheon then you probably walked away with these words ringing in your ears: Calgary is open for business! 

But as Mary Moran explained during her presentation, it hasn’t always been this way. So why is Calgary open for business now?

There’s a massive cultural shift underway here in YYC, in part fueled by the latest slump in oil prices. This slump has contributed to a 27.3% vacancy in office space and an unemployment rate that reached as high as 9.3%, flooding the market with talent. Combine these factors with perks such as a reasonable cost of living and no PST, and Calgary becomes a surprisingly attractive alternative for new ventures.

Of particular interest to Mary Moran are technology start-ups looking to fuel innovation in Calgary and create a technological ecosystem. 

Gone are the days where industrial heavyweights were relied upon to feed the economy. Here to stay are the days where industrial sectors will rely upon the protection of technological advancements to remain relevant and competitive. 

As one might expect in oil indentured Calgary, this paradigm shift doesn’t bode well with everyone, and Mary needs all the help she can get finding industry, community and political leaders to lead this transformation’s charge.

Want to know how you can help foster this cultural shift? Mary wants you to spread the word about innovative things happening in Calgary and when you hear of a company that you think should call Calgary home email info@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com. 

In the meantime find below links to Mary's presentation slides and Calgary's 10 year Economic Strategy:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U8tuMqnz1PLThKOVp4eU5wQXc/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4U8tuMqnz1PNkotNnYwTlFrdjg/view?usp=sharing

That’s a wrap, folks! Thanks for the excellent season and we look forward to welcoming you back in September. Please keep an eye out for our announcements on the Calgary CM Think Tank LinkedIn Group page. 

Change Comes to the Change Management Think Tank Community Survey (April 2016) – Summary of Results

The following survey questions and responses were part of the March 22, 2016 CCMTT Luncheon Session, “Change Comes to CM” led by Mel Blitzer and Francois Kirouac. This was a paper survey distributed to participants, the unedited results listed below with Summary statements provided by Joan Faulk. 

Please feel free to comment and add to the survey.

1. How has the current economic situation in Calgary and the province impacted you professionally?

• Positively. I promote cost savings using lean. I find more market in this economy.
• Contract terminated early – Oct 2015, contract terminated early March 2016
• As a corporate trainer of admin professionals I see: a. more training on managing change is necessary; b. less $ available for trainers and; c. less time for training
• Slows growth of business
• Fewer opportunities; need to be more flexible, broader skills but also more specialized. Rates are lower, colleagues looking for work; looked to be all, end all; more specialised skills in postings
• Fewer choices in assignments, as a consultant.
• Not tripping over people.
• 50% loss in consulting revenue.
• Our oil and gas producer clients have significantly reduced their budgets for systems projects that we typically manage.

SUMMARY

Economic impacts to rates and available opportunities. Cost constraints presents opportunities for those delivering cost management strategies, fewer opportunities and shorter engagements for those delivering change management services.

2. From your perspective how do you see the current marketing for the services you offer as a professional. As a job seeker, an employee, a consultant, or a small business owner in the public or private sector? Where do you see the challenges and opportunities for seeking assignments in the current downturn?
• Huge opportunities, less resistance and more willingness to consider changes
• Consultant: many qualified individuals seeking fewer opportunities. Personal reputation and network very important; offering a blended level of services PM/OCM, BA/OCM
• This is a huge opportunity to re-engineer how administrative work is managed within an organization.
• Fewer growth oriented opportunities; more right-sizing and other cost reduction opportunities.
• CM is seen as an “extra”, nice to have; projects reduced so CM services reduced; need to be more flexible and even a lot of hats; more opportunities for independent. Opps: mentoring; support for other CM resources.
• There’s a need for one as a consultant to adapt very quickly and into fields of expertise that are not change management, ex. Business process design, process improvement, requirements gathering.
• Focus on improvement and management.
• 1. Loss in PS, opp in training; 2. Challenges in access to training funds – opp – leverage govt grants.
• Our clients are still in shell shock/cut & slash mode. We hope they’ll shift to looking for solutions to their predicament/circumstances.

SUMMARY

Change in demand requires us to be more flexible in our offering , consider alternative funding sources, leverage our networks.  

3. Do the usual OCM models (Prosci for example) still work effectively in the new environment, ex. Reduced and stressed staff?

·         I doubt that

·         Not aware of pure PROSCI being used in organizations; little appetite for change; approach needs to be targeted and lean.

·         Admin staff were never included in the models.

·         Partly – need a greater focus on costing business process elements and quickly mapping effects of change on organization; need efficient way for employees to design the change; need tools to speed transformation and do it cheaper

·         Lack of business analysis (grass roots) now impacts the CM capability/ability to deliver; KISS principles-don’t waste people’s time; No “fluff” do it quickly and don’t do more than needed.

·         I have never found that they worked fully in the past nor do they now; I created my own processes and my own tools to meet the exact needs of my clients.

·         Did they ever?

·         Yes, every more important to decide and prioritize.

·         Methodologies take too much effort and too long to delivery benefits. Everyone now wants more benefits for less investment (almost a silver bullet).

SUMMARY

Methodologies need to be streamlined, adjusted to reflect resource constraints (move faster, fewer BAs) and to drive to results sooner.

4. Has the new economic environment changed the way you propose your services?

·         Sure it did. Although the essence is the same.

·         More need to “sell” oneself, clearly demonstrate value; need to be competitive on rates; combined services: PM, BA, OCM, Process

·         Micro-learning to enable people to learn in 2 hr sessions

·         More focus on streamlining; more focus on specific issues; simplification of process

·         Business development/marketing is seen as very negative; companies aren’t wanted to talk to prospects; formerly consulting ROI didn’t deliver so now the money is not there.

·         Lower rates; offering wider set of skills to the clients.

·         Yes and no.

·         Yes, creation of govt grants for training.

·         Not so far; reducing rates won’t bring new business because our cost is a small percentage of project costs. Alternative compensation models are too radical.

SUMMARY

Adjusting the value proposition for change management – simpler, shorter timelines, shrinking the offering, showing returns on investment, lower rates.

5. Given your experience with such economic conditions in the past or in today’s situation, what three pieces of specific advice would you give to your fellow CCMTT members to adapt successfully to the current business environment?
• CM doesn’t matter to business
• 1. Network; 2. Ensure credentials are current; 3. Wait it out, things will improve/stabilize at some level; unlikely ever at peak oil prices
• Include admin professionals in your CM processes and offers.
• 1. Define personal brand; 2. Build your personal brand and; Provide value first, then build commercial rational.
• 1. Be open to other industries and other skills outside of CM; 2. Don’t be fussy about rates or part-time roles – open your mind to a new paradigm and new roles such as BA work; 3. Be positive and be smart; 4. Go back to school; 5. Volunteer; 6. Network; 7 catch up on your reading “smarter – faster – better”.
• 1. Spend your free time learning new skills to add to your portfolio of offerings; 2. Keep your business connections alive – don’t wait until you need people to connect with them; 3. Be known for your own mix of skills to differentiate yourself (brand).
• Understand business.
• N/C
• Promote a shorter, straighter line between the problem/opportunity and the solution. Complex approaches, drawn out projects & huge budget requests will not be successful. Great topic!

SUMMARY

Adapting to a changing market: sell value, wait out the recovery and use time to develop yourself, your network, your brand, refine your offering to deliver solutions faster, be flexible and open to change in roles/assignments, look to non-energy industries.

Office of the Future: Designing Transformative Environmental Solutions

On November 17th, Calgary Change Management Think Tank members had the opportunity to see DIRTT in action when we visited their head office and manufacturing facility in south-east Calgary.

Co-hosts Julie Pithers and David Brown and a team of “DIRTTbags” welcomed us, and could not contain their enthusiasm for DIRTT!

DIRTT (Doing It Right This Time) is a disruptive force in the interior design and manufacturing industry. CMTT members who attended the April 2015 luncheon will recall that Julie (the Business Development "DIRTTbag") engaged us in a conversation about the potential for creatively transforming physical work spaces in a psychologically impactful and cost-effective approach to design and construction as an organization evolves.

Beyond the delicious appetizers and drinks, attendees saw the ICE^® 3D software in action. We also had a tour of the DIRTT showroom and experienced DIRTT’s Virtual Reality design facilities.

Altogether, it was a great evening!

(Story & photos contributed by Joan Faulk)

Pauline Patenaude with Virtual Reality glasses at DIRTT

Mel Blitzer experiences Virtual Reality at DIRTT

Yogi Schultz moves around the Virtual Reality space

Welcome to the Calgary Change Management Think Tank

Established in 2009, the Calgary Change Management Think Tank (“CMTT”) is an informal network open to all individuals and disciplines who are interested in change management.

We host network events and monthly luncheons. The luncheons usually feature speakers on topics that expand the thinking and practice of Change Management following a format of audience engagement and feedback. These luncheons provide a forum where professionals share ideas and practices.

Over 950 members registered on our Linkedin Group (in 2015) represent a variety of backgrounds that include IT, Change Management, Human Resources, Project Management, Communications, management consulting, and other related disciplines. Through our conversations we are helping one another to advance their thinking and practices in change management and business transformation.

In addition to events, we maintain an online discussion board through this blog (http://calgarycmthinktank.blogspot.ca) that focuses on managing change and transition.

Board Composition

Our Board of Directors currently consists of:                                        On Board Since

Co - Chair                           Astrid Deslandes                                            2015     

Co - Chair                           Francois Kirouac                                             2013

Director                              Imad Al-murib                                                2015

Director                              Mel Blitzer                                                       2011

Director                              Joan Ermelbauer                                            2011

Director                              Joan Faulk                                                        2013

Director                              Vladimir Melts                                                2010

Director                              Len nanjad                                                       2015

Director                              Daune Richardson                                          2013

Board Member Considerations

• Current member of the CMTT
• Attended previous luncheons
• Related work experience
• One year commitment

Board Member Responsibilities

• Monthly Board meeting attendance - (2^nd Thursday of every month)
• RSVP to and attend Board meetings
• Actively contribute to identifying and organizing topics and speakers
• Promote CCMT sponsored events to fellow practitioners and interested parties
• Facilitate Luncheon table discussions
•  Periodically provide Speaker Introduction and/or Thank You
• Seek feedback from attendees of the Luncheons and report back to the Board

---------------------------
Visit our LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Calgary-CM-Think-Tank-1800651/about to join the group, and for more information about upcoming events. 

Note: This is a private group. To request membership, click "Join", and your request will be reviewed by the group manager.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our monthly lunch meetings, which will resume in September 2015.

Welcome to the Change Management Think Tank

We are a community of engaged professionals open to all individuals who are interested in change management in its broadest sense.


We invite professionals interested in the subjects of change and transition to join us at our monthly luncheons or online for enriching conversation.

As a community we take a critical perspective on managing change and transition, one that looks beyond conventional wisdom. We present a candid and open forum where professionals can bring their new ideas and practices and test them before an audience that will provide constructive feedback.

We are interested in having conversations pertinent to facilitating successful changes and transitions in work and life.

Through our conversations we are also interested in helping one another, by sharing stories and best practices, to become more proficient in managing change and transition.

Visit our LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Calgary-CM-Think-Tank-1800651/about to join the group, and for more information about upcoming events.

Note: This is a private group. To request membership, click "Join", and your request will be reviewed by the group manager.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our monthly lunch meetings.

September 28, 2010 Lunch Meeting Summary

Hello Think Tankers and welcome to autumn in Calgary! We've enjoyed a terrific run of weather here lately, as the leaves turn colours, we are reminded of the coming of Thanksgiving and a bit of reflection and stock-taking on the part of our network.

To that end, we hosted a bit of a planning and idea session this past lunch meeting. We received an update on our recent member survey from Natalie Muyres and Blythe Butler (click here to review the slides) and also engaged the attendees in a discussion on future ideas to improve our network and enhance the level of serve to our members.

We also have issued a call for volunteers to serve as Directors on our Board. The commitment is modest (2-4 hours per month) but the reward is immense! As a Director, you will be in a position to shape the direction of our group, as well as to contribute your talents to upcoming CMTT events. Specifically, we are looking for folks interested in helping plan and deliver our monthly lunches, as well as to design and develop new offerings like webinars and social gatherings.

If you'd like to be considered for a Board of Directors position, please contact Mark Sonnier via LinkedIn e-mail. Thanks and have a great fall!

CM Think Tank Opens Member Survey

The CM Think Tank Steering Committee is please to announce our first member survey. The survey is intended to gain insight into the field of change management, the future of change management and the future development of the CM Think Tank. All individual responses will remain private. Aggregate survey results will be distributed to all CM Think Tank members in the fall of 2010. Our goal is to create a collaborative plan for CM Think Tank events and networking opportunities.


To access the survey please click here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/X8L8FKK . We look forward to receiving your feedback and reviewing the results with you in the fall.


If you have any questions regarding the survey please post a question to our LinkedIn group or send an email to Natalie Muyres or Blythe Butler through LinkedIn.


The survey will be open until September 6th, 2010. Thank you in advance for your participation!