Hi Kári and thanks for your clarification (also Marc 😊)
I agree with Birgitt that its often possible to find a “bigger” or deeper
purpose. Anyhow I still quite often work with organizations to get going on a
specific issue or opportunity.
I started my own business 23 years ago from being in love with Open Space
Technology and feeling a passion to let more people have a taste and maybe
choose to continue using it. I had a quite big network and this beautiful
process to offer the world. I thought it would be “a piece of cake” but it took
about a year of working full time as a freelancer to start to have a stable
income… Through the years I had some downs but mostly I have been able to make
a good living from it.
I was so extremely lucky that I got support from the organization I chose to
leave, it was downsizing and those who chose to leave got some support to find
new ways… I could keep my salary for 6 months and I also had money to attend
different trainings – with Harrison and also to go through most of the Genuine
Contact program! On top of that I had another 6 months with support from the
Employment Agence – for new startups…! It was of course really helpful to be
able to focus 100% to get going. Well that “luck” is not there for everyone and
not having other income or having to spend part of your time doing other work
makes a bit harder I guess. I am grateful for this opportunity I got and took!
If I think of some of the success factors I can see these for me are:
* I started “blank” – didn’t do other consulting work, so my focus was very
clear from the beginning. I have met other consultants who have a lot of other
methods and tools and keep getting assignments from their old business that
they want to leave. Some of them seem to be stuck.
* I found a holistic way of working all through all interactions with my
clients, when I learnt the components of the Genuine Contact program,
especially Whole Person Process Facilitation was for me a perfect match to OST.
Since then I work from the same approach all through my assignments. I’ve
facilitated in circle ever since and kept on learning until now and onwards.
* The focus on solid pre-work and follow ups I find lead to good
“results” and also costs more time/money. This has kept growing which in my
view has many benefits to the client by being better prepared and attending to
the follow up better. For me it has been about opening space for them to
reflect on where they want to go respectively afterwards on what happened and
how they want to move on. Several exposures to co-creative ways of working,
sometimes inhouse trainings supporting them to continue on this path.
* I started giving trainings already a couple of years after having “met”
OST and GC. Some people warned me as they perceived that I train competitors.
It is very clear to me that by spreading knowledge about OST more work came my
way and keeps on coming.
* I connected to the OST, GC, AoH (Art of Hosting) communities among
others. Including attending/arranging learning exchanges and learning on the
lists like this.
* I have been trying to be generous in different ways.
* I have done my best to get well paid for the high quality I deliver.
Several of my collegues were “impressed” that I charged as much as I do. It is
partly connected to the time I put into supporting my clients before and after
an OST. Some of these collegues sadly went out of business not being able to
have enough income.
* I love my work, I love people, I love myself 😊
* I’ve kept on learning and growing personally through many different paths
for my own development. I am my most important “tool”.
* I run my own company, cooperate with others who have their own company –
this has worked fine for me.
* I have taken help with financials, book keeping etc that I don’t enjoy.
* My focus is more on being of service and doing the work I love than
getting rich
* I attend to my own health and balance
* I’ve shared stories on different forums such as social media
* I know how to facilitate as well online as in-person
* It is also helpful that my wife has a steady income from employment, Mia
is a teacher, thank you <3
Some learnings
* Sometimes I spent much time planning new ways to cooperate with others. I
think it has sometimes not been so fruitful when it comes to business. If its
about getting more business (doing the work I love) it may be better to find a
project and do it. I think its much easier if it’s a person who has same values
and good knowledge about the ways I want to work with clients.
* It’s not so easy to offer open trainings, but it gives good exposure and
spreads the word and comes back to me – and its fun and very rewarding in many
ways, to give trainings.
* I walk my talk. I don’t come into organizations and give lectures about
how I work. I offer them an experience of a well facilitated circle.
* I’ve consistently worked from the same approach – opening space for
co-creation using different methods. I searched until I found what methods that
suited me, then focused on that and still being curious of “new” ways.
* Being part of the Genuine Contact Organization gives me many
opportunities to practice and apply what I “teach”. I’ve taken many
opportunities volunteering to facilitate different processes. Much of that I
have taken out to my client work.
What worked for you?
I wish we can support each other to share our gifts in the world, they are
greatly needed. I have a strong belief that every time we open space in a well
facilitated circle (using whatever “method” – the world becomes a better place.
With love
Thomas Herrmann
Från: Marc C. Trudeau <[email protected]>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 15:14
Till: Kári Gunnarsson <[email protected]>
Kopia: Thomas Herrmann <[email protected]>; OSList (email to post)
<[email protected]>
Ämne: Re: [OSList] Selling Open Space
Carrier >>> Career ;-)
On Apr 11, 2023, at 8:50 AM, Kári Gunnarsson via OSList
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Open Space Thecnology as a carrier?
Advise and experience
... This is how I would have written it on a paper in an opening circle
I think it clarifies what I am meaning with this theme
On Tue, 11 Apr 2023, 10:54 Thomas Herrmann,
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Hi Kári, I don’t understand the question. stories on how OST … “as engagement
for a junior individual has value for their professional life”
Can you explain a bit more so I might understand better?
All the best
THomas
Från: Kári Gunnarsson via OSList
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Skickat: den 11 april 2023 12:02
Till: OS list <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>>
Ämne: [OSList] Selling Open Space
I remember many discussion groups at various ononos events where a young new
face had ambition and wanted to explore if this field can work as the sole
foundation for their professional life. But the stories of success in that
regard is from people who already have a good professional network in place in
one or another field and promoted themselves to management consultancy in that
field where they had an opportunity to bring the wonders and promises of Open
Space Thecnology to their industry and sometimes also provide the same service
to other industries through the general management connection. I have not
conducted any research into the professional development of Open Space
Thecnology Hoasts, Coaches and Facilitators, these are antidotal at best.
I am looking now for stories on how Open Space Thecnology as engagement for a
junior individual has value for their professional life. This is my topic
invitation in this thread. I would also love to engage in a conversation on
this topic from different angles.
Kari
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