In a transformative one-day workshop, Social Enterprise Scotland engaged in a facilitated session designed to align their leadership team, board members, and team around a cohesive vision statement and strategic actions. The session served as a unique opportunity for team and board members, many of whom had never met, to connect and engage in collaborative planning for the organisation's future.

Overview & Background

Social Enterprise Scotland, an organisation committed to supporting social enterprises and spreading social entrepreneurial values, faced the challenge of aligning their team and board members around a unified vision and strategy. Recognising the disconnect and the need for cohesive action, a facilitative workshop was planned to address these issues. The goal was to bring together diverse voices from both the leadership team and the board to craft a shared vision and strategise for the organisation's future.

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Objectives

Vision Alignment: To facilitate the leadership team in crafting a clear, concise, and inspiring vision statement for the organisation.

Team and Board Connection: To create an opportunity for team and board members, many of whom hadn't met before, to connect and collaborate.

Strategic Prioritisation: To identify and prioritise key actions for achieving the organisation's objectives.

Collaborative Learning: To foster an environment where participants can openly share insights, concerns, and ideas.

Immediate Action Planning: To leave the workshop with a concrete plan and action steps to start implementing immediately.

Solution

A full-day workshop was organised with carefully planned activities and discussions to achieve the stated objectives.

1. Vision Crafting Session: The day started with a focused session for the leadership team to draft a preliminary vision statement, facilitated by experts in vision alignment.

2. Meet-and-Greet: A structured networking session was organised to allow team and board members to get to know each other, breaking the ice and setting the stage for collaboration.

3. Interactive Activities: A series of group activities were designed to stimulate critical thinking and encourage open dialogue among participants.

4. Strategic Planning: Breakout sessions were conducted to identify key actions, which were then voted on to prioritise for immediate implementation.

5. Closing Session: The day ended with a final review of the vision statement and key strategic actions, ensuring everyone was aligned and committed to the next steps.

Results & Feedback

Unified Vision Statement: A consensus was reached on a vision statement that encapsulates the organisation's aspirations and provides a north star for all future activities.

Enhanced Collaboration: The workshop succeeded in bridging the gap between board members and the team.

Actionable Strategy: A list of prioritised actions was developed, providing a clear roadmap for the immediate future.

Team Cohesion: Participants reported feeling more connected to the organisation and each other, contributing to a more cohesive and motivated team.

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The workshop acted as a catalyst for Social Enterprise Scotland, uniting its team and board around a shared vision and actionable strategy. With newfound clarity and cohesion, the organisation is well-positioned to advance its mission and make a significant impact in the sector.