Introduction

 

by Loretta L. Donovan, Gabriel Shirley and Sue Anderson Derby

There appears to be a compelling resemblance between that latent, untapped state of energy, called potential, and this moment in time for
Appreciative Inquiry. The power of AI is ready to be transformed, amplifying generative change through the infusion of new media and online technologies.
In this issue of AI Practitioner, we will venture into the domain of technology. We will offer you the chance to investigate the possibilities for digitally collecting, sharing, visualizing, reflecting and collectively understanding within AI, sometimes as adjuncts to face-to-face engagements, at others exclusively using the internet.

Now read on.....! (Free download in Acrobat format)

In this article we explore four technology-enabled models that are being applied to AI processes and envision how the underlying tools and principles of these models will continue to contribute to the future of the field. We describe how a variety of online conferences have facilitated global gatherings and discuss how technology is augmenting traditional AI summits as well as transforming the process by engaging entire
organizational systems. Finally, we consider how opportunities for AI training are expanding where people are now able to learn the principles and practice of AI through instructor-led online workshops and seminars.

Digital Dialogues: Enriched Discovery for a Leadership Development Cohort

by Anne L. Drabczyk

Jefferson Wells, a subsidiary of Manpower, is a global professional services firm specializing in finance, accounting, tax, and technology risk management. In early 2005, a new leadership team joined the Detroit Office, introducing AI principles into the existing culture. In 2006, SOAR was integrated into the strategic planning process. From 2005 through 2008, the Detroit office doubled in revenue and profits. Employee turnover
decreased from 32% to 7%.By the end of 2008, the office led the firm in every major metric. The AI paradigm, combined with a caring team and great clients, created the positive momentum leading to the success.

Using Technology: An Appreciative Paradigm of Learning in Online Courses

by Carol Anger Richmond

This article describes how online course features, email and cell phones were used to collect
stories for a research study on learning persistence and success in online community college courses. This technology-based AI experience helped the field of online learning understand best practices for student retention, learning and success. It also showed that technology can be used to build relationships, gather reflections and share insights, and to develop the social construction of meaning. AI conversations helped build our knowledge
of how online courses can be used for learning and transformation.

Meaning Making in Real Time: Igniting the Fire Over the Wire

 
by Roselyn Kay, Tony Silbert and David Styers

The application of Appreciative Inquiry and the SOAR framework is assisting the United States Army’s leaders with accomplishing business transformation and sustainability goals. Business transformation directly impacts army organizations responsible for the acquisition of supplies and services, logistics and facilities management. The army has challenged its leadership at all levels to develop innovative methods to achieve sustainability goals while incorporating innovative best business practices. Appreciative methods are optimal where business transformation and sustainability efforts converge. The implementation of appreciative methods in transformation planning activities will enable innovative solutions by engaging the whole system in positive constructive dialogue.

Healthcare Seeks to Enhance the Power of Story through On-line Appreciative Inquiry Interviews

 
by Jeannette Aschenbrenner

The trend toward adopting sustainable development practices in Chemical Management
Services (CMS) businesses is growing. This article presents examples of organizations that have successfully implemented practices based on Chris Lazslo’s (2008) new book, Sustainable Value. The role of trust and relationship development in the green supply chain with an emphasis on Chemical Management Services (CMS) is reviewed. The use of SOAR as a guiding appreciative strategy framework to develop the required trust and
relationships to implement sustainable development practices is discussed. My conclusions on how the appreciative paradigm frameworks can move an organization from status quo to sustainability end the article.

Using the Web to Support Organic Development of the European AI Network

by Leif Josefsson and Lena Holmberg

Is it possible to achieve being a 'vibrant community', connecting and combining, if there are only a couple of meetings per year with little contact between? Internet-based tools can provide an extension to physical meetings. Technology makes it possible for members to review, reflect and respond in their own time. The future of the network lies in the combination of energy-filled meetings and tools to support its growth, with technology supporting whatever direction the network wants to take.

by Pascal Kaplan

As collaborative technologies have matured in the past decade, dramatically dissolving time and space as external barriers to human communication, AI practitioners have started to explore the possibilities of using such technologies to enhance the impact that Appreciative Inquiry can have in dissolving internal and social barriers to human collaboration and cooperation. This article describes how a variety of technologies are being integrated into a design that aims to give rise to the largest social responsibility summit ever held and break new ground with the AI Summit method.

CrowdSourcing: Self-organized Discovery through Chaordic Organization

by Gabriel Shirley

The emergence of social networking technologies has opened a new area of exploration for the Appreciative Inquiry Discovery process. It is now possible to invite hundreds,
thousands or even millions of people to participate. In August 2007, at the Story Field Conference in Colorado, I invited people to participate in a CrowdSourcing experiment, which helped inspire a subgroup of participants to begin the Tell-A-Vision initiative. The potential of CrowdSourcing is vast. The challenge is weaving technologies together with
enough structure to enable creative participation without inflexibility or complexity.