The Challenge!
We are all overloaded with information coming at us. Most of us belong to multiple groups that we never visit. Then we have our own newsletters, blogs, social networks. Why another community?
Assessments is big business. It is really hard to get any kind of generic answer. Either someone is “pushing” their favourite instrument or they really haven’t a clue. Segments of our profession – coaches, trainers, consultants and HR professionals have limited vehicles for cross sharing. But, we have so much to learn from one another. For the past 10 years, I have tried to provide sensible answers to coaches, trainers, consultants and HR professionals about the use and misuse of assessments.
This is about giving value not finding value. (Pay it forward.)
Here are some of my assumptions:
- You don’t have to use assessments to be a great coach, trainer or consultant.
- Assessments may enhance what you do or be a big distraction.
- No one instrument is better than another – just different.
- Sometimes a simple tool is more effective that a robust one. Sometimes not.
- An assessment should never supersede the goals or needs of the client.
My Vision
Let me share a little of my why I do what I do. I think as professionals we can do a much better job at presenting and using assessments with our clients. I want to raise the standard of professionalism. I believe all of us want our clients to receive the best of what we do. To this end, I wanted create a repository of information, a list of “experts” that members could find when and if they needed it. I believe the market place is “big enough” for all of us. I don’t even care if members promote their services and products – as long as they are clear about intent and post it in the designated forum.
You are the instrument for change not the assessment.
My Request
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I couldn’t do it alone. I need your help to build this resource of both material and human knowledge. I am a realist. I know that less than 10% actively become involved in communities. You don’t have to do anything. Just belong because you also think we need this kind of community. If you want to be active, all the better. I am always on the look out of impartial “experts”. Please help spread the word about the network to your colleagues. I want all vendors of assessments, all types of assessments and all users to feel welcomed.
My Personal Guarantee
Membership in the general community network will ALWAYS be free as long as I manage it.
I promise not to use the community list to sell you anything. (There is a forum topic where individuals can post their products freely and without restrictions.) I will be respectful of both your time and information overload by not sending out endless reminders, emails or notices. I will send out maybe an email every two months to remind you about what is available – just so you don’t forget. I will take spamming by myself or anyone else seriously.
Would you like to help share and contribute and learn?
Register Now and Have Full Access to our Forum
Why Free and Paid Membership?
Everyone who registers until the end of 2010 will be considered “Charter Members”. Those who have joined, either already use my assessments, use another instrument or will probably choose a different assessment that I do not offer. There may even be a small group that will never use any assessments and isn’t it great that they participate? Consequently this will not be a money making endeavor for me. And that is OK. The truth is, I am not all that good at making money. I was very good at it once but I have since lost the interest in so doing. However, that is not very practical most of the time.
It is my hope that some Members will share my vision and desire for a cross discipline network of professionals who use assessments. These members will help build and maintain the community not necessarily by participation but by helping me cover administration costs. Early in 2011 I will introduce a “Supporting Member” category with an annual fee of $25.
Side Note: I originally designed the site to provide protected access to my different client base. However, I love communities and networks. I set up an online community group of over 100 OD practitioners in Ottawa, Canada in the mid 90′s until the platform started charging a fee. I was an early adopter of Twitter. I can’t count the LinkedIn or Yahoo or Google groups to which I belong. I always said, if only I could find someone to pay me to go to lunch. Perhaps that is why I like coaching and public speaking.
For more about the Technical Stuff click here.
