Recently, a client emailed me a few questions, unrelated to the work we were doing together. She was on a human resources committee and was working to revamp their performance review process. She was wondering, “Does Global Learning Partners have any resources for...
Proper Planning Delivers Success
In the past few weeks, organizations around the world have faced the challenge of converting their in-person meetings to virtual ones. Our organization, the International Budget Partnership (IBP) is no exception. Every month, IBP holds an all-staff meeting via Zoom, a...
Expecting the Unexpected
When my kids were very young, I would take them with me to run errands. They’d say, “Momma, what’s our plan today?” with excitement in their voices. They wondered what our adventure to town would include! I would list things such as stopping at the post office, the...
Trust Your Design
In mid-March, the Tax Equity team at the International Budget Partnership was faced with a dilemma - continue planning a two-day convening of researchers, staff, and civil society scheduled for May or take it completely online. Like many organizations in the face of...
Rethinking Our Online Meetings
Much has changed since pre-COVID. And in my view, our monthly all-staff meetings are better now that everyone is on a separate screen.
Let’s Make Better Use of the Chat Box
The Chat box is highly underrated. All meeting spaces have this feature, but it is not often used. And even more rarely, explored. Here are some great reasons to use the Chat box: to invite in all voices Rarely does everyone have a voice in a session (in-person or...
Silence to Think and Re-energize
Many people are afraid of sitting in silence with a group in a Zoom room. Don't be afraid. Silence can be extremely helpful and needed if timed well. Here are reasons to design for silence: to give people time to think to make space for off-screen work before coming...
Quizzes and Polls to Engage
The number one desire in online learning is to engage each individual present. Quizzes and polls are two quick and easy features that can help boost the energy, add some fun, and help learners connect to the content and each other. When to Use As a warm-up to learn...
Gratitude is Like Oxygen
Gratitude can be wonderfully affirming, surprisingly life-giving, noticeably motivating, and importantly respectful. Human beings need gratitude. However, many of us need to learn to give and receive it. In these times of increased isolation and speed of work, Global...
Start with the Heart: A Warm-Up to Consider
I could never have imagined I would start a meeting with personal images of joy…But I did!
How to Use the Chat Box, Respectfully
Over the past months of virtual meetings – and there have been plenty of them – there has been much testing and experimentation with technology. One such technique has been the Chat feature; all virtual platforms have it and most of us use it. For me, the Chat feature...
The Third Wave: Hybrid is Coming!
The writing is on the wall. First in-person was thought to be the best, then we all went online, and soon hybrid will be the new reality. A ‘hybrid’ convening is when some participants are in-person in the room and some are elsewhere and joining virtually. Top three...