Workshops
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Workshops

Our Services

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Capacity-building workshops

Dialogue-based workshops help groups identify beliefs and values that influence team interaction. Through structured dialogue and associated co-creation activities, Toolbox workshops enhance the capacity of groups to coordinate their activities and achieve their project objectives.

Strategic planning workshops

We also deliver dialogue-based workshops that help organizations think about their values and priorities, identifying similarities and differences that inform strategic planning. With these workshops, we assist partner organizations in developing their mission and vision statements.

group discussion workshop
photo of woman leading a discussion session

Communication support

TDI provides data-based communication support for partner organizations and projects, gathering information through surveys about internal communication dynamics. With this information, TDI helps partners identify strengths and weaknesses in communication within their group and work toward a positive communication culture.

Workshop Types

TDI runs different types of workshops depending on the needs of our partner. Workshop types vary from low-cost one-time virtual options to custom-designed sets of in-person workshops distributed over the life of a project. All workshops can be in-person or virtual. Workshop fees vary and are available on request.

  • Standard

    • Advance workshop prep
    • Use of previously developed instrument
    • In-person workshop facilitation including: dialogue session(s) (accommodates up to 15 people with 1 facilitator needed per dialogue session) and co-creation activity (if desired)
    • Brief (1-2 page) workshop report

  • Tailored

    • Advance workshop prep
    • Customized instrument development
    • In-person workshop facilitation including: dialogue session(s) (accommodates up to 15 people with 1 facilitator needed per dialogue session) and co-creation activity (if desired)
    • Detailed workshop report

  • Contract

    • Negotiated based on the needs of the client
    • Includes multiple dialogue sessions

The Process

All workshops involve preparatory work with partners and follow-up from TDI. For an individual, tailored workshop, the process involves five steps:

Step 1

Mutual learning

Gather information from the partner that informs workshop elements and the design of the Toolbox instrument used to structure the dialogue

Step 2

Collaborative design

Develop the workshop elements iteratively with the partner

Step 3

Workshop delivery

Deliver a workshop with structured dialogue and co-creation activities developed for the partner

Step 4

Your Results

Prepare a report that contains observations of the workshop elements and recommendations for the partner

Step 5

Next Steps

Meet with the partner to discuss the report and identify next steps for implementing recommendations

  • “While we had a sense that our program was being successful, the Toolbox workshops provided data, and gave us a better sense of where to go next.”

    - Dr. Fred GouldWilliam Neal Reynolds Professor of Agriculture, Co-Director, Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University

  • “Through holding workshops at each of the project meetings and conducting communication surveys, the Toolbox team has offered a philosophical and reflective platform to raise awareness of the project partners’ values, motivations, understanding of their roles and communication style.”

    - Dr. Urs SchaffnerHead, Ecosystems Management, CABI Europe-Switzerland

  • "I strongly support the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative team and recommend them as wonderful partners in any interdisciplinary research enterprise.”

    - Dr. Erik Goodman Director, BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, Michigan State University

  • “Our work with the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative is helping us advance our mission and we look forward to a growing partnership in the future.”

    - Dr. Douglas BuhlerDirector, MSU AgBioResearch, Assistant Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies, Michigan State University

Workshops Conducted In

23

States

14

Countries

6

Continents

Evidence of Effectiveness

In 2017, TDI workshop programming was evaluated by the Western Michigan Evaluation Center, yielding a report represented by these infographics. The full report is available upon request.

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Collaboration & Communication Infographic

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Learning & Application Infographic

graphic of the what is the toolbox worksheet

What is the Toolbox Dialogue Initiative Infographic

Interested in a Workshop?

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