BIS Find the Grass is Greener on the Virtual Side

Everyone in the UK is changing - they have to, because if they can't adapt to the New World and meet the challenges of uncertain times then they'll become extinct. Leading this change is the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, which has the heavy responsibility of helping businesses and individuals improve themselves, work better, and in turn grow the economy. But while the department works hard to help build the skills of others, they're also engaged in internal activities to build the skills of their own workforce.

Prof Eddie Obeng was invited to to run a session on Leading to Successful Change. 70 participants were introduced to Eddie by Bernadette Kelly, director general of market frameworks at BIS, who sponsors the programme. Eddie began by using Hopes&Fears^TM to create a user-centred, one hour rollercoaster of a course that covered tips and tricks on avoiding pitfalls and discovering new ways of working. This included leading them out of their offices and into the Pentacle virtual world – the business department staff got the chance to be among the first to visit the recently-opened New World Cafe. Because after all, even government departments need to take some time every now and again to just sit on the grass.

What is the New World Cafe? How can it be virtual and yet have grass to sit on? Keep checking New World Times, as all will be revealed soon...