Should social researchers reflect, in their methods, the cultures and practices they study? And in today's fast-changing world is there much value for policy-makers in so-called 'best practice' drawn from yesterday's case studies?
No doubt these questions are, in themselves, a major field of academic study. However, I received some practical exposure to the issues through an invitation to a think tank seminar this afternoon on Community Governance in LSPs (I'll try and explain that later). My conclusion? A bit of practice what you preach (or study) wouldn't hurt if the aim is public benefit rather than Yet Another Research Report.
Continue reading "Should social researchers practice good practice too?" »
Can 200 people work out what they are interested in, find others with shared concerns, form groups, and decide what to do next - all in 35 minutes? I now know the answer. Yes, knowledge sharing by milling about does work.... if you have a few props from the toy store,
As I wrote earlier under that heading, my colleague Drew Mackie and I were offered the chance of trying this collective speed-dating at a conference on nonprofit governance last Friday. A Government Minster, scheduled to keynote, had pulled out at short notice - probably to spend more time helping plan this week's Labour conference. An understandable emergency call, though inconvenient. However, instead of substituting another exhortation from the lectern, conference organiser Christine Morrison bravely asked us to mobilise the collective wisdom of the conference participants. Well, do as best we could, after lunch, in the slot usually reserved for rest and reflection.
In the event the participants were magnificent. Here's how it went.
Continue reading "Forming communities of practice fast? First visit the toy store." »
I'm particularly looking forward to a conference on nonprofit governance next week where my colleague Drew Mackie and I will run a couple of sessions aimed at helping volunteers serving on management committees and Boards think through their responsibilities and the challenges they may face. As I posted earlier, we'll be greatly helped by a new 10-point plan for running an effective organisation produced by conference organisers, the Foundation for Good Governance
Earlier in the year I worked with a Foundation team led by Christine Morrison on a review of nonprofit governance for the Home Office, and you can see the results blogged here. The review was heavy-weight research, but for the conference Christine and colleagues wanted something a bit more fun. For one session we've developed a governance 'game', in which participants invent tough scenarios then role play solutions. I expect personality conflicts between chair and executive director, misappropriation of funds, unfair staff dismissals and worse.
Continue reading "Knowledge sharing by milling about" »
On his Neighbourhoods blog Kevin Harris alerts us to publication by the UK Government of its planning policy statement (PPS12) on local development frameworks and says despite the dry title "it's historic stuff so sit up straight".
The interesting point is that local councils will now have to prepare a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which:
"sets out the standards to be achieved by the local authority in involving the community in the preparation, alteration and continuing review of all local development documents and planning applications. The statement should be a clear public statement enabling the community to know how and when they will be involved in the preparation of local development documents and how they will be consulted on planning applications."
Continue reading "Let the people decide - when they understand it" »
The UK-based Foundation for Good Governance has produced a 10-point plan for running an effective organisation. Although intended for nonprofits, a glance at corporate misdeeds featured daily on business pages suggests the tips may have some relevance to companies too. Here's the short version, with full text available among the Foundation's research reports - or download pdf directly here. The Foundation is encouraging distribution under a Creative Commons licence.
Continue reading "Ten tips for good governance (whether for profit or not)" »
John Moore neatly encapsulates How to start a relationship on the basis of manipulation by describing the way advertising agencies get their work. The creatives have to compete in pitching a 'big idea' to clients, spending a great deal and anxious about their hit rate. Clients think they are getting a lot of free ideas, but end up paying a premium to cover wasted effort elsewhere. John reflects that "starting agency relationships this way virtually guarantees dysfunction."
His item prompted me to think about the way that public bodies choose consultants for community engagement and civil renewal projects, and the resulting dysfunction that can occur and affect a wider range of interests.
Continue reading "How to start an unsatisfactory engagement" »
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