When I first read the request for ideas on renaming a T&D department of a large
organization that was looking to transform itself -
(BTW, _good_ question(s): which human element(s) of the
dept. want to rename and what elements want to transform?
Staff? Director? CEO of entire organization?)...
- I thought, what a neat challenge. Oh to be the one to come up with a catchy,
witty, maybe even meaningful name that "the department" could then adopt and
do who-knows-what with it; no disrespect intended. I have to admit I
almost felt silly when I got hit with the realization that compelled me to
reply: Even if I were being paid to 'come up' with a name, it would be less
effective, less meaningful in the scheme of the 'transformation' effort for me
than for the organization itself to do it (unless, of course I had the green
light to _facilitate_ the effort).
Whoever is leading the charge in this company ought to work diligently with any
number of stakeholder groups to brainstorm issues, functionalities, standards,
credos, potential partnerships, past experiences, dreams...These are the things
that will make for a unique name for [any] department that is meaningful to the
organization. I submit that no one outside the organization can really know the
underpinnings that led to the need/wish to transform the organization and
rename the department. Oftentimes a label for something tends to be there, or
it might fall in your lap, once the creative juices are unleashed with specific
focus on a particular outcome and based upon a history that led up to the
process on which the organization is embarking.
In fact, I would convene my group(s) and make it a point _not_ to tell them,
"Okay, let's come up with a new dept. name." I'd explore and elicit the
groups' values and a shared vision. I'd conduct these "meetings" at times and
in ways that would permit the participation of spouses and children. (It's
amazing how people close to us can deconstruct the complexities of the
workplace and come up with real revelations, often with elegance and insight.
I've always beheld with envy, the wonderment and beauty - and often raw
efficiency - of a toddler's and/or of my wife's uncluttered mind!)
Maybe I've gone too far with this; in short, I'd say I can't come up with a
good name. Better: any name that I could come up with, almost by definition,
couldn't possibly be the best one. That's not to say you might not learn from
what others have already done, though I fear it would taint the process...
John Prins 203.483.0737 (voice & fax)
Prins Associates JpMtgTek@aol.com
63 Parish Farm Road BizAdviz@aol.com
Branford, CT 06405-6026 prins@admin.aces.k12.ct.us
planning problem solving decision support
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n.b. I have a commitment to introduce myself to the list as soon as I can...
This reply took longer than I had planned (my text editor is more than a little
cumbersome!)