Helping People and Organizations Manage the Future

Managing the Whirlwind: Health Care in a New Century
Over the last two decades predictions about the future have never been quite what was predicted. At issue is how we can tell the difference between fads and trends. The mantra during times of change is that forecasts are essential while predictions often get you in trouble.

The challenge is to understand the characteristics of emerging issues and how to assess future possibilities.

Learning from the future is increasingly important: Michael Annison's presentation focuses on ways to assess emerging trends and a description of trends that will affect us all.

Trust Matters: New Dimensions in Leadership
Changes in customer and employee expectations have made trust as, or more, important as it has ever been. Michael Annison's presentation is based on the book Trust Matters co-authored with Dan Wilford, the recently retired President of the Memorial Hermann Health Care System in Houston, Texas.

Customers have higher expectations; emerging technologies have led to change and competition among and between vendors, their clients and companies in even companies in different industries: General Motors, for example, is one of the nation's largest banks.

The presentation focuses on 1) what trust is; 2) why it matters; 3) barriers to building trusting relationships and 4) how Boards, executives and staff can develop trusting relationships to deal constructively with the challenges they face.

Governance in the Cross Hairs
Bankruptcies, lawsuits, scandals and prison terms never used to be part of the business landscape - now, sadly, they are. The fact now is that Boards and how they operate has never been more important in part because they set the tone for entire organization.

There are three issues. First, how to develop effective Boards and identify the characteristics of effective trustees; second, how to develop effective arrangements that enable Boards to do their work and provide strong leadership during turbulent times; and third, how to comply with legislative requirements.

Michael Annison's presentation lays it out for Boards interested in how they can continue to improve governance and lead the organization.

Great Organizations
In every field there are dramatic differences between high performing organizations and others in the field. The question is why: what is it that distinguishes Wal-Mart from Kmart, Kroger from the Great Atlantic and Pacific Company (A&P), Wells Fargo form other financial service institutions and great health care organizations from the others.

Michael Annison's presentation focuses on what we have learned about outstanding organizations and how they operate. He discusses their fundamental characteristics and then more specifically what they do that distinguish them from their colleagues.

Organizing for Good
For the last hundred years organizational leaders have made decisions based on the principles of scientific management developed by Frederick Taylor in the early part of the last century. Now, observers as diverse as Edwards Deming, Michael Hammer and Gary Hamel have suggested these ideas have outlived their usefulness. Michael Annison's presentation outlines what how 'organizing for good' is different form scientific management and what it take for managers and organizations to be successful in the future.

The presentation is based on Mr. Annison's forthcoming book.

People Matter - Rethinking How We Manage
In the early 1900s the managers believed workers 'ought to do what they're told and do it quick.' The population was growing and there were always people willing to take the place of people of workers who weren't willing to 'do as they were told.

That was then; this is now: good employees are hard to replace and an organization's work force is one of its most important assets. The challenge is think about these new realities means fpr how we manage.

Michael Annison's presentation describes changes in how we think about people and what it will take to manage effectively now and in the future.

Client Comments

"You exemplify excellence! Our members asked that you come back and share your insights and thoughts with them and they again gave you high marks on your presentation."
Statewide system executive

"I am truly grateful for the contribution you made to this strategic planning retreat."
Senior hospital executive

"I agreed 100% with the comment, "Annison set the stage - pulled the conference together very well."
State hospital association executive

"Your remarks Monday morning gave us a the perfect kick-off for a very robust day and a half of discussion."
National health insurance executive

"We have heard so many positive comments from our hospital members regarding your presentation."
State hospital association executive

"I thought Michael Annison was the best of the conference."
Health system trustee

Michael Annison’s ability to listen, challenge and bring his experience to bear on client issues have made him an outstanding facilitator and speaker.

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