Chemonics News
News: Chemonics Leads the Way at ISPI Conference
October 30, 2013 | 2 Minute ReadIn late September, Chemonics organized a conference on performance improvement in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Over the course of three days in late September, professionals from all over the world convened in Tbilisi, Georgia, for the 11th annual International Society for Performance Improvement – Europe, Middle East and Asia (ISPI EMEA) Conference. The theme for this year’s conference was “Improving performance in emerging markets” and the agenda included performance improvement experts, thought leaders, dynamic facilitators, and innovative local national entrepreneurs.
Attendees came from 13 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the U.S. This was the first time that this conference had been held in the Caucasus region and Chemonics – in partnership with USAID and ISPI – organized the event.
On Thursday, September 26th, guests of the conference were treated to two workshops by esteemed performance improvement experts Dr. Anthony Marker and Juan Pablo Ortiz. Dr. Marker’s presentation focused on learning how to manage the fundamental three pillars of the performance improvement process: problem analysis, evaluation of valued results, and successful implementation. Mr. Ortiz’s presentation guided participants through the critical task of changing mindsets throughout a performance improvement intervention. Other session topics included:
- Jordan’s Path to Excellence: An HICD Case Study with Chemonics Director Rebecca Sherwood
- Performance Architecture: Analysis – Solving the Right Problem or Opportunity with Dr. Roger M. Addison, CPT
- Perceptions of Value: Making Educated Performance Improvement Choices with Dr. Corey M. Welch, CPT
- Culture Proofing: Making Your Interventions Relevant Across Cultures with Chemonics Director Michael Jack and Associate Jonathan Geense
- Utilizing the Principles of Performance Improvement with M. Mari Novak, CPT
One of the most popular features of the conference is the simulation exercise that allows the opportunity for participants to have a hands-on, practical experience in working with an actual client who is in need of a performance improvement intervention. This year, the Georgian National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) presented five teams with a performance problem at their organization. Over the course of the conference, these five teams worked diligently to create a realistic intervention comprised of various activities that would assist NCEQE in enhancing their performance.
Everyone lauded this aspect of the conference with one participant commenting via an anonymous survey that, “The simulation was incredibly valuable for me. That was what I came for, the chance to experience working with a diverse group of talented individuals. I felt richly rewarded by the experience.”
For a full list of topics and an overview of the conference agenda, click here.
