Partnering Tools for Successful Engagement and Collaboration

Robert Czerny
Michael Marta

Engagement and collaboration are attractive so long as benefits exceed costs and risks can be managed. Best partnering practices allow that to be the case. This workshop will put two main tools in participants’ hands: a list of ten key decision factors for partnering; and a schematic model that clarifies the relationship between partners, the results expected from their collaboration, and the elements that need to be monitored. These tools apply to all types of partnering that a real property manager might encounter. Construction and building operations are only part of the picture. Among other forms are shared services and facilities, engagement with the surrounding community, participation in events, and corporate sponsorship of facilities and programs. The workshop will allow participants to share their experience and challenges and to apply the partnering tools to the types of engagement and collaboration that are of greatest interest to them.

This workshop is for leaders, managers and other personnel throughout the organization. Senior leaders commit their organization to working with partners. Policy and program managers find and promote collaboration opportunities. Corporate services (contracting, legal, procurement, communications, evaluation) play specialized support roles.

Whatever your position in your organization’s partnering, the workshop will develop your capacity for planning partnership strategically and for managing the internal and external environments to make the partnership a success. Special note for federal government registrants: The workshop relates to two of the Key Leadership Competencies of the Government of Canada, (1) Strategic thinking: Analysis and Ideas, and (2) Engagement: People, Organizations, Partners.

Intentional Leadership

Franklin Holtforster, B.Sc., P.Eng, PMP, LEED AP, President and CEO, MHPM Project Managers Inc.

MHPM’s President and CEO Franklin Holtforster believes clients are looking for more than an effective project manager. They want a leader. Luckily leadership skills can be taught. During this workshop, Franklin will show attendees how to be an intentional leader. He will provide tangible skills that participants can incorporate into their job. He will cover presentation skills, communication skills – including email, leading teams and meetings intentionally and effectively, and more. But more importantly this is a hands-on workshop where everyone will have an opportunity to try and get valuable feedback. Communicating intentionally contributes significantly to being seen as an effective leader in any organization, regardless of role or function.

All of Franklin’s training participants walk away inspired and motivated. More often than not they comment: It is the best in-class training!

Understanding and Identifying P3 Potential

Naresh Debidin, Director, Business Development, PPP Canada
Carol Beaulieu, Director, Investment, PPP Canada

Does your project have the potential to be a public-private partnership (P3)?

First off, what is a P3? With the Government’s creation of a P3 Screen in Budget 2011, understanding P3s has become a necessary part of every capital planner’s tool kit. This one-day course will provide an introduction to the world of P3s with a goal of the participants leaving the course with an understanding what defines a P3, how to go about identifying whether your project might make a viable P3. Potential topics could include:

• What is (and what isn’t) a P3;
• Differences between a P3 approach and traditional procurement;
• Understanding the characteristics and benefits of P3 procurement;
• How do P3s fit in the existing policy environment; and,
• Applying knowledge through a case study approach - CSEC & IO Corrections Project.

Conflict Management

David Jones, Project Manager, Community and Corporate Planning, Niagara Region

Conflict is a part of life. But well-managed conflict can produce benefits and positive changes, both in productivity and relationships. Communication skills, specifically the ability to communicate assertively, are among the best skills to acquire for dealing effectively with the demands of people in conflict with us, whether they are employees, colleagues, our managers or our clients.

In the workplace, whether we are in a position of authority or not, we need to manage our interactions with people. We need to know what power is and how to use it: to negotiate, to express our ideas clearly so people will listen to us, even if they don't agree with us; to stand up for our convictions, even when they are unpopular; and to deal with the emotions created by situations of conflict.

At this workshop you will practice what you learn to enable you to apply the skills more readily when you return to your workplace. You are encouraged to bring examples of situations you would like to resolve.