Dealing with Contrasts in Europe:
Old versus New, Large versus Small,
Centralised Control versus Dispersed Leadership

• Fast Facts
• Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, November 1st
• Download the Conference Program Overview (60 kb PDF)
• http://ispieu.blogspot.com/  link to ISPI Europe Blog for updates
• Registration Options (How to Register)
  • Register On-Line 
    (for Credit Card Payments Only)
  • Download the Registration Form (51 kb Word) 
    (for Payment by Check, Wire Transfer, Purchase Order, or Credit Card)
• Hotel, Heidelberg Transportation, & Contact Information

Why a Conference on This Topic?

One of the fundamental aims underlying the creation of the European Union was to break down barriers to trade to form a single expanded marketplace that would benefit all member countries through greater access to a larger “customer base” on the one hand, and fewer obstacles and less cost on the other.  However, before trade barriers could be dismantled, from a very practical perspective, another important objective had to be addressed. It was necessary to create an environment of political stability and peace among extremely diverse nations. The process of considering political, social, and economic contrasts and finding commonalities among member nations was, of course, critical to trade/commerce.  The peace and stability achieved is also unprecedented in its ability to successfully unite European nations.

Europe continues to be characterized by diversity (both within and outside of the economic union) of tastes, traditions, technologies, skill sets, lifestyles, socio-political policies, and infrastructures, just to name a few areas. In fact, it is a practical reality of just living, no less doing business or trying to provide government services to citizens, that there are contrasts that must be dealt with as we manage organizations anywhere in the world!

Consider, for example, a long established company that has been very successful in its local marketplace. When that company decides to expand and compete on a broader scale beyond local borders, it is confronted with contrasts that must be dealt with. Will it continue to manage the core market according to established traditions and external markets separately and in keeping with the areas in which they are located?  Or, might the company decide that contrasts and multiple approaches are not workable? And so on.  Consider another example of a large established enterprise with core product offerings that are low technology but profitable and with a stable market forecast. What happens when this organization decides to diversify and grow by acquiring an existing business in a different industry whose business is based on cutting edge technologies? How does management deal with differences and contrasts that are likely to arise?

How about dealing with fast changing markets operating within and across bureaucratic, complex political systems and/or in a context of customs and traditions that are completely foreign? What do European entrepreneurs do or have to do to successfully penetrate new markets? What strategies do organizations use in different part of Europe to compensate for poor infrastructure?  What strategies have been successful in dealing across boarders when you are also dealing with issues or boundaries such as centralized versus decentralized management cultures?  How have EU-wide economic policies had an impact on how managers and entrepreneurs have to behave in their respective countries? What cultural performance limitations and/or opportunities have been revealed by the implementation of standard policies?

Join us in Heidelberg (Mannheim-Ladenberg) this November to share your ideas, theories, observations, insights, case studies, testimonials, formal and informal experimentations with techniques, models and approaches to managing organizational performance successfully in the contemporary world, particularly in Europe where diversity abounds.

What Makes This Conference Unique?

The conference offers a unique opportunity to all participants and presenters to network with HPT experts and practitioners from all over the world, thereby, opening up important new perspectives. This multinational forum will be limited to 100 participants in order to create an environment that will facilitate the exchange of ideas and concepts that go beyond sitting and listening. This approach makes all participants active contributors to the learning outcomes of another successful ISPI Europe conference.

The conference will be punctuated with opportunities to interact with presenters to address questions and take stock of what presenters and participants have taken away from sessions attended. Thus, the learning outcomes derived from such synthesis sessions will be reinforced in a personal way for all participants, regardless of what sessions they attended or the role they played.

Who Will I Meet There?

ISPI Europe's past conferences have been purposefully small and intimate, nevertheless, had participants from 10 - 20 countries. The mix of corporate professionals, academics, consultants and public sector representatives further enhances the learning environment. Our aim is to continue to attract high calibre presenters and participants. If you are interested in improving workplace performance and expanding your professional network, don’t miss this opportunity to join your colleagues from around the world at ISPI Europe’s 2007 conference in Heidelberg.

Conference Highlights

Download the Conference Program Overview (60 kb PDF)

http://ispieu.blogspot.com/  link to ISPI Europe Blog for updates

• Pre-conference workshops dedicated to specific topics of interest to both beginning and advanced Performance Improvement professionals. Session titles and trainers to be announced at the conclusion of the Call for Papers in August.
• Two great keynote speakers:  Arnoud Vermei and Judith Hale bringing their unique perspectives
• Sessions - Mix and match to suit everyone. 3 days of concurrent 60- minute briefings and 90-minute workshops.
• The exciting evening cultural networking event - a fun evening of exploring Heidelberg's architectural and cultural heritage, topped off with a savory dinner at a popular restaurant.
• Questions, Take Stock & Synthesis sessions to share the conference highlights and shine those accumulated pearls of wisdom.
• Assembly meeting to establish the continuing ISPI Europe Board for 2008.

   << top >>

A Combination of New and Proven Conference Features

Pre-Conference Workshops - Thursday, November 1st, 2007, Full Day Sessions (8:30 am to 5:00 pm)

Due to the overwhelming positive feedback for previous years' workshops, we will continue to provide a pre-conference day with one-day workshops to allow for deeper discussions. This year's workshops include the following:

ISPI: Certified Performance Technologist (CPT)
Judy Hale, CPT, PhD

The Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) designation is earned via a process established by ISPI which evaluates the work of CPT candidates against important and rigorous standards of performance. The review process requires skilled reviewers to evaluate candidate submissions and provide clear and useful feedback to both ISPI and candidates. Dr. Judith Hale will provide training for those wishing to become reviewers and also retrain those who are already reviewers. There is no cost for this valuable training - other than attendance.

The second half-day workshop regarding CPT concerns the CPT standards & how to apply apply them. This is a very valuable opportunity for those interested in learning more about the CPT designation in order to make a determination about when and how to apply. It is also relevant to those in the process of preparing a submission or those wishing to consider working with others as they prepare for the process of applying for the CPT designation. This workshop is also being made available at no cost to participants.

Cross-Matrical Management Workshop
Sarah Ward, ALTER Inc.

Do managers know how to get their jobs done? Today's organizational limitations on decision making are juxtaposed with increasing pressure to increase performance. Managers need new skills to get beyond what they know and break through to a new means of achieving key results. In this one-day simulation, participants will work to produce team results under the weight of time and uncertainty. By learning how to direct and connect cross-functionally, they will experience planning, coordination, and communication skills critical to realizing business goals. Progress depends on moving beyond the limitations of "silos." Discovering that current, shared information yields well-informed decisions is the pivotal difference. This invites the open, continuing discussion of resource allocation...and more. Success depends upon focusing on getting results instead of following hierarchy, and working rapidly together to make decisions in self-sufficient, interdependent teams that operate across functions.

Session Prerequisite Knowledge: All Levels

60-sec Infomercials

Presenters and workshop facilitators will briefly introduce the audience to their upcoming sessions so that conference attendees will have a bit more information to pick from the wide variety of session offerings.

    << top >>

Fast Facts

Early Discount Registration Ends 15 September 2007 - Register Today!

• Download the Conference Program Overview (60 kb PDF)

General Schedule

• Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, November 1st, 2007
• Opening: Thursday evening, November 1th, 2007
• Closing: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007, 6pm

    << top >>

How to Register (Fees & Payment Options)

Register for the conference and pre-conference workshops online or download a Word document and mail, email, or fax to ISPI (instructions included on the registration form).  On-Line registration is only available for payment by credit card.

Register On-Line 
(for Credit Card Payments Only)

Download the Registration Form (51 kb Word) 
(for Payment by Check, Wire Transfer, Purchase Order, or Credit Card)

Conference Registration Fees

The conference fee includes the full meeting package, opening reception on Thursday evening, and closing dinner on Saturday.

Pay by Purchase Order -- You must download and submit a completed registration form by mail, fax, email, or telephone. Please indicate on your registration form that you have a Purchase Order which requires an invoice.

Register On-Line 
(for Credit Card Payments Only)

Download the Registration Form (51 kb Word) 
(for Payment by Check, Wire Transfer, Purchase Order, or Credit Card)

    << top >>

Hotel Information

We have negotiated special lodging rates at both the conference venue Nestor Hotel Mannheim-Ladenburg.  Please reserve your rooms directly with the hotel as soon as possible, as rooms will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Mention the event code (SAP-ISPI) to get the special conference rate.  Hotel costs are payable directly by attendees to the hotel and are not included in the registration fee.

For your information, the hotel changed its name and is now called Leonardo Mannheim. It is the same hotel, located at Benzstraße 21, 68526 Ladenburg, Germany.  Telephone:  +49 6203 9390

If you have any questions, please contact ISPI Europe at nanci.mcgonigal@sap.com.

Leonardo Mannheim - Conference Venue
Benzstraße 21, 68526 Ladenburg, Germany

-- Single Bedroom per night € 85 (includes breakfast)
-- Executive Bedroom per night € 122 (includes breakfast)

Event Code: SAP-ISPI

For questions and bookings you can reach the hotel reservation department
by telephone, fax, or email.

Telephone:  + 49 (0) 6203 939 - 158 / - 0
Fax:   + 49 (0) 6203 939 - 113 or by

Transportation

The hotel is located in the picturesque old town of Ladenburg, which was founded more than 1900 years ago by the Romans.

Ladenburg is located between Heidelberg and Mannheim (10 min. driving distance). Because of the good connection to the motorway A6 and A5 (both only 3 km distance) the hotel is very easy to reach.  The closest airport is in Frankfurt, where car rental and bus services are available.

Travel to the Conference From Frankfurt Airport: Take the train, order a shuttle, or take a taxi.

Train Service: Take the train to Mannheim. Switch to the local line for Ladenburg. From the Ladenburg train station, it is a short taxi ride or a 5-10 minute walk to the hotel.

Shuttle service must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance and will be with Wörns T.S. GmbH.

Phone: +49 6227 55955
Fax: +49 6227 55061
E-Mail: transfer@woerns-ts.de

Rates from Frankfurt airport to Nestor Hotel in Ladenburg:

1 person = 58 EUR

2 people (traveling together) = 78 EUR

3 people = 88 EUR

4 people = 98 EUR

Questions?

Please direct questions to Nanci McGonigal at ISPI Europe:

• Email: nanci.mcgonigal@sap.com
• Phone: +49 622 776 6275  (Germany)

 << top >>