Learning from User Groups LO17196

MargMcI (MargMcI@aol.com)
Thu, 26 Feb 1998 22:33:23 EST

Org-learners,

I am starting a project on "user groups" and wondered if anyone on the
list has had any experience in how to design a user group for maximum
learning and maximum goodwill.

My project has to do with "hardware" user groups rather than software, and
is business to business rather than consumer user groups. I'd like to get
some sense of some standard practices and lessons learned if anyone would
be willing to share their insights.

Some questions/issues come to mind, some are just simple level of
logistics, but some deal with more org-learning issues:

How to select participants (positions, functions, number of companies
represented, etc)
How to deal with confidentiality
How to promote openness since some may consider other partipants competitors
Feedback mechanisms to others and back to the group on ideas generated
Incorporating ideas into new product development and innovations
Who controls how the group functions
Who pays for expenses and are participants compensated
How much time is spent entertaining vs. work
What time frame and how important are the issues the group deals with
Are there topics that are off limits
How is the energy of the group maintained over the long term
How is turnover handled
What are some of the pitfalls and unintended consequences of this type of
learning forum

I'm sure there are many other questions. Any input would be much appreciated.
And any references to resources would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

Margaret McIntyre
MargMcI@aol.com

-- 

MargMcI <MargMcI@aol.com>

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