A TESTIMONIAL TO ENTREPRENEURIAL GOVERNMENT - KEN WIESNER
Over the past 11 years, my work has taken me to many places and to many different organizations. One of the stories I tell clients is about a Municipality in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. They hear me relate how Pitt Meadows does all sorts of interesting "management stuff".
Considerable surprise is expressed when people learn that "even Council itself" has participated actively in many of the initiatives to support the full development of its human resources potential.
The person who has made this happen by encouraging, cajoling and from some points of view, nagging, is the CAO Ken Wiesner. Ken has managed to say and do what others only talk about. Ken has made it happen and had created an ongoing learning organization.
His major initiative began with hosting a down link site for a series of Entrepreneurial Workshops. This was followed by a cross section of general interest seminars including topics such as "Working with the Media" Resolving /conflict and "Six Thinking Hats TM".
Ken and his colleagues realized that if they opened up the programs to other municipal governments for reasonable fees. Pitt Meadows, although itself, one of the smaller organizations,could stage leading edge events. This created a win win situation for all concerned, not least in encouraging people from other municipalities to meet with each other and share experiences.
Jane Durant, Facilitator for Six Sinking Hats, November 17, 1998