“GIJS HAS AN EXCELLENT UNDERSTANDING ABOUT DIFFERENCES IN CULTURE BETWEEN LOCAL AND EXPAT EMPLOYEES. HE CAN VERY WELL RELATE AND GET TRUST IN BOTH GROUPS. I WAS SURPRISED ABOUT HOW HE OPENED UP LOCAL EMPLOYEES AND MADE THEM ACCEPT HIS ANALYSIS OF NOT ONLY WORK-RELATED CONFLICTS, BUT ALSO THEIR PERSONAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS." PIET HOLTEN, CEO PACTICS

CASE  1

Dorel Juvenile expressed their need for change from

silo-based working teams towards client orientated

cross-functional teams

Approach

In nine workshop days 75 employees and managers collaborated on the topic of working in cross-functional teams. One of the venues had a view on the historical walking bridge connecting Hong Kong with Shenzhen. While using the Open Space Technology method critical issues were identified and 19 ‘topic-owners’ stepped forward to lead the dialogue, create minutes and action plans.


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Outcome

Before their teamwork had similarities to Ping-Pong; issues were passed on from one department to the other. Now they experienced a different concept of teamwork more similar to football; cross-functional teams working together to one goal. And to solve complex problems at hand through cooperation and each other's expertise.


CASE  2

A regional branch of an international bank experienced that direct and publicly shared feedback is not welcome in Asian tradition yet the bank required to improve plans and to build  on available talents and experiences

Approach

During two 2-day we brought people from different offices and departments together. The first priority was to create common ground through sharing challenges and peak work performances. To create a better understanding individual reflections were shared and complemented by active listening partners.




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Outcome

Consensus and prioritized action plans in a relatively short time span. By openly claiming ownership participants became accountable for securing further implementation.



CASE  3

A divers team of 12 participants, part of ‘Initiative of Change’ in Kuala Lumpur, wanted to learn ‘How to Facilitate?’ in a Train-the-Trainer workshop

Approach

First step in this approach was to let the participants in small groups define the various purposes and target audiences to be facilitated. The second part consisted of two groups working on a co-created workshop design, while choosing suitable elements of a provided toolbox of techniques.






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Outcome

Already one participant has successfully carried out a first designed workshop.


RECOMENDATIONS

“GIJS IS A GOOD FACILITATOR, WHO HAS VAST EXPERIENCE IN ASIA AND READS THE NEED OF THE PARTICIPANTS. HIS APPROACH IS REFERESHING AND EFFECTIVE."

“I have known Gijs for many years. He is an outstanding coach and human being with in depth knowledge and first hand experience of the highly complex Chinese market environment. He is a great asset as an individual executive coach and/or as a builder of high performance teams. Besides the theoretical depth he has a wealth of experience and a unique personable approach.”

Willem Haitink, Former CEO NIKE China


“On behalf of the Technology Top Institute Green Genetics (TTIGG), The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, I appreciate the efforts Gijs made to organize this event and I would like to thank him for his role as a facilitator which greatly contributed to making the Open Space Technology discussion a success.”

Erik Verwaal, Former Consulate General of The Kingdom of The Netherlands

“I knew that we needed a different format if we were to engage fully with everyone. Facilitation by Gijs gave us 20 topics in 2 days all worked out by our engaged team members that felt 100% buy-in to the process. What an experience.”

Matt Burney, British Council


“PowerE2E builds diverse B2B supply chain solutions for companies in China. Communications and sharing experiences requires our constant attention. In this context we engaged Gijs to introduce us to the Open Space Technology. During a 2-day session, we have self-created an agenda of 17 topics of importance to staff and management. Group participation and personal responsibility came naturally.”

TT Lim, CEO PowerE2E

AMONG THE CLIENTS


DNV.GL China | DNV.GL Korea | Consider iProspect | Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad  | Air Foil Sdn Bhd | British Council | China Challenge | Donghua University | Dorel Juvenile | KeyGene | Kingdom of The Netherlands | LanXess | Naked Group | NIKE | Norwex | Pactics | Plantum NL | PowerE2E | Rabobank | SuitSupply | TTI Green Genetics | Unilever Food Solutions | Van Hessen | Norwex | The Initiative of Change Kuala Lumpur |  ZealQuest | Hunter Douglas| VAPRO | Walraven | IOC  Malaysia |

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