IPDApril 23, 2021DEI Expert Insights, Expert Insights - archives, Leadership Toolbox Past Expert Insights, past webinar, Project Management Past Expert Insights

Using Conflict to Build Inclusiveness – Past Expert Insights Webinar

 

Click Here To Watch Video

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 lead to better innovation and problem-solving.

This webinar will teach you:

  • The challenges of competing perspectives

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

 

“I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”

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 SchaeferApril 6, 2021Pandemics, Holidays & Other Stresses, Professional Development and Career Advancement Blog

Pandemic Changes That Will Stick | A Workplace Blog

“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.”
John Drucker

For this article, I am taking a quick glance at how our workplace environments are likely to change in the long-term as a result of the pandemic.  It is a non-scientific shallow dive that will most likely align with what many of you have already deciphered through your own observations. For me, I find this topic intriguing because:

  1. My own personal work space will be quite different (see article on IPD move)
  2. The modes of delivering IPD instruction will continue to flex
  3. The way I interact with clients and coworkers will be quite different
  4. And (most importantly) IPD needs to prepare people for their future roles so they flex and adapt with post-pandemic work situations.

I am interested in knowing what training you and your team will need from IPD to be productive in the post-pandemic world. As we move through this transformational journey, let me know what you need.   Email me (beth.schaefer@metrostate.edu) with your thoughts, and IPD will use those as a starting point for a survey to direct the development of new training courses – whether for you as a leader or the people you lead.

You can slice and dice the effects of the pandemic on business in many different ways:

  1. Industries that will flourish or perish
  2. Products that will remain in high-demand while others drop down
  3. Habits of consumers driving new services while discarding others
  4. Gender workload differences and pay
  5. Awareness of systemic inequalities in workplace opportunities
  6. Urban real estate declining and small town living increasing in demand

For the purposes of serving you better, I am looking at the main business change in your work environment- The Remote Office along with the strategies to ensure we are at least as productive as we were pre-pandemic.

For me, the biggest jolt has been the shift from working in the communal office setting to working solo and remotely.  Almost every other change (such as increased automation, a new focus on AI, moving out of the urban setting, and the uptick with DIY and crafting) can be connected to this one change.  And, it generates a long list of new skills you may need or are still figuring out how to do better:

  • How to avoid “Zoom fatigue”

  • How to function in “hoteling space”

  • How to best communicate – especially the smaller pieces you use to say over the cubical wall or by popping your head into an office

  • How to call upon others to help you quick problem-solve or brainstorm without making it a formal virtual meeting

  • How to communicate project progress

  • How to redo all processes to fit a virtual world

  • How to structure your day

  • How to draw lines between work and home or blur the lines between work and home

  • How to prioritize your work

  • How to find, read, and draw your own insights on data

The good news is that you are getting some help from your organizations.   According to my sources, most of you are seeing that:

  1. Your company is losing its fear of being an early-adapter of technology
  2. Your work processes are becoming more automated
  3. Your options for hybrid (some remote, some in office) work are opening up

However, some changes are bit more challenging.  The same sources said that your managers still struggle with:

  1. How to rate and monitor your production instead of your time
  2. How to support your mental health
  3. How to manage teams with the lack of workplace structure
  4. How to make adjustments now that the systemic inequalities are coming to light

While public and private roles share many commonalities in the post-Covid workplace, public sector managers will have additional challenges when marrying disruption with a system based on stability.  In particular, they will face unsustainable labor agreements with a shrinking tax base and less aid.  When they can hire again, their system touts longevity as a hiring benefit to younger generations who do not care about working for the same organization for 20 years but prefer flexible employment options.   To get the change they need, professional public sector leaders will need to get their councils, boards, and legislators to vote in drastic and dramatic changes.

Again, please take a minute and let me know areas or topics where you need some support or more information.   Email me with your thoughts, and IPD will use those as a starting point for a survey to direct the development of new training courses – whether for you as a leader or the people you lead.

I will let you know how I do on my own transition from private office at work to my den at home, and back to my new shared collaborative work space once it is built.

Beth Schaefer

IPD Director

Sources

ABC News

BizJournal

Careers in Government

Forbes

Government Executives

Harvard Business Week

McKinsey & Company

Vault

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IPDMarch 12, 2021Change Webinar - Past Expert Insights, Expert Insights - archives, Leadership Toolbox Past Expert Insights, past webinar

Navigating Change in Changing Times – Past Expert Insights Webinar

Click Here To Watch Video

During this webinar, you will:

  • Take a quick assessment to gain insight into how you navigate change
  • Learn about the “change curve” and how it can help you ride the waves of change

 

Click Here To Watch Video

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill

If Mr. Churchill is correct; based on the last nine months, we should all be perfect by now!

If that statement does not ring true for you, this free webinar from the Institute for Professional Development will help.

Learn more about change and the effect it has on you, and others.

Begin tapping into the cycles of change and use them to be productive instead of feeling like you are being tossed about at sea.

“I cannot change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination

Jeanette Grace

  • Title/Position
    Instructor, Metropolitan State University
  • Expert Areas: 
    • Communication
    • Customer Service
    • Employee Engagement
    • Conflict Resolution
    • Teambuilding

 

Read More
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

Oops! We could not locate your form.

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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