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The Study Case of:“United Sounds”

Dortmund

Christoph Kaletka6th and Final SME ACTor Meeting and

Workshop24 October 2008

Bucharestkaletka@sfs-dortmund.dec

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The Ruhr Metropolis

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Dortmund – Part of the Ruhr Metropolis

• population: 589.000 inhabitants• unemployment: 2004: 19%; 2008: 14%• market radius: one car hour 18 million• commuters: in: > 80.000/out: < 58.000• Main sectors: retail commerce

healthITinsurance and bankinglogistics

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Former steel town ...

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... developing a new identity

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Target sector: Cultural / music management

• Ruhr metropolis: cultural capital of Europe 2010

• Decision: not to target IT, logistics, MST

Development of “United Sounds” as a music event organisers network had silently begun (grassroots / bottom-up, options for structural and methodical improvement)

Sector: Local / regional music scene, locally funded youth centers

Target group: Local / regional music event organisers

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Second tier facilitators: The „core team“• 4 learnshops (two-day learnshop at the end)• 3-4 participants: local youth and music

center managers, music network organisers, event managers restricted number

• Aims: Discuss and define the main goal(s) of the United Sounds network; establish a core team and assign team members roles

• Aims (methods): Learning action learning by using action learning methods

• Very basic tools used repeatedly to create methodical understanding: to-do minutes, visualisation, role of moderation, countdown planning

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Second tier facilitators: Main results• They learned action learning by using action

learning methods (What does that mean?!?)– Communication, results, techniques

• Core team structure as backbone of United Sounds built– definition of network functions and long-term goals– personal identification and belief in the project

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Labs for SMEs

• 7 learnshops

• 6-15 participants: youth and music center managers, music network organisers, event managers, artists, local administration (SMEs + local cultural stakeholders)

• Aims: Establishing connections and a common interest between individuals; re-establishing trust and communication structures– History in cooperation: critical factor

• Main tools used: to-do minutes, visualisation, strong moderation and intervention

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Labs for SMEs: Main results

• Growing number of participants

• Common goals defined

• First products (website, United Sounds events)

• Role of moderation given to 2nd tier facilitators at the end

• „Automatic“ use of action learning methods and instruments

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Reporting on Labs: Lessons learned?The brand-new facilitators say:

• briefing and preparation are central aspects– location and equipment: simple but difficult– Plan learnshop by defining aims, work contents,

learning contents, methods, instruments

• Develop a project everybody can agree upon

• Learn about the role of a moderator• Evaluate the learnshop:

What has been learned?Create new input

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Reporting on Labs: Lessons learned?We say:

• United Sounds is working as a network• People feel responsible and work on the

tasks• United Sounds milestones have been

defined for the next 24 months• United Sounds makes constant use of action

learning methods

• sfs withdrew from United Sounds in a good conscience

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Reporting on Labs: Lessons learned?Final comment:

It was a striking experience to see how a few basic methods of communication can turn a ‘flock of sheep’ into a relatively organised network and project (community of performance) with clear aims and strategies and accepted ‘leaders’.

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And after SME ACTor?

Common learningShared responsibility

Consensus on co-operationWell-developed tool-kit

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Action learning changes the way you work!Silent dissemination…

Active transfer…

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Thank you !!

Christoph Kaletkakaletka@sfs-dortmund.de