MSOD616

Practicum 1: Lyon Reflection Paper

Amanda Perkey

REFELECTION PAPER LYON PRACTICUM

Overall, the clients goals of increasing motivation and involvement of

the project teams; providing recommendations for information access
and distribution; as well as a gaining a deeper understanding of how
external partners fit into the big picture of cross-functional teams were
met through our deliverables presentation deck, charter templates
for the steering committee and team; a template for team effective
reviews; and model to help determine key external partners.
The major factors that impacted the methods and outcomes
were: limited data access - data gathering was limited to the Internet,
prior knowledge and our one client at Monsanto France, Madame Alex
Cadet. While the client gave us detailed information and clear data for
contracting, we did not have access to the steering committee, other
employees or the leaders of the task groups. Additionally, our client
has a clear focus on France. If the transition to cross-functioning teams
is successful within this one division of Oil Seed Rape then the
company would expand further in Europe, Asia, etc. Cross-functioning
teams has been implemented in the United States but we were not
privy to that data. Last, our recommendations to meet the goals were
based on limited knowledge and experience with large system change,
parallel structures and cross-functioning teams. With that last
statement, I believe in the products we delivered and know based on
our clients feedback our team was extremely helpful and thoughtful.

A few obvious considerations that would have improved the

project include: time, experience and additional resources. Time to ask
more questions, meet other key stakeholders, prepare a enrichment
toolkit; experience with large system interventions, parallel structures
and cross-functioning teams. The deliverables were sufficient but to
take it to the next level would have kicked it up just enough. Even with
considerations for the project, I believe our team met the goals with
the best methods to produce a solid outcome for Monsanto.
I had a great experience consulting in Lyon on Monsanto. I colead with Sarah Rowe during the initial client meeting and contracting.
After the client meeting, during data analysis and creating of the
deliverables I was a fully, engaged team member to support all angles
and most specifically external partnerships. For the final meeting with
the client I was one of three people who presented as well as fielded
questions from the client. My behaviors as well as reactions or lack
there of to triggers like time constraints, length of work days or lack of
sleep have improved since Parajo. I made sure to bring my Wise Self to
every moment I could. Additionally, I played the humor role to loosen
the mood or tension when it was appropriate. I have learned when to
turn that on and off to support the group positively to move us forward.
Skills that I am continually developing that directly reflect to the
group work are patience, direct communication, non-apologetic

phrases (tendency to over apologize for no justifiable reason), active

listening, dynamic attention especially when fatigued or frustrated.
This consulting experience truly opened my eyes, heart and mind
to my emerging point of view. Within MSOD specifically, I was always
very apologetic or dismissive of my point of view or thoughts "because
I didn't have experience" or some other excuse. This trip I was able to
emerge with a more holistic point of view in order to adapt to
situations, other people and myself. I took the mantras Miriam
presented at beginning - It Will All Be OK and It Is Not Necessary To
React - to heart and applied them everyday. So much of my
expectations were built on doing something so perfectly. My point of
view has changed. It doesn't have to be perfect. It can be right for the
client based on research and no prior experience simply by working
together, asking questions, drilling deeper toward the issue,
remembering the business reason for making change and following my
intuition.