Terry Freedman’s “Overcoming Obstacles: Selling Web 2.0 to Senior Management”
I’m headed over to the “Obstacles to Opportunities” wiki to add Terry Freedman’s wonderful resource from the K12 Online Conference 2006. His pdf and podcast of “Overcoming Obstacles: Selling Web 2.0 to Senior Management is a step-by-step process that will be extremely helpful. In his description of his presentation he lists the following knowledge points that delegates will be provided:
- The seven general principles of presenting new ideas
- Objection analysis
- The four main areas of concern usually expressed, and how to deal with them.
- Seven proactive things you can do to get the management (or other influential people) on your side.
- Four reasons why a supportive management is not always a good thing.
- Four tactics to get a supportive administration or leadership team working with you rather than against you.
- Three things to do if blogging etc has already been banned.
Then his 7 proactive things you can do to enlist the support of senior managment:
- research
- help your colleagues
- objection analysis
- make the school’s issues your issues
- plan a pilot
- keep ‘em informed
- get ‘em involved
Be sure to read the brief descriptions on his paper behind each of these proactive points. Now I have just highlighted a few parts of his excellent resource. You need to read the whole thing.
I especially liked the discussion he had with his wife where possible objections and answers to objections from senior management were the focus of the conversation. They got to the quick but at the same time it felt warm and comfortable. It felt possible. I felt like I had entered a friend’s kitchen and listened to delightful conversation that helped me work out some possible solutions. You know in this wonderful world of learning online we get to be a part of so many different types of conversations. It continues to amaze me.
It was nice this weekend to take the time to listen to one presentation and just take the time to really reflect. Thanks Terry for sharing such a great resource.
I look forward to more pleasant learning trips through the treasures nestled in the K12 Online 2006 blog!
On another note, please be sure to add your thoughts, resources, post links to the Obstacles to Opportunities wiki. Remember the password is o2o (think “obstacles 2 opportunities.”) And if you have turned an obstacle into an opportunity be sure to share so we can all celebrate!