Meetings are the bane of organizational existence. How can you increase the return on investment of all the time and money spent on them? Simple: use a facilitator. What is a facilitator? “To facilitate” means to make something easy. In…
What Will You Not Miss Until It’s Gone?!?
I realize it’s actually impossible to answer the question! Although you can describe it after the fact, you can’t anticipate what you will not miss. This realization came to me this morning as I was walking my dog along a…
OSFI-A Regulator Out of Balance with Credit Union Members! [A]
![OSFI-A Regulator Out of Balance with Credit Union Members! [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/shutterstock_427968202.jpg "OSFI-A Regulator Out of Balance with Credit Union Members! [A]")
Wish I could focus on something else in my posts, but that isn’t likely until the OSFI ruling about credit unions begins to reflect the application of some common sense. So, am I opposed to OSFI in general? Nope! In truth, I appreciate…
What Do OSFI and Donald Trump Have in Common? [A]
![What Do OSFI and Donald Trump Have in Common? [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/IMG_1238-e1500185658818-306x205.jpg "What Do OSFI and Donald Trump Have in Common? [A]")
No, this is not a riddle. Nor is it a joke. Nor is it simply a way to get your attention so you’ll read this article. My observation (albeit from a distance) is that both seem to have unbridled power…
Making Sense of Regulatory Senselessness! [A]
![Making Sense of Regulatory Senselessness! [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Slide1-306x205.jpg "Making Sense of Regulatory Senselessness! [A]")
The craziness with OSFI’s* ridiculously restrictive ruling regarding Canadian credit unions’ use of certain words is gaining more widespread attention. My need for affiliation with this cause compels me to comment once again. I must first declare I’m a credit union…
Federal Regulatory Stupidity, Bullying or Both? [A]
![Federal Regulatory Stupidity, Bullying or Both? [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/lsidf7-crop-600x338-306x205.jpg "Federal Regulatory Stupidity, Bullying or Both? [A]")
Hard to tell. Likely both. What am I referring to? Credit Unions will soon be unable to use the terms “bank”, “banker” or “banking” based on a ruling by OSFI (the federal Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions).…
Beauty in the Beast! [A]
![Beauty in the Beast! [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/335A4871-1.jpg "Beauty in the Beast! [A]")
[Contrast Alert] This reflection is of quite a different nature than what I’ve posted previously . . . reader beware! I’m composing this “episode” having just returned from watching Beauty and the Beast with my daughter. I thoroughly enjoyed the…
What’s Up With Those Canadian Banks?!? [A]
![What’s Up With Those Canadian Banks?!? [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Banks-306x205.jpg "What’s Up With Those Canadian Banks?!? [A]")
Unless you’ve had your head in the sand or your ears plugged recently, you’re likely aware of the coverage CBC has been providing on the concerns and complaints they’ve received from frontline employees and managers of TD Bank. It started…
Can the Phoenix of Straight Answers Rise from the Ashes of Obfuscation? [A]
![Can the Phoenix of Straight Answers Rise from the Ashes of Obfuscation? [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Phoenix-306x205.jpg "Can the Phoenix of Straight Answers Rise from the Ashes of Obfuscation? [A]")
In the wake of the current and virtually incessant use of the terms “fake news” and “alternative facts”, I will temporarily sidestep that controversy and focus on the challenge of getting a straight answer. By straight answer, I mean “honest,…
Using an External Facilitator–Why Bother?!? [A]
![Using an External Facilitator–Why Bother?!? [A]](https://www.davidgouthro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Emcee-e1488755996991-306x205.jpg "Using an External Facilitator–Why Bother?!? [A]")
I recently sent out a three question survey to approximately 40 clients who have used external facilitators. My purpose was to develop a better understanding of their reasons and rationale for using an external facilitator . . . rather than…