I participated in such a course with my former employer ( a global company), and I have to say it was one of the most interesting trainings that I participated in during my tenure. The key.. it was very interactive!! It included PPT, videos, discussions, breakout groups, games..etc. I lasted 2 days, but at the end, we had a detailed understanding of the company infrastruture,and working knowledge of its divsions.

Hi AASW:

Rummler & Brache in their book Improving Performance, How to Manage the White Space on the Organization Chart (ISBN: 0-7879-0090-7) they use what is called a “relationship map”. This is a pictorial of how the various departments / functions within an organization fit together in order to meet the demands of the market place. I would suggest you develop such a map with the 20 departments. Begin with the departments that help supply the resources/inputs into your organization and end with the departments that distribute the outputs. The function of each department could be discussed as you move through the organization.

This uses the cognitive strategy of mapping and will give the students an opportunity to see the big picture as well as see how the department they will be working in fits in. You can use a “day in the life” of your product from beginning (input) to end (output). You could even get creative and have twists in the life of how your product can get lost or stalled.

Good Luck.

LizT great Idea, it keeps the people alive and well, taking it one step further from the questionaires, is to get the people that research a department to present back to the orientation group what they found.

Alternatively, contact a member from each department and give them 15 - 20 minutes to 'Sell' their department to the group? It works at Sun City in South Africa.

Darryn