Vinezoom now offers a fast, proven, engaging way to foster trust and collaboration at the start of a new project management team –  Prelude workshops . For more information please visit www.vinezoom.com.

Recent Vinezoom  Workshop: Toronto Board of Trade, March 30, 2011

Prelude provides tremendous opportunities for personal reflection and lessons on how to best interact with others – Participant

Description: The Experience Works Mobile Program is an innovative initiative of Ethos Career Management Group in partnership with M. Magas & Associates Inc. It is designed for mature workers age 55 to 64. The 11-week process involves several training workshops and work placements. It is funded by Service Canada and BC Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD).

Website: http://www.scces.ca/

Location: Sunshine Coast, Sechelt, British Columbia

January 28, 2011

Facilitator Commentary:

I fully enjoyed facilitating Prelude again with  ‘mature workers’ in the Experience Works Mobile Program. This group included 2 ESL women and they really enjoyed the ‘Keynote’ module; as they were paired up with another classmate who encouraged their learning curve and understanding, and practice of the English Language through the process. This was the first group that I have observed that has much more difficulty in ‘getting started’ with the mural expression.  There was more hesitation, sitting back and letting others ‘lead the way’.  As time went on and as individuals felt compelled, they started to demonstrate ‘their leadership skills’ A sense of pride emanated from each participant as they recognized their contribution as a valuable individual, and that their individual efforts resulted in a beautiful group ‘expressive mosaic masterpiece’. Prelude was introduced during week 3 of their 6 week program, and it reinforced the natural ‘coming together’ of program participants into group cohesiveness. Again, program participants valued the ‘Prelude’ process in drawing out innate, latent abilities and practicing skill sets that are anticipated in a respectful working environment.

Participants Commentary:

• As an ESL participant – working with a partner through the process; practicing learning and understanding
• Taking my power words and developing them further into my 30-second ‘self’ infomercial
• Teamwork gets results
• Job gets done much quicker when everyone pitches in
• In my team we were hands-on and get a job done
• Everyone can do something well
• Everyone has inherent strengths
• Teamwork is the ultimate end to the means
• Don’t judge a book by its cover (sometimes quiet people are the 1st ones to get up and get things done)
• Collaboration – to bring ‘all’ ideas together
• Cooperative attitude towards the process instead of just trying complete the work

Photos:

June 10, 2010

Facilitator Commentary:

Prelude impacted participants deeply. They were amazed at their individual-group process. The group synthesis within the allTag module was extremely powerful. Participants expressed an enhanced sense of personal assets and professional goals along with a better appreciation of the rich potential of diverse talents collaborating. – M. Prochnau, Employment Coach

Participant Commentary:

• I’m going to print my Keynote Power Words out onto a T-Shirt, so people can see me ‘coming & going’!
• Prelude is a continual affirmation
• I have discovered that the ‘quiet’ ones have much to say when given the time and room to express themselves; and, that I like what I hear when they finally do share
• I will now always be looking for the close connection that allows us to be different and yet, work together

Photos:

October 8, 2010

Facilitator Commentary:

Through Prelude’s stages, participants learned to trust the individual and group processes. They were able to deal with issues of ‘withholding’ and ‘control’ during the allTag group synthesis. They also became more willing to ‘dig’ in and ‘tap’ into inner wisdom, realizing and affirming ‘this stuff already exists within me’. There was also a greater awareness of group dynamics, taking responsibility, getting involved instead of holding back, practicing compassionate action, including others. For some there was also the personal satisfaction in creating with others instead of in isolation – it’s more fun!  As in the first June group, I could see the deep reaching impact that the ‘Prelude’ process had with these participants. It is an extremely effective workshop/tool ‘ in creating community’ within the workplace environment. Prelude participants expressed an increase in self-knowledge, empathy, creativity and collaboration; which are all recognized as essential to success in work and life in the global knowledge economy. – Marion Prochnau, Employment Coach

Participant Commentary:

• Many individuals have talents and gifts that would not normally be exposed in their daily work. Prelude provides a good setting to blossom.
• It brought a kindness among us; differences melted away, we shared a common goal.
• I really enjoyed the ‘We Tag’ process, the collaboration and interaction.
• I really enjoyed the creativity and how others came into their own through the creative process.
• All work and no play make peers seem negative … I saw the group in a much more positive light.
• It was a great process. I loved it!
• I liked cooperating, using both our individual ideas and supporting the other person’s ideas. We felt free to clearly express ourselves without another person’s controlling or judgment.
• Makes me more aware of how ‘to work’ with other people/personalities
• It’s great to be able to take your Power Words and ‘work them into a Cover Letter.

Photos:

Website: http://www.northernlakescollege.ca

Location: Wabasca Area, North Central Alberta

Programs: Careers, Workforce Development

Description: This spring Prelude pilots were conducted with two staff teams from Northern Lakes College for professional development. In May the Careers Team, numbering eleven staff, played a round of the game. In June the Workforce Development Team, numbering nine staff, also played a round of Prelude. Both pilots were facilitated by J.D. Szezepaniak a NLC Life Skills Coach and Readiness Coordinator.

J.D. first learned about Prelude through his facilitation work with the Bigstone Cree First Nations Education Authority. Bigstone was introducing the game within its own community. J.D. saw the value for both students and staff development. He proposed a two-phase pilot project to introduce Prelude to both groups. After several months piloting with 107 first year students, the two final pilots with staff just occurred. The response from students and instructors was very positive. The response from staff playing was also equally positive. It was unanimous between both staff groups that the game experience was positive and worthwhile. Everyone also said they would recommend it to others.

Quotes

• The whole process was a great exercise in building a stronger, more productive team
• Prelude put everything into perspective
• I thought the iTag was interesting and personally relevant

Photos:

Our staff found Prelude fun, engaging and stimulating. More than that, it revealed assets in some of our team that had previously remained hidden and it brought other HR issues out into the open and challenged us to deal with them.  We are currently determining how we can add Prelude to the SiG tool kit of resources available to our 500+ clients who are running social ventures. — Allyson Hewitt, MaRS Director of Social Entrepreneurship; SIG@MaRS Director

Website: Lingo Media

Location: Canada, China

Program: Staff Training

Description: Lingo Media is interested in introducing Prelude to its client network in China. As a first step, a hands-on training workshop was held as part of a staff retreat. Given time and setting restrictions, staff played Module 1 in advance and the fourth game module wasn’t played. General consensus was this was an important experience. Further exploration is planned for Spring 2010 once Lingo Media integrates a web portal called Parlo it recently purchased.

Photos:

Website: Wiki Workforce

Location: Virtual

Program: Online professional development

Description: Wikiworkforce has integrated Prelude into its  suite of online professional development tools for members. It specifically focuses on Module 1: Keynote. In this way an individual can begin the process of self-discovery. Then ideally, that member will introduce the complete game group process to their organization.

Photos:

Website: Eastern Townships School Board

Location: Cowansville, Quebec

Program: Staff Training – Professional Development

Description: As  professionals [school administrators, counsellors, and teachers] trained to use Prelude with students, it became increasingly evident that the game had as much value for the former group as for the latter. The following workshops, from 2007-09, provided an experiential baseline for an adult version of the game now in development.

Photos:

Executive Committee Workshop, April 09

Teacher Workshop, November 08

Teachers Workshop, June 08

Teachers Workshop, November 07