Case Study 3: Facilitating Sector-Wide Communication
Client Profile
- Philanthropic foundation
- Portfolio focus on a broad range of themes within one sector
Business Challenge
As the foundation’s investments were growing, grantee organizations noted that certain efforts at collaboration and information sharing were limited. Many attributed this to a dearth of independent facilitators who understood the context of the sector and could facilitate a conversation skillfully. As a result, the funder and its grantees reported missed opportunities, examples of miscommunication between stakeholders and limited sector-wide growth and collaboration. How could the sector address the need for creative tailor-designed opportunities for dialogue and collaboration?
Solution
In approaching the sector needs as a whole, CLI worked with the client to design and deliver a six-month training program for 15 experienced professionals in facilitation, dialogue management and conference design. Participants learned to use a wide variety of facilitation modalities, manage conflict in the room, find commonalities among participants, map stakeholder assets and create open cultures that supported cross-team communication. The program included over 75 hours of direct training time alongside personalized mentoring of each participant, using video feedback sessions.
Business Benefits/Impact
- Increased availability of skilled facilitators
- Notable increase in facilitated retreat and conferences in the sector
- Over twenty gatherings/conversations launched and facilitated by these trained facilitators within six months of the completion of the training
