Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 20:10:59 -0400 From: "Withall, James H." Subject: Boston SPIN Meeting Announcement -- Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:00pm-8:30pm Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN) Meeting Announcement We will meet in our regular location at MITRE - Building S) Topic: Saying No: How to Say No to Power Speaker: Rick Brenner When: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 6:00pm-8:30pm 6:00-6:45 Networking and Round Tables 7:00-7:10 Announcements 7:10-8:10 Presentation 8:10-8:30 Questions and Answers Who: Everyone (Industry, Government, Academia) Location: The MITRE Corporation, 202 Burlington Rd. (Rt. 62), Building S, Bedford, MA 01730 NOTE: Because of security concerns, you'll need a Picture ID and any large items you bring will be opened and inspected when you arrive. The earliest arrival time is 5:15pm. No one will be admitted prior to that time. The building is secured at 9pm. All attendees must have left the building by that time. Info: See our web page for information and directions, http://www.boston-spin.org Boston SPIN meetings are free. No RSVP is necessary. Abstract: Saying No: How to Say No to Power Do you have difficulty saying "no" to power? Modern organizations are often organized around projects. People involved in projects collaborate to achieve a shared objective -- as team members, as project managers, as task managers, as sponsors, and as functional managers. Sometimes, even though they have a common goal, their agendas and tactics conflict. When these conflicts appear, one person or group might have to deny the request of another, who might have considerable organizational clout. This can lead to escalating pressure. Often, pressured parties tire of the tension, or fear sets in, and they "cave" -- yielding to the pressure. At times, yielding leads to an agreement that simply cannot be fulfilled, which then threatens the project's success. When this happens, saying "no" -- finding a way not to yield -- would have been better for the health of the organization, the health of the project, the health of the team and the health of the person who said no. This presentation explores: * The structure of these pressure situations * Why it is so hard to say no * Typical tactics used by both sides * The dynamics of saying yes or no * Perils of saying yes when you should have said no * Traps and pitfalls when you say no * Honest, direct ways to say no This program will give you the tools you need to assess pressure situations, and, when appropriate, to help convert pressure and opposition to joint problem-solving. Far from the dry, laptop-driven format of most corporate presentations these days, the program is interactive and experiential. Not only is this approach effective as a presentation tool, it's lively and fun. Attendees will be better able to contribute to project success by helping the organization find new choices. About the Speaker: Rick Brenner is founder and principal of Chaco Canyon Consulting. He works with people in dynamic problem-solving organizations who make complex products that need state-of-the-art teamwork. In his 20 years as a software developer, software development manager, entrepreneur, consultant and coach he has developed valuable insights into the interactions between people in a problem-solving environment, and between people and the media in which they work. Mr. Brenner has held positions at Symbolics, Inc., and Draper Laboratory. Since 1993, he has taught a course in business modeling at the Harvard University Extension School. He is Vice Chair of the Boston SPIN. Mr. Brenner holds a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT. He trained in Satir methods under Gerald M. Weinberg and Jean McLendon, attending and staffing many of their workshops over a period of seven years. His interests focus on improving personal and organizational effectiveness, especially in abnormal situations, as in the case of continuous change, in organizational emergencies, and high-pressure project situations. He writes and edits a free email newsletter, Point Lookout, and has written a number of essays on these subjects, available at his Web site, http://www.ChacoCanyon.com/ About the Roundtables: Roundtables are focused group or "birds-of-a-feather" discussions, with a facilitator, to stimulate and moderate discussion. Forums are continuing discussions with a central theme, e.g., the Software Testing Forum and the Software Process Improvement Forum. These discussion groups are held during the Networking portion of the SPIN meeting from 6:00 to 6:45. 1. "Hiring Initiative Forum - Interviewing Skills from the Employer's Perspective - How to gauge how well someone will function if you hire them" Facilitator: Johanna Rothman 2. "Critical Factors for Project Success" Facilitator: Jacqueline Luciano 3. "Topics of Interest for 2004-2005 Roundtables" (A flip chart will also be available for anyone to list topics of interest for the year) Facilitator: Judi Brodman Come join us for these discussions and share your experiences and challenges! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, October 19, 2004. Our Sponsors: Chaco Canyon Consulting http://www.ChacoCanyon.com Chaco Canyon Consulting works with people in problem-solving organizations who make complex products or sophisticated services that need state-of-the-art teamwork, and with organizations that want to achieve high performance by building stronger relationships among their people. The MITRE Corporation Microsoft Technology Centers (MTCs) The MathWorks Directions: Please see our web site at: www.boston-spin.org Cancellations (including weather cancellations): We will notify the membership via email to the SPIN distribution list, post the notice on the SPIN web page, and send the cancellation announcement to Channel 7 TV starting at 3pm.