COORDINATORS DRIVE THE SHIP OF PRODUCTIVITY FOR APS
Letter from APS Chairman Bob Jacobson

Rarely is this more evident in the feedback we receive about our training conferences.

You told us what you learned, and you told us what you liked and disliked about the 2004 Amsterdam Coordinator Training Conference. The majority of feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We appreciate that very much.

We were listening to all your points, including the constructive criticism. What follows is my recitation of your comments for all to share so we can make APS a better and stronger organization.

The feedback we received was generated by 19 coordinators representing xx countries. The length of the conference - a total of four full days over a five-day period - was just right for an overwhelming majority of participants. Still, several participants said they would attend a conference that was a day or two longer.
Dinners were good, but the lunches and coffee breaks weren't so hot.

"APS should choose a less expensive hotel so that all coordinators can stay in the same hotel," one coordinator said. "That would create better communication."

At the same time, another coordinator wanted "a cheaper hotel but better service." Where service is a function of price, that could be a tough goal to achieve. However, if it's important to you, it's important to us at APS. We will explore solutions for all of the issues you raise.

Responses were predominately positive buy they varied about having regional events rather than one global event. About half of the Amsterdam participants said they would attend either or both types of events. Regional meetings drew the strongest overall positive response.

The question of attending an advanced session this year instead of a session similar to the one in Amsterdam drew unanimous acclaim: Coordinators said they would prefer to attend an advanced session.

Here are some of the ideas coordinators had for the curriculum of such an advanced session:

• Focus on the same areas with different content;
• Include tactical training for young managers to rise to senior management;
• More conflict management;
• Provide hands-on, simulated case study related to productivity/efficiency;
• Provide more statistics and formulas to implement strategies;
• Provide a complex approach to improve management and methods of measuring this improvement;
• Cover topics including strategies to manage different types of employees, communication skills, negotiation skills and time management.

Two-thirds of the coordinators liked receiving the materials on each presentation in loose packets.  Others preferred CDs or electronic copies.

Favorite aspects of the Amsterdam conference included:

• Great trainers;
• Role playing and group work;
• Decision-making, leadership and conflict management;
• Developing relationships with other coordinators;
• Sharing ideas;
• Bringing together coordinators from throughout the world and learning about other cultures and practices;

Here's what the coordinators liked the least:

• The hotel;
• Not enough free time;
• Some presentations were too long;
• Fluency in English was essential;
• The day is too long and should end before 6 p.m.

Suggestions for additional services and activities included:

• Establish in-house trainers;
• Conduct more training during the year;
• Provide updates on the latest developments in the areas of productivity, motivation and related fields;
• Provide training in native languages for managers.
• The day is too long and should end before 6 p.m.

Coordinators reported that CEOs or top clients would likely attend conferences designed for their needs, depending on the priority at a given time and scheduling.

Among other suggested improvements, coordinators said there should be evening events on the first and last nights. They would like a hotel that would facilitate or be hospitable to informal evening discussions. As for the presentations, they would like to have more time for project reviews and questions.

As your chairman, I am very grateful for this feedback. It makes us stronger and better able to serve the needs of members. As we review this material, we will let you know soon about the suggestions we will be able to implement in the short- and long-term. Stay tuned.

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