Search

A participatory method of strategic planning is given focus in the light of the changing business environment and demands. The Search Conference method enables the organization to elicit the participation of a large group to collectively plan a business strategy which will be implemented by the members themselves. Xerox has undergone a major restructuring of field operations which resulted in downsizing. The organization established a Search Conference participated in by management and staff to evaluate performance and develop action plans for improvement.

Rapidly changing factors in the global marketplace require corporations to have good leaders. In times of upheaval, when methodical change is needed in an organization, a leader must often go beyond the expectations placed upon his authority. He must examine the whole system as against the environment, identify the changes needed, ask the necessary questions needed to effect the change, make decisions that are beneficial for the entire organization and develop frameworks that allow all members to deal with each other.

The search conference is a highly effective tool for developing a strategic plan for an organization. Developed by Fred and Merrelyn Emery, it allows the organization to adjust according to its environment, which is normally characterized by discontinuous changes. It requires the participation of 20 to 40 leaders in the development and implementation stage although every organizational member is invited to contribute. The advantage of the search conference is that it results in a practical plan that leads to lasting changes and fosters commitment to the plan. One organization that benefitted from it is the Motorola Mini-Chip operation.

The search conference is an effective tool for developing an effective strategic plan. It involves learning about the environment, learning about the system or organization, and learning about how to integrate the system and the environment using a collection of action plans that fosters an active adaptive relationship. In short, it provides a way for the organization to function in a turbulent environment. The search conference is a highly productive strategic-planning instrument because it is systemic, reliable and replicable.

Corporate executives are often worried about redesigning their organizations because of possible failure, partial success or the long time it takes for adjustment. These executives should consider participative design (PD), a redesign process that circumvents the limits of traditional reengineering methods. In PD, employees are allowed to restructure their own operational areas without any need for a transition period for adjustments.