● Needs Assessments -

 

A Needs Assessment is a systematic exploration to identify the way things are, the way they should be, and what barriers may be blocking the way to success. A needs assessment can help determine whether change is required by organizational structures, individual performance or a combination of both.

 

Before embarking into training, we need to consider:

 

● What learning will be accomplished?

● What changes in behavior and performance are expected?

● Will we get those changes from this training alone?

● What are the expected costs and benefits of the projected solutions?

 

It is common to implement a solution before identifying the real issues. It is important to implement the correct intervention to have a successful outcome. To do so, we must plan carefully, to get the best return on our investment.

 

● Gap Analysis -

 

A "gap" is the space between where we are and where we want to be. A gap analysis helps bridge that space by measuring the investment of time, money and human resources that is required to achieve the desired outcome. Gap analysis can be used at the organizational or individual level.

 

● Behavioral Profiles -

 

In the workplace, "behavior" is the basis of human resource management. While our actions may stem from psychological predisposition, it is only our actions and interactions that can be directly addressed and directed toward positive change and a more successful organization.  

 

Understanding behavior - our own and that of coworkers - can help us communicate better and work more collaboratively. 20/20 Insight and Inscape DiSC are two tools for identifying behaviors and recommending how to understand or modify behaviors to benefit both the individual and the team.

 

● Facilitation -

 

To facilitate literally means "to make easier." A facilitator's job is to help a group work through a difficult or complex issue using systematic process tools, observing group dynamics and managing an environment where communication and creativity can flourish. Many organizations have found that with the use of an objective facilitator meetings run more smoothly, communication is more open and civil, and team members feel that more is accomplished in less time.

 

A facilitator is not a mediator, but can help leaders through uncomfortable challenges and conflict in more productive ways. Whether a one-hour meeting, multi-day retreat, or on-going project team meetings, the Alice Dendinger Alliance Group can supply a qualified and experienced facilitator to make group business easier for your organization or team.

 

● Focus Groups -

 

A focus group is a way of collecting feedback from a group of people about their attitudes toward a product, process, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or any topic. Questions are asked by a facilitator in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members. This method of information gathering can be done relatively quickly and can dig deeply into a specific area of concern.

 

There are many types of focus groups that can be designed to best approach your issue and give you the highest return on your investment.

 

● Customized Training -

 

Organizational challenges are as unique as the combination of its individual employees. The Alice Dendinger Alliance Group is in collaboration with expert Human Resource, Training, Instructional Design and Organization Development professionals who have the experience to customize the interventions that will best serve your specific needs.

 

● Process Mapping -

 

W. Edwards Deming said, "If you can't describe what you are doing as a process, you don't know what you're doing." Process mapping is a way to clearly illustrate the step-by-step requirements for a successful process and ultimate result. This also can quickly reveal deficiencies in a process and highlight opportunities for improvement. Process mapping is the first step in gaining control over the organization through understanding its business processes and ensuring their most effective and efficient use of resources.

 

● Electronic Surveys and Organizational Diagnostics -

 

Surveys are an important data collection tool, but can be time consuming for the respondent, as well as, for data collection and analysis staff. In today's environment, the electronic survey can provide fast, easy and cost-effective, information and analysis. 20/20 Insight is an excellent tool recommended by the Alice Dendinger Alliance Group for 360 feedback and other valuable internal diagnostics.

 

● Collaboration and Team Building -

 

In the workplace today, most work is accomplished by teams of employees working toward a common goal or result. Unfortunately, we are not all equipped to work well in the team environment. Particularly in America, rugged independence is an admired trait.  Additionally, many organizational structures and incentives - directly or indirectly - reinforce the value of the individual over the team. Training and organizational design, working together, can move a group of independently focused employees into a highly productive unit.

 

● Problem Solving -

 

Problem solving is the basis of all growth and innovation. Changing the "status quo" for barrier removal, better performance, or cost effectiveness, is basic to every business. There are, however, many approaches to problem solving which is dependent upon the nature of the challenge. The Alice Dendinger Alliance group can help you determine the best approach to your specific issue, walk through it with you to a successful conclusion, and train your teams in many problem solving techniques for the future.

 

● Collaboration with Stakeholders -

 

Stakeholders may be clients, customers, share holders, employees, government, other business, the general public - anyone that is impacted by your business is a stakeholder. No business can succeed without listening to stakeholders and implementing feedback into their plans and operations. Understanding how to best collaborate with stakeholders can be challenging. Future Search, facilitated meetings, and a variety of feedback collection techniques are just a few of the services that can enhance collaboration with your stakeholders.

 

● Strategic Planning -

 

Strategic Planning can be defined as the art and science of formulating, developing, implementing, and evaluating a plan to enable an organization to move forward. Strategic planning is a process –not just a written project plan – that helps management focus on the mission, goals, objectives and activities of the organization. At the same time, a cultural component must be addressed that explores the desired values, practices and behaviors, which will affect the overall results. Examining critical infrastructure issues is also key to successful strategic planning. The Alice Dendinger Alliance Group believes in a very collaborative and action oriented approach to strategic planning by getting input from all stakeholders. Working through this process can be challenging without the assistance of a skilled facilitator or consultant to generate excitement and creative thinking.