“Thinking Like a Reformer”

Tim Penny, President/CEOJuly 23, 2009

Hard to Reform Hard to Reform GovernmentGovernment

Why?

Status Quo Has Interest Status Quo Has Interest GroupsGroups

HealthcareAARPALF-CIOAMAInsurancePharmaceutical

New Dollars Compete with New Dollars Compete with Existing BudgetExisting Budget Entitlement vs. Discretionary Consumption vs. Investments Innovation loses out

Crisis Mentality – Reform requires deliberation

Committees Geared to Committees Geared to TurfTurf

New programs on top of old Jurisdiction (silos) Seniority – old ideas

BureaucracyBureaucracy Political leadership

Not real leadership No management skills Limited expertise

Staff ingenuity not rewarded Use it or lose it mentality Silos

Reform Requires Reform Requires Thinking DifferentlyThinking Differently

Focus onFocus on ASSETSASSETS Individuals Organizations

Communities Region

ASSETASSET-Focus leads to . -Focus leads to . . .. . Creativity Synergy

Results

What’s possible …What’s possible …

for individuals?

ASSETASSET--FocusedFocused““StrengthsFinder”StrengthsFinder”

Helps individuals find greatest potential for a Strength

StrengthsStrengths Natural talent themes (5 Strengths) Easy Hard-wired Almost no effort Fun

Strengths ProvideStrengths Provide Foundation to individual

development Springboard to excellence Self awareness & self confidence

leading to new achievements Appreciation of co-workers strengths Stronger internal relationships

Examples: StrengthsExamples: Strengths Focus Belief Maximizer Strategic Responsibility Context

Ideation Relator Harmony Positivity Woo Input

What’s possible …What’s possible …

for organizations & businesses?

ASSETASSET--FocusedFocused““Strengths-Based Strengths-Based Organization”: WHY?Organization”: WHY? Outcome focused Use assets to grow individual staffers “Walk the talk” from the inside out Dwell in possibilities, not limitations Break down walls & silos

SMIF’s ProcessSMIF’s Process All staff identified their strengths Internal foundation based on

strengths – not weaknesses Common language Strength based teams Coaching

Signs of a Strengths-Signs of a Strengths-Based OrganizationBased Organization

Asset mentality permeates all levels Action oriented cohesive staff Achieve greater results Staff excited to volunteer their

strengths Confident decisions More integration of work

ResultResult Only 20% of employees at top

companies say they have an opportunity to do what they do best at work

At SMIF 82% of employees say they have an opportunity to do what they do best at work!

ExamplesExamples Activity teams

Re-branding Internal Communications

Intranet & internal database

Business Training Identifying new marketing strategies

Outcomes New grant criteria

What’s possible …What’s possible …

for communities?

ASSETASSET--FocusedFocused“Town Meeting “Town Meeting Initiative"Initiative"

Facilitated Process Asset Mapping Visioning/Planning Project Implementation Evaluation

SMIF Provides Leadership Training Technical Assistance $15,000 Grant & Meeting Expenses/ Coordinator Stipend

Engages Everyone’s Engages Everyone’s AssetsAssets

Association Human Institution Physical

Advantages to ABCD Advantages to ABCD ApproachApproach Develops leadership base of a

community Focuses on local individual and group

talents related to current issues Increases civic engagement leading

to sustainability

ExamplesExamples St. Peter’s Creative

Play Place St. Peter

Community Child Care Center

Fairmont’s Area Career Exploration

What’s possible …What’s possible …

for a region?

Activities 10 Local Roundtables 3 Regional Roundtables 2 Summits

ASSETASSET-Focus-Focus“Southern MN “Southern MN Opportunity Roundtable”Opportunity Roundtable”

Southern MN Best Southern MN Best Economic StrategiesEconomic Strategies Current

Strengths Manufacturing Health Care Food/Agriculture

Future Strengths High technology Bioscience Renewable Energy

Example: Example: BioscienceBioscienceThe Region has The Region has

powerful bioscience powerful bioscience assets.assets.

World-class agricultural prowess.World-class agricultural prowess.

World-class medical research & World-class medical research & practice.practice.

World-class life science research.World-class life science research.

Example: Renewable Example: Renewable EnergyEnergyThe Region has The Region has

abundant renewable abundant renewable energy assets.energy assets.

Big footprint in corn ethanol, deep Big footprint in corn ethanol, deep expertise & capital.expertise & capital.

Some of the best wind patterns Some of the best wind patterns

Huge capacity for biomass production in Huge capacity for biomass production in cellulosic ethanolcellulosic ethanol

AgStar Financial Services Alliant Energy BioBusiness Alliance of

Minnesota Blandin Foundation Center for Rural Policy and

Development DEED MinnStar Bank MnSCU) Region Nine Development

Commission Renewable Energy

Marketplace

PartnersPartners RUPRI South Central Workforce

Council Southern Minnesota

Initiative Foundation Southwest Initiative

Foundation Southwest MN Workforce

Council United FCS Workforce Development

Inc. Winona Investment Board

VisionVisionSouthern Minnesota will be a prosperous and growing region with vibrant communities, innovative and successful businesses, and a skilled and valued workforce.

Again Again ASSETASSET-Focus leads to . -Focus leads to . . .. . Creativity Synergy

Results

Contact Contact InformationInformationTim PennyPresident/CEO507-455-3215timp@smifoundation.orgwww.smifoundation.org