28 June 2007
Creativity and teamwork at IABC 2007 conference
Speakers talk about using creativity and teamwork to solve communication problems.
Using originality and open-thinking to face communication challenges have been the main themes at the 2007 IABC International Conference, held from June 24–27 in New Orleans.
Tom brought in the Clive Wilson Quintet, who joined him live on stage to bring his themes to life through the medium of live jazz.
The conference kicked off with New Orleans native and former Time magazine Paris Bureau chief Tom Sancton, who offered conference attendees a refreshing new angle on themes such as teamwork and rebuilding. During his keynote, Tom brought in the Clive Wilson Quintet, who joined him live on stage to bring his themes to life through the medium of live jazz.
"Dead moose"
Looking at old problems from new angles turned out to be one of the conference's major themes, with Alison Ekizian, director of strategic change for information technology at clothing retailer, Gap Inc., talking about its "Moose Sessions".
Trying to communicate in world of great change - organizational or otherwise - requires heroism.
The sessions, introduced by Gap's CIO, Michael Tasooji, encouraged leaders to address the "dead moose in the room" (a fluffy toy) and talk about the difficult issues that everyone was aware of but no-one liked to mention.
Heroes needed
Another conference speaker who underlined the need for original thinking was Jennifer James, an urban cultural anthropologist who works with boards and high-level executive groups on strategic planning and international problem solving.
Jennifer spoke about how trying to communicate in world of great change - organizational or otherwise - requires heroism. The heroic leaders who guide people through change will be the ones who can communicate a compelling story about the need for change, she said.
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