2009 annual Organization Design Forum conference

Based on recent events and the journey ahead the theme Organization Design: Seizing Opportunity from Crisis: A Forum for Leaders, Practitioners and Educators is inspired by the critical role organization design plays in turbulent environments.

Current challenges in the economy and in organizations are the result of many factors. One of these factors is ineffective organization design, contributing to unintended consequences and business outcomes that have ended organizations and threatened entire industries. But crisis also creates opportunity - and a call to action. The 2009 ODF conference is an opportunity to learn how organization designs have enabled failure, and how we as organization designers can bring intentional, urgent capabilities and actions to solve the problems of the day. Through the insights of experts, teachings of thought leaders, and the synergies that arise from colleagues coming together, you will experience how the methods, tools, and the practice of organization design matter now more than ever.

At the conference, we will explore how to survive the economic downturn, take advantage of the opportunities being presented, prepare for and accelerate the recovery. 

This dynamic and interactive program includes:

• Organization design as a risk management capability
• Understanding the implications of organization design on whole systems
• Real-time design triage
• Building capabilities with shrinking resources
• Managing the long-term consequences of short-term organization design decisions and
• Taking advantage of the design opportunities presented by consolidation, acquisitions and strategic partnerships

Learn more

E-mail listserve set up for job seekers

Over the last few weeks I have spoken with many OSR alumni and students who are looking for work in these desperate times. I view this as an opportunity to build a stronger network of support and resources within the OSR Community.

As a first step toward building this expression of our community, I have set up a listserve with about a dozen members, those whom I believe to be currently seeking work. If you would like to be on this list, or you know of someone who would like to be added, please send an email to Bill Koenig.

There are many possible ways for this “collaborative” to support one another and I invite you to share your ideas and invitations with this group by simply replying or emailing.

Bill Koenig

Dialogue for job opportunities

As systems thinkers, we know that chaos is also creative and has its own order. Let's meet to explore how, together, we might stay expansive, creative, and seeing the possibilities for our work in the world.

Thursday, March 12, Noon–2 pm
Chardin Hall Room 138 at Seattle University

Bring your own lunch and your thoughts!
Please let me know if you are interested. Posy Gering, 206-769-9465

You can pass the invite along to others who might like to be included in the dialogue.