APPRECIATIVE INQUIRIES
for August, 2004

FirstCaribbean International Bank
Diana Whitney and Jim Ludema are working with the FirstCaribbean International Bank (headquartered in Barbados) to integrate the cultures of two heritage banks (Barclay’s and Canadian International Bank of Commerce) post merger. The two banks merged to form FirstCaribbean on October 31, 2001. During 2002 and 2003 they integrated their brand and marketing functions, IT systems, and product offerings. In early 2004, Diana and Jim trained a team of internal change professionals in the Retail Group and worked with them to design and launch Project Energy, a year-long initiative to build a culture of "Excellence in Sales and Service" using AI. During the next six months, nine Appreciative Inquiry Summits will be held to create a culture of customer service and to boost business results. The summits will include the "whole system" – customers, representatives from the community, and over 3,000 FirstCaribbean employees in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In May, Diana and Jim held a "Leadership Summit" with the bank’s top 80 leaders to expand the customer service work beyond the Retail Group to include the entire organization. Hear more about this initiative at the Second International AI Conference in September in Miami (see below for details).

American Baptist Churches, USA
Over the past year, Jim Ludema and Mike Mantel have been working with the American Baptist Churches (ABC) in a highly participatory, denomination-wide process of strategy development. American Baptist Churches USA, founded almost 200 years ago in 1812, includes some 6,000 churches and 1.5 million members nationwide. Many consider it "the most ethnically diverse denomination in America." It is 47% African American, 45% Euro-American, 4% Hispanic, and 4% "other ethnicities." It is also radically decentralized. Each local congregation is free to organize in any manner, at any scale, in any area, and around any priority that is relevant to and consistent with its calling. This broad diversity and decentralized structure have resulted in a highly dynamic church, but they have also called into question what it means to be a "denomination" in today’s world. About a year ago, a group of denominational leaders came to Jim and Mike and said, "We want to do an appreciative inquiry that will engage the entire ABC in (1) hearing what is on the heart of the local churches, (2) developing a common vision and new level of cooperation at all levels, and (3) creating new models for vibrant denominationalism for the next 200 years." In the next issue of the CPC Newsflash, we will share what we did with the ABC (see www.abc-usa.org/seekit/index.shtml for an on-line look at the process). Until then consider: What would you do? How would you create an AI process to accomplish this strategic agenda?

Community Development Institute (CDI)
CPC's client and partner, CDI, provides consulting, training and technical assistance to Head Start programs throughout the country. Working at the local, state, regional, and national levels, CDI works to improve program quality and enhance services to children and families.

Having engaged consultants Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom to provide them with customized training and coaching, they have also enrolled 15 people in the CPC Certificate Program. As of this date, CDI consultants are systematically weaving Appreciative Inquiry into everything they do from orientation and recruitment, to enhancement of profitability and program quality, to community development. In every story, consultants are reporting transformation of animosity into collaboration, increased levels of employee engagement and enthusiasm, decreased turnover, and increased profitability. All of us in CPC are anxiously awaiting publication of their book, Appreciative Inquiry in Non-Profits, which will be available in time for the 2nd International Conference on Appreciative Inquiry, this September. Stay tuned for more information.

CPC Certificate Program: Appreciative Inquiry and the Practice of Positive Change

Fifteen people from Colorado, Nebraska, Illinois, Washington DC., and Basel, Switzerland are enjoying the benefits of the CPC Certificate Program! On our last quarterly call, the topic raised was "SUPERVISION – how to use AI effectively, give clear messages, acknowledge strengths and map development, stay congruent with AI." What came from the conversation were:

"Tips, renewed enthusiasm, ideas from introductions, informative, specific ideas, re-energized, excited about this opportunity within CDI and beyond, refocused."

To join this illustrious network of positive change practitioners, download the Application Form and return it by mail, e-mail or fax. Upon receipt of your registration, we will immediately add you to our Certificate Program e-mail list.

For more information, contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505 751 1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

"I'm thrilled with where the CPC Certificate Program has taken me. It's left me feeling really solid and grounded in AI: both competent and confident. Several other practitioners recently commented about how experienced I seemed to be. What a nice affirmation - both of me and the program!"

Nancy Ogilvie
Core Essence Consulting

"Dear CPC:" a source for ongoing capacity-building, questions and answers

Dear CPC:

Why is Appreciative Inquiry a superior process for achieving business results?

Gerry Gorelick
Gerald Gorelick & Associates
Harrisburg, PA

Dear Gerry:
Over and over, Appreciative Inquiry has increased organizational productivity and profitability -- even in initiatives that were not directly targeted at "business" results. For example, as Diana and Amanda described in their book, The Power of Appreciative Inquiry, AI processes accelerate people’s acceptance of change -- which in turn enables large organizational initiatives to take hold faster and more effectively than would otherwise be the case.

So, in thinking about your question, we believe that there are at least three reasons for why AI achieves exceptional business results. First, it unleashes knowledge and creativity that otherwise lies dormant in the organization. By connecting "improbable pairs" of people, and increasing employees’ understanding of organizational issues and challenges, it expands the pool of "experts" -- and hence ideas in ways that enhance organizational performance.

Second, when an organization moves all the way through the 4-D cycle, the structures and processes needed to sustain change are generated in the DESIGN phase. There, we have a chance to think about how the organization is today -- and how it needs to be in order to even more consistently enact its positive core.

Finally, the whole organization is engaged in Appreciative Inquiry, rather than a representative subset, or simply the leadership. Whole-system participation yields whole-system commitment and buy-in. It becomes unnecessary to “drive the initiative” through the organization. It becomes possible to work out the details of implementation with those who will do the work.

For these and other reasons, Appreciative Inquiry is a superior process for achieving business results.

Amanda Trosten-Bloom and Jim Ludema
for the CPC Consulting Team

Do YOU have a question for CPC? If so, contact us at office@positivechange.org. We will answer it in a future Appreciative Inquiries.

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Upcoming Educational Opportunities

New Offering

Appreciative Inquiry in Healthcare, Bryn Mawr, PA, October 19 - 20, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL September 19. Health care professionals, administrators, nurses and clinical leaders! Consultants specializing in health care! Come and be part of a "positive revolution in change" in health care, through this newly offered CPC training program. Susan Wood and Jackie Stavros invite you to discover how Appreciative Inquiry is bringing out the best in people and their health care organizations, by designing the best work environments. Our focus is on positive change in recruitment and retention, quality of care, performance and patient satisfaction. There will be hands-on education in strategic planning using the SOAR model (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, results), and a briefing on research and practice including positive psychology and positive organizational scholarship. Find ways to enhance or accelerate existing or new initiatives using AI. CEU Credits available. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

*** NEW WORKSHOP DATES***

AI in Action, Boulder, CO, October 25 -27, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL September 25. Want to build on your experience as a leader of positive change? Go deeper, faster and farther with Appreciative Inquiry? In this intermediate workshop, Amanda Trosten-Bloom and Mike Mantel will help you identify and build upon your strengths as an AI practitioner. Explore a variety of approaches for applying AI at different levels in an organization, community and across our world. Revisit and deepen your practice of AI using your own projects and the projects of other participants as case examples. Hear about best practices and new horizons, as well as variations of the AI 4-D model and AI principles in theory and practice. Discover new ideas, approaches and frameworks for building your capacity and impact as an AI change agent. Previous attendance at a Foundations-level Appreciative Inquiry workshop, as well as experience applying the AI approach to at least one project, is required. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

What participants are saying about AI in Action:

AI in Action has built on what I learned in the Foundations course. It gave me case studies and alternative methods of design, so now I am ready to "fly with AI."

Diana Sadighi
Director, Human Resources
Hunter Douglas Window Fashions

AI in Action had a powerful impact on me. It expanded my vision, gave me a deeper understanding of the power of AI, and taught me new strategies for using it in the future.

Maggie Carter
Consultant
InQuiry

The Appreciative Inquiry Summit, Chicago, IL, November 1 - 4, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL October 1. Jim Ludema and Diana Whitney, lead authors of The Appreciative Inquiry Summit: A Practitioners Guide for Leading Large-Group Change, are still accepting participants in this workshop for consultants and leaders who wish to learn the principles and practice of applying AI to large group meetings (50-2000 people) and whole system transformation.

The workshop leaders will introduce the Summit methodology, share case stories of their work designing and facilitating large group AI Summits, and provide opportunities for participants to practice crafting Summit designs. They will discuss applications of the AI Summit to strategic planning, corporate culture change, enhancing exceptional customer service, vision and values clarification, global organizing and reinventing businesses, communities and complex social systems such as health care. They will share stories and videos from their work in corporate, non-profit, global and international settings. Prior attendance at the Appreciative Inquiry workshop, "The Foundations of Appreciative Inquiry," is required. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

What participants are saying about The AI Summit:

This event provided a forum to discuss and develop detailed plans for our upcoming summits on Sales and Service. It was interesting to hear from other groups who were using the tool in a variety of applications. The facilitators ensured that all participants made progress and received input and suggestions from the group.

Rita Sly
Project Manager
First Caribbean International Bank

With participation in The AI Summit Workshop, I now see how this wonderful, reaffirming methodology can be applied to Large Scale Change efforts. It's all-inclusive of not only the people, but also all aspects of where they're coming from, how they view the topic, and what they dream possible for the future of the topic. Staying focused on the possibilities is not only fun & rewarding, it's also engaging and creative in a way that creates the space for unanticipated outcomes. And, Jim and Diana are masters at it, which made it even more of a pleasurable experience.

Jean Tully
Consultant
Tully Consulting

Being Appreciative Inquiry: A Spiritual Retreat for Change Agents, Taos NM, November 9 - 12, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL October 9. The beginning of the year is a great time for personal reflection, reassessment of values, and the reinvention of one's self in service to a better world. If you are hearing a new call, being drawn to live and work in greater harmony with spirit, or just want time to honor the transitions of your life, Being AI: A Spiritual Retreat for Change Agents may be for you. With Diana Whitney as your guide you will have four days in community with others on the journey of spiritual development. You will have an opportunity to engage in self-discovery, envision your future and explore ways of being your best in the service of bringing out the best in others. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

What participants are saying about Being AI:

Being AI was life altering for me: a precious five-day period of focusing and interacting on a spiritual level of consciousness. Diana shared wisdom that has emerged out of her life of conscious learning, brought together with the pure intention of creating transformational positive change. It’s now my responsibility to put it all to use and remember what’s truly possible, through the expanded perspectives that I now live in.

Dan Petersen
Director
Edges Learning Community

The Foundations of Appreciative Inquiry, Taos NM, November 29 - December 3, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL October 29. Whether you’re a consultant or leader of change, Foundations of AI will guide you through an exploration of the theories, principles and practices of Appreciative Inquiry. This workshop provides hands-on experience of Appreciative Inquiry, preparing you to guide clients and groups in creating interview protocols, conducting interviews, working with appreciative data and stories, and crafting provocative propositions and organization design principles. Understand the difference between Appreciative Inquiry and deficit-based approaches to change, and experience the power of positive change methodologies. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

What participants are saying about Foundations in Appreciative Inquiry:

The Foundations of AI workshop expanded my consulting "toolkit", opened new avenues for productive client dialogue, and increased my network of AI colleagues - a fabulous development opportunity!

Theresa Garcia
CEO/President
Trust, Leadership & Growth, LLC

The Foundations of AI broadened my horizons personally and professionally by teaching me a methodology to use success stories as the foundation for exploring future visions. It challenged me to be bold enough to ask the necessary questions to discover a new world without limitations.

Kendra Sardelis
Science Applications International Corporation
BPM Specialist

Appreciative Leadership Development Program, Taos, NM, December 7 - 10, 2004. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT APPLIES UNTIL November 7. At last – an AI workshop for executives and managers! Facilitated by Diana Whitney and Jim Ludema this is a strength based leadership development program. It is a must for leaders who wish to identify and enhance their strengths and appreciative capacities for collaboration, affirmation, and inspiration. This is a perfect program for leaders of large scale change. For information and to register contact Corporation for Positive Change at 505-751-1232 or email: office@positivechange.org.

What participants are saying about Appreciative Leadership Development Program:

This was a life altering experience. I not only got in touch with my strengths as a leader but really got in touch with who I've been "being" as a leader and what is effective about it as opposed to what I've been "doing" as a leader. I loved how we took the different data points and used them to take a look at ourselves and what we're up to as leaders. I am completely re-inspired as a leader and feel very supported and connected with my colleagues. Thanks.

Tish Wilson
Vice President
Community Development Institute

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Books and Publications

Check out the full listing of leading books on Appreciative Inquiry and positive change by CPC consultants:

• The Power of Appreciative Inquiry (Whitney & Trosten-Bloom)
• The Appreciative Inquiry Summit (Ludema, Whitney, Mohr, & Griffin)
• The Appreciative Inquiry Handbook (Cooperrider, Whitney, & Stavros)
• Encyclopedia of Positive Questions - Volume One (Whitney, Cooperrider, Kaplin, & Trosten-Bloom)
• Appreciative Inquiry: Collaborating for Change (booklet: Cooperrider & Whitney)
• Positive Approaches to Peace Building (Sampson, Abu-Nimer, Liebler, & Whitney)
• Appreciative Inquiry: An Emerging Direction for OD (Cooperrider, Sorensen, Yaeger, & Whitney)

Also, look for The United Religions Initiative: Birth of a Global Community: Appreciative Inquiry in Action by Sally Mahe. This new book, published by Lakeshore Communications, is written by one of CPC’s most cherished clients.

Finally, follow this link to the AI Practitioner: the only newsletter on the practice of Appreciative Inquiry. Published quarterly by Anne Radford in London, the AIP features articles on such diverse topics as AI and strategic planning, AI in Health Care, and AI in the K-12 school system. The $28 subscription fee is modest, and well worth it.

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Update on the 2nd International Conference on AI

Join us in Miami for the Second International Conference on Appreciative Inquiry, scheduled for September 19-22, 2004. Diana Whitney and Jim Ludema will lead the Discovery plenary, while Amanda Trosten-Bloom and executives from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions Division will talk about alternative modes of Discovery -- and their human and financial results. Jackie Stavros presents "Investing in Our Youth: Transforming Schools and the Global Education Community," Mike Mantel "Ten Years of Transformation at World Vision," Susan Wood "Creating a Positive Future for Nursing," at application roundtables, and Amanda Trosten-Bloom "An Appreciative Approach to Budget Shortfalls." Be there for this premier gathering, involving CPC consultants and other thought leaders and innovators from around the world. Call 781-398-9700, or visit www.aiconsulting.org/conference2004/ for more information or to register.

OD Network Conference: Puerto Rico, October 1-6

Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom will lead a pre-conference intensive "Building Positive Organization Capacity: Advances in Appreciative Inquiry," October 1-2, 2004.

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About CPC

Corporation for Positive Change (CPC) is dedicated to the design and development of Appreciative organizations - those capable of sustaining innovation, financial well-being and market leadership by inspiring the best in human beings. CPC provides consultation and training based on the principles and practices of Appreciative Inquiry. For more information about CPC, or to contact any of our principal consultants, please visit our web site at www.positivechange.org.

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