Design a Better Business

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MASTER FACILITATION

The design journey is all about preparation, and it’s the facilitator’s job to make that preparation and the journey ahead easy for everyone involved. A skilled facilitator is the master of ceremonies as well as the keeper of the light – the energy and intentionality in the room. It is up to the facilitator to help the team achieve the outcomes expected efficiently and effectively.

—Emmanuel Buttin Business Line CFO, BNP Paribas

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

A facilitator (you or someone else) must run meetings according to a screenplay while also providing space for the team to discuss and make decisions along the way, always being cognizant of the time (and need for frequent breaks, coffee, and food). The facilitator must also capture (or elect a scribe to capture) salient points of view, ideas, and decision points along the way.

Of course, there are many ways to do this. Using a whiteboard, chalkboard, or large flip charts, you can capture short bullet points about what’s been said.

BECOMING A FACILITATOR

If you want to run a design process on strategy and innovation smoothly, engage with your team members, and develop leadership opportunities, you need facilitator skills. The more you know about how to design and run a good learning process, the more team members will feel empowered about their own ideas and participation. They will take on ownership and responsibility, resulting in better outcomes.

1 LEARN TO MANAGE ENERGY

Facilitation is first and foremost ...