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Symphonic News │ May 2009

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Volume 1, Issue 1
May 2009

 

HIGHLIGHTS

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

The Muhammad Ali Museum and Education Center
Symphonic Strategies facilitated a one-day strategic planning retreat for the board of directors of the Muhammad Ali Museum and Education Center. The Muhammad Ali Museum and Education Center, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is developing a series of programs to complement its extraordinary collection of Ali footage and other memorabilia housed in the Center's museum. Symphonic Strategies will be working with the leadership of the Center to design what is tentatively being called the Muhammad Ali Center for International Leadership.
 

 

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

United States Department of Agriculture
Symphonic Strategies developed and delivered a three-hour seminar for the deputy administrators at the United States Department of Agriculture. The seminar focused on the differences between leading and managing and it helped the senior leadership team at the USDA engage in a thoughtful and honest conversation about the possibilities of leadership in government.
 
Pension Benefit and Guaranty Corporation
Earlier this year, Dr. Robinson was one of three faculty members to address the seniormost leadership at the Pension Benefit and Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). Dr. Robinson's presentation touched on the challenges of leading and transforming government agencies, and he used a moving documentary (The Man Who Knew) to convey the importance of personal style to the success or failure of change initiatives.
 
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
We also designed and developed two customized 90-minute leadership development courses for the senior leadership team at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Washington, DC. What Got You Here, Won't Get Us There and The Content of Your Character touched on leadership based on biblical principles. Dr. Robinson continues to work with the leadership of this innovative church in the heart of the nation's capital.
  

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation
In a joint effort sponsored by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, Symphonic Strategies developed and designed a one-day boot camp for non-profit professionals. The boot camp, called A Path to Sustainability, offered non-profit directors a set of cost-effective strategies designed to build sustainable organizations.
Session participants said the workshop provided a “sense of direction in a confusing time” and provided “time to listen, learn and reflect on my work and prioritize next steps.”
According to one attendee, the session was also helpful in conveying the “knowledge that my organization is not alone in its financial situation and there are many options” available to help meet challenges. 
The day's session topics included State of the Union—Strategic Implications of the Global Meltdown; Social Networking for Dummies—People to People Fundraising Strategies; Let’s Make a Deal—The Art of Bartering for Goods and Services; Raise Your Voice—Marketing and Communications Strategies; and Social Enterprise 1.0—Earned Income Revenue Strategies.
“It was a phenomenal [full day] of information sharing and networking. I walked away with strategies that were both timely and aggressive. It more than met my expectations,” said one participant.

DEPARTMENTS 

Executive Briefing
On June 10th, the Symphonic Circle will host its second Executive Briefing Session. The topic is "Finding Your Voice as an Organization" and you will learn how your organization can increase its ability to respond quickly to a rapidly changing external environment. You can register here.
Recent Blog Posts 
"So, all eyes are on you, watching your every move. You're the leader. What can you do as a leader to keep your staff engaged and motivated without giving them false hope?" Read more »
News
African-American Men and Boys Advisory Board 
Dr. Robinson was recently appointed to serve on the Heinz Endowments' African-American Men and Boys Advisory Board, a special commission created to assist the foundation with achieving its mission and goals around empowering African-American men and boys.
Publications 
"In the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, don’t panic. Instead, focus and find your voice."