IPDMarch 8, 2021Business Architecture, Professional Development and Career Advancement Blog

Does Your Company Need More Convincing to Send You to Business Architecture Certification Training? | A Workplace Blog

Since Business Architecture is still a relatively new concept, your organization may be hesitant to commit.

Here are some FAQ’s to help you persuade them to let you take Biz Arch Boot Camp.

Q1 – You do not have the title or role of “Business Architect;” why would you need a Business Architecture certificate?

A1 – Just like millions of people who daily use project management tools as part of their jobs without the title of Project Manager, your company can benefit from the immediate use of the techniques and concepts learned in our Business Architecture certification course.

Q2 – What does Business Architecture do?

A2 – It solves problems: at a department level, a division level, or (ideally) an enterprise level.  Unless your organization is problem-free, you can use the tools and concepts in your work.

Q3 – Is there sometimes a disconnect between your company’s current execution and operational practices and its strategic vision?  

A3 – The unique Business Architecture techniques you learn in our course will help with that.

Q4 – Does your organization sometimes roll out initiatives that miss the mark with those who use them?   They create less value than anticipated, or worse, actually decrease the value for your customers because the correct people were not consulted before the change?

A4 – Our Business Architecture tools teach you how to keep this from happening in the future.

Q5 – Does your organization have more improvements and initiatives than it has resources to invest in?

 

A5 – Yes, Business Architecture can teach you tools to help your company prioritize your resources.

Do not wait for the official title.   Do not wait for the official department.  Start using Business Architecture today because basically…

Business Architecture solves business problems!

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IPDFebruary 11, 2021webinar

Using Conflict to Build Inclusiveness – Free Webinar

Register Now For Our Upcoming FREE Expert Insights Webinar

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

12pm Noon-1pm CENTRAL TIME

Using Conflict to Build Inclusiveness

Does An Ideal Workplace = A Conflict Free Workplace?

The goal is to be both diverse and inclusive, not to just avoid conflict.  During this short webinar, our instructor will get you started on the journey to incorporate conflict in your workplace  and how this can can lead to better innovation and problem solving.

This webinar will teach you:

  • The challenges of competing perspectives

  • How to move from “positions” to “interests”

Registration Cut-off: March 22 at 11:59 pm

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Why can’t we all just get along?

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Jeanette Grace

  • Title/Position
    Instructor, Metropolitan State University
  • Expert Areas: 
    • Communication
    • Customer Service
    • Employee Engagement
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Teambuilding
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Beth SchaeferFebruary 11, 2021Leadership and Strategy Blogs, Professional Development and Career Advancement Blog, Workplace Wins

Build Bridges Within Your Village | A Workplace Blog

By: Beth Schaefer    Director, Institute for Professional Development

I believe mentoring can help Minnesota build a competent workforce for all generations of workers by satisfying the workplace needs and personality traits that every generation has.

As an example, I am a Gen Xer.  According to experts, that makes me independent, innovative, and a strong communicator.   While at work, I am likely to seek problem-solving opportunities and enjoy working with competent colleagues; because of this, mentoring provides a clear outlet for me to meet my Gen Xer needs.

The Y’s (aka Millennials) are tech-savvy, collaborative, and focused on the greater good; they want meaningful work.  Mentoring fits their traits and provides the meaningful work they seek.

Baby Boomers, along with being optimistic and hard-working, enjoy mentoring. The opportunity to mentor others is often listed in their workplace needs, so a connection to mentoring is obvious for them.

So, all the generations agree (on this one thing, anyway), that we should find more ways to mentor in the workplace.

Being a part of the Village is more than just giving, it is receiving.  A new generation of workers is entering the workplace, and as much as we can teach them – there is a lot we have to learn.

Gen-Zers have plenty of skills to contribute.  Just some of their noticeable workplace traits are:

  • digitally fluent (and who could not use that during a pandemic)
  • practical (and who could not use that during a pandemic), and
  • flourish in diverse workplace settings (and who could not use that – always).

They will be seeking culturally competent employers.  Is your workplace culturally ready to recruit and onboard this next generation of valuable workers?

Consider mentoring as a rewarding step to build the cultural competency of all the valuable generations in your workplace.

Generation traits and needs from Hobsons Associates.

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Beth SchaeferJanuary 19, 2021Pandemics, Holidays & Other Stresses, Professional Development and Career Advancement Blog, Workplace Wins

Look Beyond For Joy | A Workplace Blog

Look Beyond For Joy

By: Beth Schaefer    Director, Institute for Professional Development

Normally, this is the time of year that I write about the “New Year, New You” and how training classes at IPD can help with that.

However, 2020 was not a year of normal, and the first few weeks of 2021 have not started as normal either (I hope).

While training brings joy to me – it is my passion and how I like to help others – taking a training course will most likely not fulfill your need for joy.  What does joy even mean in these extraordinary times?

The most common definition of joy has not changed; Joy is a sense of well-being connected to living our convictions.

In contrast, the common definition of happiness is; the result of an event or circumstance.

While these times do not afford as many occasions for happiness, they do offer opportunities for joy; for what better time than now to reaffirm, recommit, and live your beliefs?

To help, here are some action steps I learned while studying the practice of joy.  I hope they will help you better live out your convictions during these turbulent times.

Express gratitude each day.

What is something you can be thankful for today?

Connect with others.

Who in your life needs you to reach out to them with a word or note of encouragement?

Look for a silver lining. Adversity brings opportunity.

What opportunity do you have now due to the current circumstances?  What action can you take to bring that opportunity to fruition?

I wish you peace and joy in 2021.

Please join our LinkedIn or Facebook pages for more information on upcoming events.

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IPDAugust 18, 2020IPD Instructors

Wally Wysopal

Wally Wysopal

Current Role:

City Manager for Fridley and
instructor for Metropolitan State University’s
Institute for Professional Development

Expert Areas:
• Public sector management and leadership

Relevant Experience:
• 33 years’ experience leading and shaping local
government in various roles
• Faculty for Master’s Level Public Administration program
• Speaker for the American Public Works Association
• Speaker for the American Water Works Association

Training Philosophy:
Improve the capacities of public servants to make government better.

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IPDMay 5, 2020webinar

BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE FOR THE SOCIAL SECTOR – FREE WEBINAR

Register Now For Our Upcoming FREE Expert Insights Webinar

Title: Beyond Business – Business Architecture for the Social Sector

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

12pm-1pm CENTRAL TIME

Join IPD Instructor Bao Do as he discusses the response of various countries around the world to COVID-19 and how pandemic management capabilities highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each country’s reaction.

  • Use business capability mapping to provide a means of early detection.

  • Consider how the maturity of business capabilities can lead to a more rapid response.

REGISTER NOW

Registration Must Be Completed By June 2, 2020

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Bao Do

Expert Areas:

  • Business Architecture
  • Business Analysis
  • Program/Project Management
  • User-Centered Design
  • Coaching/Mentoring/Development

Education/Professional Certificates:

  • Business Architecture Certificate from Metropolitan State University – St. Paul, MN
  • Certificate of Human-Centered Design from LUMA Institute
  • Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from University of Michigan
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IPDApril 20, 2020IPD Instructors

Dean Heltemes

 

 

Dean Heltemes

Expert Areas:

  • Business Architecture | Enterprise Architecture | Business Process Management
  • IT and Business Strategy Development | Strategy to Execution Planning | Collaboration with C-Level Executives
  • Global Team Building and Leadership | Large-Scale Budget Creation and Management
  • IT Infrastructure and Operations Leadership | ERP Modernization | IT Contract Negotiation
  • Program and Project Management | Sales Enablement
  • Industry Experience in Financial Services, Agribusiness, Commodity Trading, Energy, & Food Processing

 

Education/Professional Certificates:

  • Business Architecture Certificate from Metropolitan State University -St. Paul, MN
  • MBA from Carlson School of Management at University of MN
  • Bachelor of Science – Computer Science from St. Cloud State University

 

Relevant experience to topic areas:

  • Writer for the Business Architecture Institute
  • Builder of business architecture teams and programs
  • Practitioner of business architecture
  • Solution architecture
  • Enterprise architecture

 

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:

I believe that a blend of different teaching techniques is the best way to help people of different learning styles understand and apply new concepts.  I like to use storytelling and interactive group discussions to stimulate learning, coupled with hands on exercises to let people apply what they have learned.

 

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:

I am passionate about what business architecture can do and am thrilled at the opportunity to help people learn this exciting discipline at Metro State.  I love sharing my experiences and helping people to learn, and I know I will gain new insights from the class.

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Beth SchaeferMarch 10, 2020Business Architecture, For the Public Sector, Leadership and Strategy Blogs, Professional Development and Career Advancement Blog

Your Organization Needs Business Architecture | A Workplace Blog

Why Your Organization Can Use Business Architecture

Since business architecture is an emerging discipline, you may be hesitant to commit to paying for someone at your organization to attend business architecture training.  Here are 5 reasons why your investment would be wise.

Business architecture concepts can be used every day to help your organization grow and prosper.

Even if you do not have the role of  “Business Architect” at your organization, having people who understand business architecture will still be a benefit. Just like millions of people use project management tools as part of their daily jobs without the title of  “Project Manager,” your organization can benefit from the immediate use of the techniques and concepts learned in a business architecture certification course.

Business Architects are neutral problem-solvers that break down silos.

Business architects have tools that they can use at any point of a business problem to help business leaders and operational leaders define problems and solutions at a department level, a division level, or (ideally) an enterprise level. Business architects operate outside the silos that can hinder your organization’s ability to work cross-functionally toward one set of objectives.  Unless your organization is problem-free, you can use these skills and tools.

Business Architects draw the connection between where you are today and where you envision being in the future.

Besides tools, business architecture teaches people a new way of thinking.  It provides a lens that allows a business architect to ask the right questions that define a business strategy or growth opportunity and create the roadmap (literally, there are a variety of roadmaps) to show the way from the current state to future potential.

Business Architects get the strategy right the first time.

Do you sometimes roll out initiatives that miss the mark?   Do they create less value than anticipated, or do they actually make things worse for your customers?  Business architects learn about relationship management.  They find out who needs to be at the table and heard before strategic initiatives get speeding along in the wrong direction.

Business Architects help you prioritize resources.

Does your organization have more improvements and initiatives than it has resources to invest in? Business Architecture can help your company align its resources (people, data, technology, and processes) with what it needs to grow.

Do not wait for the official title. Do not wait for the official department. Do not wait to start using business architecture everyday in your organization because…

Business Architecture solves business problems!

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IPDJanuary 29, 2020IPD Instructors

Bao Do

Quoc-Bao Do (goes by Bao)

Expert Areas:

  • Business Architecture
  • Business Analysis
  • Program/Project Management
  • User-Centered Design
  • Coaching/Mentoring/Development

 

Education/Professional Certificates:

  • Business Architecture Certificate from Metropolitan State University – St. Paul, MN
  • Certificate of Human-Centered Design from LUMA Institute
  • Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from University of Michigan

 

Relevant experience to topic areas:

  • 11+ years of Business Architecture
  • 15+ years of Business Analysis
  • around 10 years of Project Management
  • around 5 years of Design Thinking

 

Philosophy of training in a nutshell:

  • Form, Function, and Fit

 

Why instructor is excited about teaching at Metro State:

  • I am excited to be teaching and learning at a growing and innovative institution. Metro State is one the few colleges to offer a course in Business Architecture.
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