TO:              GRCC Strategy Team Members

 

FROM:          Donna Kragt

 

RE:              Assignment for April 12 Visit to Grand Rapids Area Employers

 

DATE:          April 5, 2002

 

 

Less than one week to go before we make our visits!  Hopefully, spring will have sprung prior to Friday and we won’t be making our way during a snowstorm. 

 

Attached, you will find attached details regarding your visitation assignment.  We will be making visitations to eighteen different sites.

 

The timeline and agenda for April 12 is as follows:

 

7:30am        Continental breakfast available at ATC Banquet Rooms

(Please sit with your visitation team)

 

7:45am          Opening Remarks and Send-off  -- President Olivarez

 

8:15am        Groups leave for visitation site.  (Some organizations want the teams to arrive at 8:30, others not until 9:00.  If you are an 8:30 team, make sure you eat first and leave immediately after Juan’s remarks for the visitation site.  If you are a 9:00 team, you have time to breakfast at leisure after the opening remarks.)

 

10:30am          Leave site for return to campus.

 

11:00am      Teams to de-brief visitation in the ATC Banquet Rooms and prepare for the 11:30 max-mix table discussions.

 

11:30am – 12:30pm

Max-mix table discussions to share feedback from across all visitations and determine key learnings.

 

12:30pm      2001-2002 Strategy Team Appreciation Lunch/ Plans for Next Year’s Strategy Team – President Olivarez

 

1:00pm          Adjourn

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

·        Visitation Assignment and Directions

·        Discussion Questions for Strategy Team Visitations

·        Things to Remember Regarding the Site Visits

 

 

 

 

Things to Remember Regarding the Site Visits on April 12

 

 

  1. The purpose of these visitations is to LISTEN to the organization’s story.  (We are not there to recruit, defend, sell, promote, advocate, or tell the GRCC story.) 

 

  1. THANK everyone you meet for hosting this visit.  These organizations have gone out of their way to make these arrangements and we want to acknowledge their efforts.

 

  1. Visit the organization’s website before you go.

 

  1. Remember to wear your GRCC name badge with your picture.

 

  1. Stick to the script!  It is important that each group returns with the discussion questions answered.  If you feel your team getting off target, bring yourselves back.

 

  1. To the people you meet – YOU ARE GRCC! – Your visit may be the only contact they have with the College all year.  Please conduct yourselves accordingly!

 

  1. Follow all directions given at the site.  Many of these companies have restricted areas and rules that we have agreed to comply with.

 

  1. HAVE FUN!  Take this time to get to know others on your team and your organization’s hosts!

 

  1. Wear business or business casual attire.  (GRCC polo shirts are always appropriate!)

 

  1. IF ANYTHING COMES UP DURING YOUR VISIT, CALL 234 – 4044.

Discussion Questions for Strategy Team Visitation

To Grand Rapids Area Employers – April 12, 2002

 

Part A: Basic Description of the Organization

          1. What is the organization’s mission? Values?

2. Does the organization have a strategic plan?  (If yes, would they be willing to send us a copy for our records?  Leave Donna’s business card)

3. How many full time employees?  Part time?

4. What is the nature of the workforce?  Professional?  Technical?  Clerical?  Tradesmen?  (Please describe)

 

Part B:  Questions Regarding the Strategic Direction of the Organization

 

1.                 What do you see as the major strengths of your organization?  What sets you apart from your competitors?

 

2.                 What do you see as the biggest challenges your organization has faced in the last three years?

 

3.                 What is the value (or barrier) of being located in Grand Rapids?  Or asked, another way…. What would be different about your organization if it were located in another city such as Omaha or Boston?

 

4.                 What are the 2-3 critical issues your organization is currently facing?  What do leaders wake up at night worrying about?

 

5.                 How would you like your organization to be different in 5 years than it is today?  Asked another way, what is your desired future?

 

6.                 What external forces have the greatest impact on your organization?  Please be as specific as possible.

 

7.                 Do you have a specific organizational direction or set of goals for the next 3-5 years?  The next 10 years?  Please describe.

 

8.                  How will you need your employees to perform differently in the future?

 

9.                 Are there any skill sets (for your employees) that are becoming increasingly important to the future of your organization?

 

10.             Do you have a specific request or advice for the GRCC Strategy Team as we begin the process of updating our strategic plan?

 

11.             Is there anything else about your organization that you want us to take back to our planning team?