Managing Organizational Growth

01/26/2007

Managing Organizational Growth

Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.
John Dewey

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:

A New Career Helping Young Children Develop and Learn
Learn how to give a young child the very best foundation possible �" with a Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Development at National University.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.