Ava S. Butler

Organizational Development Consultant and Leadership Coach

9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2021 and Beyond

January 24, 2021
Ava S. Butler

As an organizational development consultant, I think in systems and look for trends that will impact short and long term organizational success.  This Harvard Business Review article provides excellent observations that I find helpful in working with my clients on their most pressing strategic issues. 

Executive Summary:

While 2020 was the most volatile year in modern history, it would be a mistake to think that we’re in for smoother sailing this year. In fact, as we move into 2021 and beyond, the rate of disruption will potentially accelerate as the implications from 2020 play out across the next Continue reading →

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Growing your business, Implementing Change, Strategic planning, Transformational Change
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Predictable Surprises

March 24, 2020
Ava S. Butler

My colleague Bill Welter, owner of MindPrep Resource Center recently shared the six characteristics of predictable surprises, from the book Predictable Surprises: The Disasters You Should Have Seen Coming and How to Prevent Them, Bazerman and Watkins, 2008.

They are:

1. That leaders knew a problem existed and that the problem would not solve itself.

2. Organizational members recognize that a problem is getting worse over time.

3. Fixing the problem would incur significant costs in the present, while the benefit of action would be delayed.

4. (related to 3) Addressing predictable surprises typically require incurring a certain Continue reading →

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Growing your business, Implementing Change, Strategic planning, Transformational Change
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The Elements of Good Judgement: How to Improve your Decision Making

February 4, 2020
Ava S. Butler

Making sound decisions is core to every leader’s (every human’s) ability to succeed.   This excellent HBR article by Sir Andrew Likierman is a must read.

I love his practical advice and final thoughts: Leaders need many qualities, but underlying them all is good judgement. Those with ambition but no judgement run out of money.  Those with charisma but no judgement lead their followers in the wrong direction. Those with passion but no judgement hurl themselves down the wrong paths. Those with drive but no judgment get up very early to do the wrong things. Sheer luck and factors Continue reading →

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Growing your business, Strategic planning, Techniques to Make Decisions, Transformational Change
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The role of empathy and experimentation in collaboration

September 8, 2019
Ava S. Butler

Heather Hiscox, co-founder of Pause for Change, has written an excellent article on the role of empathy and experimentation in collaboration.  Her insights are essential for all organizations considering collaborating in new ways, and will significantly increase their levels of success.

https://www.nonprofitcenters.org/roleofempathy

NOTE:

If you would like to receive e-mail notification when I post additional techniques and meeting management related materials, please sign up through this link.   http://eepurl.com/KILan  You may unsubscribe at any time.

You will find my book Mission Critical Meetings: 81 Practical Facilitation Techniques on Amazon. Your feedback and reviews are most welcome.

http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Critical-Meetings-Facilitation-Techniques/dp/1627870377/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408719109&sr=1-2&keywords=Mission+Critical+Meetings

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Growing your business, Implementing Change, Strategic planning
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The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

April 15, 2019
Ava S. Butler

I highly recommend The Art of Gathering:  How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker.  I know a lot about planning and facilitating meetings, but learned so much more by reading this book. Whether you run business meetings, are involved in non-profit events, or hold parties at your home, this book will give you insights to up your game.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Gathering-How-Meet-Matters/dp/1594634920/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=gathering+book+of+meetings&qid=1555237488&s=books&sr=1-1

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NOTE:

If you would like to receive e-mail notification when I post additional techniques and meeting management related materials, please sign up through this link.   http://eepurl.com/KILan  You may unsubscribe at any time. Continue reading →

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Implementing Change, Meeting facilitation, Strategic planning, Techniques to Boost Creativity and Teamwork, Techniques to Improve Meeting Productivity
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Creating the Right Operating Model to Enable your Business Success

August 29, 2017
Ava S. Butler

Creating the right operating model to enable your business success is important to every organization.  I’ve lead several discussions on this topic recently and share my short presentation with you below.

I hope you found this overview helpful. As always your comments are welcome!

NOTE:

If you would like to receive e-mail notification when I post additional blogs on similar topics, please sign up through this link.   http://eepurl.com/KILan  You may unsubscribe at any time.

You will find my book Mission Critical Meetings: 81 Practical Facilitation Techniques on Amazon. Your feedback and reviews are most welcome.

http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Critical-Meetings-Facilitation-Techniques/dp/1627870377/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408719109&sr=1-2&keywords=Mission+Critical+Meetings

 

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Growing your business, Strategic planning
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4 road tested ways to maximize the impact of your strategic plan

June 6, 2016
Ava S. Butler

Most organizations put a lot of effort into creating their strategic plan.  And most organizations do a lot of things right. They gather their leaders together to agree their future direction.  They share their strategy with employees, and cascade goals to relevant departments and teams.   They even check back a few times a year to see how they are doing.

However few organizations truly maximize their efforts.  If your strategy doesn’t call for significant   changes to the way you do business, don’t worry about it.  But when your strategic plan calls for major Continue reading →

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Growing your business, Strategic planning
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