What’s Brewing in Your Organization?

What’s Brewing in Your Organization?

Tapping the Power of Strategic Engagement for Organizational Success

Tapping the Power of Strategic Engagement for Organizational Success

Pamela Meyer, Ph.D., DePaul UniversityMeyer Creativity Associates

@pmeyerphd

Tim Frick, Mightybytes, Inc.@timfrick

How do you/can you tap thestrengths of your organization

to generate value?

How do you/can you tap thestrengths of your organization

to generate value?

Why brewing?Why brewing?

The State of Craft BrewingThe State of Craft Brewing

The State of Craft BrewingThe State of Craft Brewing

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

The Brewing ProcessThe Brewing Process

Shared Dynamics of Brewing & Strategic Engagement

Shared Dynamics of Brewing & Strategic Engagement

• Informal (not planned or regulated) (Hussmanns, 2004)

• Organic (emergent) (Wheatley, 1996)

• Social/Relational (based on trust) (Park, 2001)

• Adaptive (Godfrey, 2011)

If one doesn't have the time to vet potential partners, then dealing with friends or known associates becomes a rational strategy.

Similarly, lacking resources and track records, new businesses seek customers and suppliers by tapping friendship networks, and family and friends become the initial investors.

(Godfrey, 2011, p. 259)

Strategic Planning:From Verbs to NounsStrategic Planning:

From Verbs to Nouns

Strategic Plan

Strategic Planning

Stamp Out Nouns!(Weick, 1979)

Stamp Out Nouns!(Weick, 1979)

Brewing

Strategic Planning

Strategic Engaging

Strategic Acting

Dynamics of Strategic Engagement

Dynamics of Strategic Engagement

Values-Driven Decision-Making

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

Spirit of Play & Playspace

Strength-Based

ContinuousPeer-led Learning

Dynamics of Strategic Engagement

Dynamics of Strategic Engagement

Strength-Based

Values-Driven Decision-Making

ContinuousPeer-led Learning

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

Spirit of Play & Playspace

About MightybytesAbout Mightybytes

• Founded in 1998

• Illinois B Corporation

• Focus on projects (and profits) with a purpose

• Team-based activities inspire company growth

• Initiated strategic engagement endeavors in 2011

• Numerous company endeavors grew from this

• Action-oriented

• Strengths & Opportunity

focus

• Possibility focus

• Innovation & breakthroughs

• Engagement of all levels

• Focus on Planning

• Energy creating

• Attention to results

SWOT vs SOARSWOT vs SOAR

Stavros, J. M., & Hinrichs, G. (2009). SOAR: Building strength-based strategy. Bend, OR: Thin Book Publishing, 12.

• Analysis-oriented

• Weakness & Threats focus

• Competition focus

• Incremental improvement

• Top down

• Focus on analysis & planning

• Energy depleting

Strength-BasedStrength-Based

Think of a recent successful collaboration

Think of a recent successful collaboration

Strength-BasedStrength-Based

• Hiring/recruiting

• Evolution to company’s core values

• Led to SOAR approach

How are you/might you foster“Strength-based Strategic Action”

in your organization(s)?

How are you/might you foster“Strength-based Strategic Action”

in your organization(s)?

Values-Driven Decision MakingValues-Driven Decision Making

Values-Driven Decision MakingValues-Driven Decision Making

• Team commitment to quality of work

• Value-reflection on strategic plan

• Business development practices based on core values

• Team development based on education and core values

• B Corp framework

Continuous Peer-Led LearningContinuous Peer-Led Learning

Continuous Peer-Led LearningContinuous Peer-Led Learning

Opportunity to build skills & knowledge through:

• Beer brewing & “brewstorming”• Lunch-n-Learns• Community involvement• Professional development fund• Product Incubators

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

Intrinsically Motivated Innovation

• Brewmaster selection

• Agile processes

• Product incubation

• Community involvement

Spirit of Play & Creation of Playspace

Spirit of Play & Creation of Playspace

Spirit of Play & Creation of Playspace

Spirit of Play & Creation of Playspace

• Brewstorming

• Participation in community events

• Product development sessions

• Lunch-n-Learns

• Hosted events

Value-GeneratedValue-Generated

Value-Generated: IndividualValue-Generated: Individual

Continuously learn industry best practices, stay current

Value-Generated: OrganizationValue-Generated: Organization

Evolve services to match changing industry

Value-Generated: CommunityValue-Generated: Community

Sponsorship of local events

Value-Generated: CommunityValue-Generated: Community

Support local organizations

What other types of value is/might be generated by tapping the

strengths of your stakeholders?

What other types of value is/might be generated by tapping the

strengths of your stakeholders?

Implications for Research & Practice

Implications for Research & Practice

What does it mean to “stamp out nouns”in organizational inquiry?

Continuing the ConversationContinuing the Conversation

Pamela Meyer, Ph.D.DePaul University • Meyer Creativity Associates

@pmeyerphdpamela@meyercreativity.com

meyercreativity.com

Tim FrickMightybytes, Inc.

@timfricktim@mightybytes.com

mightybytes.com