AtKisson
Invitation to an Advanced Training Seminar
on Strategic Sustainable Development
The Stockholm Intensive — 12-15 February 2006
Sponsored by the AtKisson Group
"The next day there were participants actually lined up outside my
office because they wanted to thank me so much for the workshop. I
have probably gotten as much attention from folks in the office today
as I've gotten in a whole year, so it's a pretty positive atmosphere!"
-- Email from the Sustainability Officer of a Swedish city (2003) that
used the AtKisson "Pyramid" process to create new strategies and
initiatives for the city linking government, business, and other sectors
On 12-15 February, 2006, The AtKisson Group will be offering its sixth
"Intensive", our advanced training in the use of the tools and methods we call
ACCELERATOR. Previous intensives have been held in the UK, Australia,
Thailand, and the US. This is the first
Intensive to be held in Sweden since the
series began here, in June, 2002.
The ACCELERATOR tools have been
proven effective in many different
cultures and organizations. They have
been adopted by the United Nations
Environment Program's leadership
training programs in Asia, by private
venture capital investors in the US, by
national and state planning agencies in
Europe and Australia, by city and
regional development organizations on
three continents ... and in many other
contexts. They are highly adaptable,
and they work.
Graninge Stiftsgård, a retreat center outside
Stockholm, site of the February 2006 Intensive
ACCELERATOR does what its name implies: speeds up the process of doing
sustainable development — while also making the results of that process more
tangible, more results-oriented, and more effective. ACCELERATOR
compresses fifteen years of sustainability theory and practice into a set of userfriendly planning, training, and evaluation tools and methods.
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This suite of tools makes it possible to engage everyone in an organization or
initiative, enhance their comprehension, and maximize their contribution to
sustainability.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE
Beginning with dinner Sunday evening, 12 February 2005, and ending late
Tuesday afternoon, you will receive a high-intensity, hands-on introduction to the
ACCELERATOR tools, both theory and practice.
We will introduce you to key concepts, use creative presentation techniques,
engage you in interactive simulations, and guide you through structured,
collaborative thinking processes. We will walk you through the best case studies
from our global practice — failures as well as successes. (Fortunately, the
successes far outnumber the failures ... but one learns more from failure.)
You will leave with a personal plan for continuing your professional growth — no
matter what level you are currently at — and if appropriate, a plan for introducing
a specific new initiative into your organization. And you will go back to your work
with renewed energy and enthusiasm for tackling the challenges of sustainable
development.
Indicators + Systems + Innovation + Strategy = ISIS
ISIS is our core framework for sustainable development strategy. It will also
frame our agenda. You will receive a thorough grounding in:
•
•
The current state of the art in the use of
sustainability indicators to guide and assess
progress, from simple collaborative analysis
processes and communication techniques, to
advanced information systems and performance
indexing
How to use systems thinking — whether "formal"
to "sloppy" — to enhance you or your group's
capacity to find the most effective "leverage points"
for change
"Lots of methodological
insights as I begin the
process of incorporating
sustainability into
management education at
[my university]. I feel
absolutely blessed
... thank you!"
Director of business program,
Australian university
•
Putting innovation theory to work in practical
terms, to design better change strategies, and to
increase your own capacities as a "sustainability change agent"
•
Developing the right strategy for implementation, clarifying
your "theory of change" about how change will happen ... and
adjusting both your guiding theory and your practice in
response to experiments and learning
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We believe that the Intensive will significantly contribute to your capacity for
change-making and sustainability leadership. If you do not think the workshop
has significantly benefited you and your work, you may request (and you
will receive) a full refund of the registration fee.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:
Defining sustainability in clear, operational terms for
multiple audiences
Building consensus, trust, understanding, across
multiple sectors, disciplines, or departments
The ten things you need to know about
sustainability indicators and Indices
"I found it very easy to
engage ... You won a
greater percentage of my
heart & mind than any
workshop that I ever gone to
before!"
- Kerry Hyndes
Dept. of Heritage and
Environment
Government of Australia
How even "sloppy" systems thinking will help you
find the most effective "leverage points" for change
Putting innovation theory to work to speed up the adoption of new ideas, and
reduce resistance to change
How to effectively "raise the bar" on what sustainability means in practice
How to be a more effective change agent ... and how to motivate others to be
change agents, and accelerate sustainable development
LOCATION AND FEES
The workshop will be held at a scenic and comfortable retreat center on the
outskirts of Stockholm (see www.graningestiftsgard.se). Costs and registration
fees together range from 6,000 Swedish Kronor to 12,500 Kronor (about 625 to
1,300 euros at current rates), depending on which sector you work in and
whether you stay two or three nights. See the Registration Form for details.
FOR PROSPECTIVE LICENSEES, AN EXTRA MORNING SESSION
While anyone can make informal use of the ACCELERATOR methods to
enhance their skills, professional use of the tools requires licensing by the
AtKisson Group, or the engagement of one of our licensed trainers and
consultants. The Intensive is designed to both introduce people to the tools in an
individual/informal way, and to provide prospective Licensees with basic training
in their professional application. Participation in an Intensive (or equivalent
experience) is required for eligibility to become a Licensee.
The formal workshop concludes at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, 14 February. But for
participants who are seriously interested in pursuing an ACCELERATOR
Licensee relationship with the AtKisson Group, we will have an additional
morning session on Wednesday, 15 February, to discuss the Licensing program
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in more detail, the AtKisson Group network, to develop agreements as
appropriate, and to plan for future collaboration. Please let us know if you
would like to attend this special session for prospective Licensees.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Alan AtKisson has consulted to over one hundred companies, cities, regions,
international initiatives, and government agencies, in over twenty countries. As
an author and frequent keynote speaker, he combines professional expertise
with a creative (and even musical) edge. He is the lead developer of the
ACCELERATOR tools. See his bio at www.atkisson.com/alan.
To register, please fill out the registration form on the following pages and
send it in via email or fax. This is an international workshop, and space is
limited; please register early. Registration deadline: 7 January 2006.
Email: [email protected]
Fax: +1 206 770 6477 (Faxes sent to this number are received via email in PDF format)
ABOUT ACCELERATOR
The AtKisson ACCELERATOR suite of sustainable development tools consists of dozens of
methods, processes and techniques, organized into five "families" of tools, each with a different
theme and purpose.
Compass is our tool set for developing sustainability indicators, performing sustainability
assessments, and framing and describing sustainability for multi-stakeholder groups. Compass
tools have been used by large and small companies, regional planning groups, communities and
investors.
Pyramid is a sustainable development planning process and training program. It guides groups
through a sequential and systematic thinking, discussion, and decision process, based on the
ISIS method and building toward consensus on new, top-priority actions and initiatives to
advance sustainability in concrete terms. Pyramid has been used by national planning agencies,
UN training programs, cities, and regional economic development programs, among many others.
Amoeba is a training and decision-support tool for strategic change agentry. Based on a
combination of innovation theory and practical experience, Amoeba helps people increase the
"adoptability" of new ideas, speed their spread, and reduce obstacles to change. Amoeba is
fifteen years old and has been used by hundreds of groups and organizations around the world.
StrateSphere is a complete strategic analysis and planning package that helps you clarify your
Theory of Change, find a strategic niche, frame clear goals and objectives, and assess for both
the quality of your strategy and the capacity of the implementing group or organization. It
facilitates the development of a comprehensive, "360-degree view" of your strategic terrain.
To download an informational brochure for prospective ACCELERATOR users and
Licensees, please see our website at <http://www.atkisson.com/accelerator/>.
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Workshop Registration Form - Stockholm Intensive, Feb 2006
Personal Information
Name
Title
Organization
Mail Address
City, Province
Country
Telephone
Mobile
Fax
Email
We will use first names during the workshop. What name do you prefer to be called?
Do you have any dietary restrictions, or other special needs we should know about?
Purpose for Attending the Workshop
______ I am attending for personal and professional development, and to get exposure to the
Accelerator tools and concepts
______ I am / my organization is considering becoming an Accelerator Licensee
(NOTE: Indicates that you intend to stay a third night to attend the additional half-day
session on the morning of Wednesday, 15 February)
How would you assess your level of experience as a sustainability practitioner?
______ Beginner: I have significant professional experience, but not in sustainability
______ Currently in Training: I am attending a formal graduate program (or similar)
______ New Practitioner: My work involves sustainability, but I'm still new at this
______ Experienced Practitioner: I have been working with sustainability for years
______ Senior Professional: I teach others and/or work at a senior level, but am interested in
learning new tools
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Select Your Workshop Registration Fee
___ Volunteer/NGO Sector
___ Public Sector / Small Companies
___ Large Companies / Private Sector Investors
SEK 3500
SEK 5500
SEK 8000
Your Workshop Fee
Select Your Accommodations (All Meals Included)
Budget Accommodation (Shared bathroom for every two rooms)
___ Two Nights - SEK 2500
___ Three Nights - SEK 3500
Standard Accommodation (Private bath, hotel standard)
___ Two Nights - SEK 3200
___ Three Nights - SEK 4500
Your Accommodation Costs
TOTAL COST OF WORKSHOP
(We will send you an invoice when we receive your registration. The invoice will include bank information for
making your payment electronically. Payment of the invoice confirms your attendance.)
Departure Time
______ I will depart on Tuesday afternoon, 14 February (after 5:00 pm, but before dinner)
______ I will depart on Wednesday morning, 15 February (before lunch)
______ I will depart Wednesday afternoon, 15 February (after lunch)
Anything Else We Should Know?
See you in February!
You'll be hearing from us with your confirmation, additional information, and
advance preparation instructions.
— The AtKisson Group
Email: [email protected]
Fax: +1 206 770 6477
Tel: +46 8 789 0450
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