How Solutions are Built

Working closely with you and your group, we help develop creative solutions based on solid data, exploration and analysis, consensus building and action planning.

We have worked with over 500 individual organizations including the Urban Land Institute, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Dallas Bethlehem Center, Bank of America, United to Learn, The Concilio, Ocado Solutions, Oncor, KeHe Distributors, to Dallas ISD, University of Texas at Dallas Ackerman Center, and the University of North Texas.

Community Organization and Local Initiative

Challenge

How do we provide a safe, intergenerational space that includes the arts, education, health, and other social service programs to enhance the lives of people living in Far East Dallas?

Solution

Through Compression Planning, they explored the creation of an early childhood education program that allowed parents to attend programs to learn how to teach their children and children to receive early interventions, cross-cultural awareness programming, financial literacy, and social and emotional health, and a center for civil discourse for all ages.

“We are much more aware of this geographical area and the needed services.”

– Session participant

Exploration of Industry Needs

Challenge

How might we create collaborations with industry, linking employers and strategic partners to train and place employees in high value, high-need jobs?

Solution

Through focus groups and compression planning sessions, entities came together to build grant proposals and training programs that would encompass multiple strategic partners from adult education to workforce boards to business alliances and chambers to build coalitions to solve real needs in the industry, while leading the way to reach underserved communities, providing new opportunities in skills development for the region.

“We are creating careers, not just jobs.”

– Industry representative

Industry Partner and School District

Challenge

How can regional industry provide students professional preparation and promote successful workplace readiness?

Solution

Through more than 100 customized planning solutions, industry partners have explored a variety of engagement and involvement activities from guiding students into the working world to job shadowing and paid internship opportunities.

“Our focus will be on hiring local community college graduates.”

– Industry representative

Convening Dallas College

Challenge

How might we create a values statement that shapes the future of Dallas College's culture and community?

Solution

Through the Words That Matter World Café session series, employees came together to start a dialogue centered on what matters most in our work at Dallas College. Using markers and crayons to jot words and drawings on paper, employees shared their thoughts and ideas both at and across each of the session's multiple blended table groups, where joy, excitement, sincerity and a sense of belonging fostered great insights. Value words and descriptors were captured and collected to ensure all voices were heard and could contribute to the crowdsourced values statement, reviewed by leadership and presented to the Board of Trustees.

“Faculty, staff and administrators all shared their perspectives, at the same table, together.”

– Dallas College Employee