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At the World Forum Foundation's "Managing For Quality: Working Forum for Multi-Site Early Childhood Organizations" in Amsterdam on October 3 - 6, 2006, we empowered a team of "analysts," led by Alison Pepper, to capture the key thoughts from presentations and discussions. They did a magnificent job.

As an example, here are a few nuggets from the presentation of Sylvia Neal of PLASP in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on "Managing Organizational Growth"....

• Strategy for growth important to consider process for growth, infrastructure, staff willingness.
• Important to keep in touch with staff and keep communication channels open.
• Essential to preserve culture of the organization �" may get lost as company grows.
• Know what you can do and be willing to say “NO.” Example: government mandate for before- and after-school care in the province. Came to this company who said there was no way that they could do that.
• On-site analysis experience. Measurement tool to make sure we are measuring facts, not perceptions. United Way developed it. Measure over a 5-year period. Revenues, expenses, and service levels. It’s a very rigorous process. What does one vacancy cost?
• Have model sites where you provide the service.
• If you are ready and want to grow, then put strategies into place to grow. If you’re caught by surprise, then you have problems.
• Effective communication: Find many ways and accommodate people’s preferences; understand whether your message was delivered, and was it a message that they were interested in hearing?
• Meetings attended by people who can make decisions on the spot, rather than making staff wait for decisions.

Photo Galleries from Working Forum Multi-site

Reports from Working Forum Multi-site are available on these topics:

• Assuring Program Quality
• Increasing Professional Potential for Staff
• Managing Organizational Growth
• Delivering Legendary Customer Service
• Developing Structures, Systems, and Policies
• Organizational Culture from Bottom to Top

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