For some reason the seminar was better this time

My two day seminar on continuing education this month was the best received of my four trips to Russia.

I'm trying to figure out why.  Perhaps:

Generational differences.
   For the first time, almost all of the participants were Gen Xers, aged 25 to 40.  We even had one Gen Y person, aged 24, who walked up to my computer and took a picture of the PowerPoint slide with her cell phone, which I thought was terrific! 
  It did not appear that Russians use the generational term "Gen X," yet the generational differences seemed just as apparent as here in the U.S.

  During the seminar, a Baby Boomer administrator sat in for awhile, and asked a number of skeptical questions before leaving (thank goodness).  In my previous seminars, I think the audience was primarily Boomers.  In Russia that generation wants a straight lecture - - no questions, no group interaction.  During my first trip four years ago someone actually told the others to stop asking questions. 

  This time people engaged in a group exercise (writing testimonials), showed everyone else their web sites, and even wished for some small group discussion.  I was impressed. 

   It was also apparent that continuing education in Russia is technologically as advanced as in the U.S., with email promotions and some sophisticated web sites.

((picture is of me doing seminar in Moscow))

Comments

[Darlene Cullimore]

Bill, I was fascinated when I read Nine Shift, because it captured in words and presented a convincing rationale for the feelings I have had for a long time about organizational work. I am, you could say, a "Nine Shift-er" -- my reasons for choosing (moving to) Kingston have to do with its being a smaller, more accessible community, and my new house is within walking or bike-riding distance of my friends and the various amenities. I will take the train to travel to Ottawa and Toronto, and of course work from home, connected by technology to all my many friends and contacts in Winnipeg as well as elsewhere. I am even discussing the idea of linking with other networks to take on national projects. I am really looking forward to this "next phase".