Tools: Humörmarkeringar - "mood markers"

A tool which is very useful as a starter in workshops is "humörmarkeringar", which I know I have mentioned earlier in the blog. These markers show different moods or state of mind. In the beginning of a workshop you ask the audience to pick one of the markers which describe their state of mind at the time. Afterwards you ask some of the persons in the workshop to tell everyone why they chose a specific marker. This is a way to ease the tension in the group. It usually results in laughter and small talk.

Check out: http://www.humormarkor.se/

/Ida

Reflection

Oh well, things never turn out as you believe. I have decided to keep the two blogs separated anyway...I will from now on try to keep this blog updated with tools and methods I find interesting.

Today I'm reading all my old papers from the work with my master thesis a couple of years ago. In one way it feels like I'm back where I started, but with more real life experience from trying to use workshop tools in different job situations. It's been quite a journey. I know the hard work before a workshop, during and after. I know that one workshop never is the same and that it is not always the right method. You always need to be well prepared, but now I feel more comfortable with the different situations I know can proceed. I go through different steps every time, even if it's a small workshop, some steps you can't ignore. I will write about my experiences, to spread the knowledge about processleading and workshops to you who might be interested.

/i.

Go to Foggymountain!

This blog will shut down - I am only using my private blog from now on. Please see:
http://foggymountaindesign.blogspot.com - it is in Swedish, but I will soon start writing in english too.

Thanks for the support so far! And hope to see you at Foggy Mountain!

Lots of L,
i.

M E T O D A

Picture from www.metoda.se

Today I read about the company Metoda again. I metioned them earlier in my blog. They have a lot of interesting material about how to make better meetings etc. What is a good meeting? What should you think about before, during and after a meeting?

In their webshop you can buy books about team work, better meetings, workshops, coaching, personal development etc.
Check out: www.metoda.se

/Ida

M Ö T E S K O K B O K E N

picture from srfkonsult.se


"Möteskokboken" is unfortunately only in Swedish, but the books "Möteskokboken I and II" are easily describing tools and methods for better meetings and workshops. The first book is a shorter version about different ways of dialogue. The second book is describing the methods using the tools, suggesting in which kind of meeting you should have certain tools. The books are written by Erik Mattsson and Anna Jönborn.

Möteskokboken also sell something called "humörmarkeringar", which are quite fun stickers to lighten up the participants in a workshop.

Check it out:

http://www.moteskokboken.se/

/Ida

I N N O T I I M I ---O P E R A

In November I'll attend an education in the method "Opera" with Innotiimi. Ingrid Lysell Smålänning is the teacher during two days in Gothenburg. I have known Ingrid since the beginning of my blog...She is a very inspiring person!

Check out: www.innotiimi.com

Education in OPERA (only in Swedish)
http://www.innotiimi.se/site/?lan=2&mode=tiedotteet&laji=1&tiedote_id=1118

Educator in OPERA: Ingrid Lysell Smålänning
ingrid.lysell@innotiimi.se

Enjoy your evening,
Ida

G I V E C O M P E T E N C E

Today I met a new interesting person, Malin Österberg. She works as a processleader at "Give Competence - stimulating togetherness". Malin, Lina and I had a fun lunch together. We talked about the importance of good group dynamics and communication skills. We also discussed workshops, methods, tools and future plans. I hope we will meet again soon!


Check it out: www.givecompetence.se
/Ida

C R E A R U M

I want to tell you a bit more about the innovative team at Crearum in Linköping. This is what Ewa and Elisabeth at Crearum writes on their webpage:


Crearum works with:

Innovation management
When you want help with a structured idea development process that reaches the entire business operation. We use an approach known as the Carrot; an innovation management system comprising both tools and structure.

Creative workshops
Concerning a challenge or problem, always with innovation and creativity as a starting point with inspiring exercices that provide new ideas. With the help of monitoring and coaching, we follow up and ensure that ideas reach the point of implementation.

Process management
Hire us for shorter and longer assignments to coach groups and individuals so that idéas become reality or problems really get solved. Here we apply creative approaches that lead to focus and commitment.

Education
In creative working methods, (workshop management, tools, group development based on IPU´s behavioural and momentum analysis, personal development which focus upon creativity and inspiration).

Welcome to Crearum; we are a consulting company (originating from the University of Linköpng) which focuses upon creativity, entrepreneruship and innovation in organisations.

See more at: www.crearum.se

/Ida

A new beginning

A new beginning. I have been away from my blog a little over a year...Now I'm back. I will tell you all about my latest journey - which companies and persons I have met, which workshop educations and tools I recommend.

Let's start with Crearum. Check it out: www.crearum.se
Great place - excellent education and good teachers!


/Ida

Today´s best

I ordered a book a while ago about how to make workshops work... Today I received the book :). I can strongly recommend it, unfortunately only in Swedish. The book is written by two consults in organizational issues (Pia Larsson and Maria Eliasson). The book is easy to read and gives the reader the background to why workshops actually work better (than other methods) in many situations. The book is called "Sätt fart på arbetsmötet".



The other week I also came across some other good literature (in Swedish). The company is called METODA. They list a lot of different workshop methods and gives the reader an overview of when different methods can be useful.



I wish you all a good weekend!
/Ida

MAYOR EKEBLAD

I have had an interesting week so far!

My meeting with Josefina at Västfastigheter this Monday was a good start of the week! We talked about my mission and I feel that it will be a mission suitable for me! I started yesterday with my work and it's so much fun - I don't even feel that I am working ;).

Yesterday I met Ingrid at Innotiimi. Another inspiring and really friendly person, working with tools and methods for interaction. We agreed that we would cooperate in the future and it feels exciting!

Today I met AnnaLena, who is a real cute and wonderful artist! I feel that we will work together in more than one project! First of all I will sell her paintings and things on the "Home Fair 2010" in Vänersborg in April. I'm sure many of you out there will LOVE her things! I think everything she makes is eye-catching! See my other blog - http://foggymountaindesign.blogspot.com - to learn more about AnnaLena.
She has her studio in Linnéstaden in Gothenburg. Check out - http://mayorekeblad.blogspot.com
Thank you AnnaLena for today!

That's all for now! Hope you're all doing good.

/Ida

FURNITURE FAIR 2010

Next week I'm off to Stockholm to visit "Furniture Fair 2010". I'm really looking forward to some fun and inspiring days! Hopefully my old friend A will join me to the fair and we can explore all the new furnitures, carpets, lamps...etc. together.

On Monday I also have an exciting meeting...so I guess next week will be a better week than this one :)!

Have a nice weekend - I will get back to you with inspirational photos from the Furniture fair.

By the way - please see my other blog - www.foggymountaindesign.blogspot.com
In the other blog I talk more about my special interest in design and interior design.
/Ida

WORK WORK WORK

I haven't forgot about my dear blog, I've just been quite busy the last week.

There is a lot of exciting things going on and I feel that this might lead to something inspiring in the near future. I have had a lot of plans of starting my own company. I'm still planning and thinking about it. It's scary and fun at the same time.

Last Friday there was a party at Bergab, a company where I have been the interior architect in October/November 2009. The company felt a need for someone to help them out, when their premises where renewed. Since I have a contact there, they knew who I was and wanted me to do the job! It was very exciting. I'm glad to tell you that the result was almost as good as I hoped it would be! Off course you're always the worst critic yourself - but everyone was very pleased with the result!

Next week I'm meeting another person, who might want some help with a restaurant design in Stockholm. So there are some projects coming in...Also I'm helping my parents with their own dream project on the Island of Tjörn.

Besides this I'm again working for HoF Arkitekter in Öxnered. Right now sketching a new house model for a customer. So finally there is a lot of work to be done.
In the meantime I'm keeping contact with people interested in user participation in the design process and hoping that there will be an opening in that direction soon.

Have a nice and snowy day!
/Ida

New comment/ The Story Lab

http://www.thestorylab.se/sv/blogg/2010/01/24/workshops
Unfortunately in Swedish...

/Ida

HAITI

Today my thoughts go to all the needed in the disaster of Haiti.
Please let us help them! Send money to http://www.unicef.se/stod-oss/haiti
See in the right column on my page.

Even if we don't have a lot of money - we can do a lot! That is my believe.

/Ida

New meeting

This afternoon I'm meeting with J-E at "Göteborgs Lokalförvaltning". (Gotheburg City Facilities management). I will get back to you with news from the meeting!

I hope you're having a good Friday!
/Ida

Stockholm

I've been in Stockholm for two days. Yesterday I finally got to meet Teresa Lindholm, working for her own company called "Interacta". We had a very nice lunch together and talked about our common interest in people interaction. I received an inspiring book about "the dialogue", which I'm going to read today. Thanks Teresa!

Tomorrow I'm probably meeting J-E at Gothenburg City. I'm doing a lot of networking right now :).

/Ida

Information video - GRUL

I received an e-mail from Fredrik Axelzon (see text below) who said that you all should watch GRUL's information video (only in Swedish I believe). Please check out: www.grul.se and in the right column it says "Presentation av GRUL".

/Ida

GRUL

Another inspiring website...please see www.grul.se (I will add it to the list on the right side of this page!)

What is GRUL?

"Experiential Learning (GRUL) works with inspiring and unusual methods from the world of game pedagogy, transplanting them to new environments in the field of education. We work with students in the classroom, with teachers in an education context, in a variety of development projects, and in research with a range of different partners.

We work on a wide scale with many different types of organization development issues, communication, leadership and change-oriented processes. An experience based method is at the center of everything we do, where the recipients are involved owners of the processes in which they engage.

We are a part of Göteborgsregionens Kommunalförbund, The Gothenburg Association of Local Authorities (GR)..." (text from the website www.grul.se)

I met Fredrik Axelzon from GRUL at FABEL KOMMUNIKATION in Stockholm a couple of months ago. He was the leader of a workshop I was taking part of. Fredrik works with social interaction, democracy issues and the EU.

/Ida

"Children take action"

The 25th of March I'm invited to the conference "Children take Action" (Barn tar plats) by Eva at Gothenburg City. The conference is about children taking part in urban planning.

We will discuss questions like:

* Which work methods can be used to understand the childrens perspective and knowledge?"

* "Which urban qualities are needed for the young people in the city?"

* "What are the characteristics of a developing school environment?" "How could we describe a good place to play?"

I'm looking forward to taking part in the conference!
Thank you Eva for inviting me.

/Ida