Study
Groups
GAMA
International Canada is pleased to offer opportunities
for members to participate in Study Groups. The following
provides information on various aspects of Study Groups,
including what they entail, how to create and/or join
one, and details on the experiences of an actual GAMA
Study Group.
NEW!
Leader Forum Program
Introduced
by GAMA U.S., the Leader Forum program involves GAMA
members meeting at specific host offices to participate
in Field Leaders Forum Teleconferences. The teleconferences
provide a springboard for discussion and the sharing
of ideas, like a "mini" study group. Best
of all, we have all the tools you need to get started!
Simply click on the links below to download information
about this program.
November
3 Field Leaders Forum Teleconference Information
Invitiation
to host a listening post & how to get involved
Sample
invitation to invite guests to attend your listening
post
Sample
intro remarks and attendance tracking sheet
Calendar
Listing of all 2005 Field Leaders Forum Teleconferences
For
study group information, simply click on the links
below:
Study
Groups Step by Step
Real-Life
Example: Bruce Field’s Study Group
Study Groups
Step by Step
The
following steps will show you how you might undertake
forming your own Study Group, including the various
factors to take into consideration.
STEP
1: What is the purpose of your Study Group?
Decide
first on what you would like to get out of your group.
You may want to form a general Study Group that meets
to talk about many topics and issues in the industry
(e.g. on a rotating basis), you may wish to keep the
topics and issues focused on one theme (e.g. recruiting),
or you may want to have a group that is made up of
fellow colleagues involved in the CMP designation
program.
STEP
2: What do you want your Study Group to look like?
Depending
on the purpose of your Study Group, you should next
consider the structure you would like to incorporate
into your group. There are several variables to consider,
such as:
Geographic
proximity: You might choose to create a study group
comprised of local managers in your area, allowing
for in-person meetings. Alternatively, you may prefer
to create a “virtual” study group, which
meet through teleconferencing.
Group
members: To enhance the learning experience for everyone,
it is important to establish a study group with a
diverse mix of leaders. It is up to you to determine
how to achieve this. You may wish to create a group
that includes members from any combination of the
following:
-
From your own company
- From
other companies in similar channels of distribution
- From
other companies in different channels of distribution
- In
a similar role to yours (e.g. first line)
- From
different levels of management (first line, second
line, specialist role, etc.)
- In
or near your community
- Anywhere
else in Canada
Issues:
Would you like to meet and interact with group members
who have similar issues to you, or different issues?
This depends on your objectives and what you intend
to get out of your study group.
STEP
3: The Details
Next
you should consider logistical details, such as when
and where you will meet. You may decide to wait until
you have a few committed members before deciding this,
or you can establish this beforehand – it is
up to you. Some things to think about, with examples
provided for each:
- How
often will you meet? (quarterly, bimonthly, monthly)
- Where
will you meet? (group member’s office, rotating
offices of members, external meeting place –
e.g. quiet room at a restaurant - etc.)
- When
will you meet? (breakfast/morning, midday, end of
day, rotating, etc.)
- How
long will meetings last? (one hour, two hours, etc.)
- How
will meetings be structured? (formal/informal, rotating
chair, rotating presentations with Q&A, etc.)
- Will
members be required to attend all meetings? (the
smaller the group, the more important this point
becomes)
- What
topic(s) would you like to talk about?
- How
will any expenses (e.g. food/drink) be paid? (pay
a small fee to a ‘treasurer’ up front,
pay as you go, take turns, etc.)
STEP
4: Find members
You
may already have some potential members in mind, but
consider the value as well in asking people that you
don’t know very well (or at all) to join your
group.
Group
size: This depends on your objectives. A good size
might be around 6-8 members, but you may want to have
more involved in your group to build in some ‘flex’
in case not everyone can attend every meeting.
If
you would like to find members to join your group,
or if you would like to find a group to join, GAMA
Canada can put you in touch with the right people.
Simply send an e-mail to info@gamacanada.com
and indicate your interest in either finding
members for your existing group, or finding a group
to join.
REMEMBER, there are no rules when
it comes to forming your study group – it is
meant to be as flexible as possible!
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