TEchNOLOGy TRaNSFER MODEL - Javna agencija
TEchNOLOGy TRaNSFER MODEL - Javna agencija
TEchNOLOGy TRaNSFER MODEL - Javna agencija
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KNOWLEDGE FOR BUSINESS IN BORDER REGIONS<br />
3.7 Group process and group mind<br />
3.7.1 What is a group and a group process<br />
I am sure that we all remember taking part in different games as children. Being<br />
part of a group enabled us to have (more) fun, and also to learn from each other.<br />
Together with other children it was much easier or even possible to climb a tree<br />
or move a small truck from a playground – something we would have not found<br />
feasible alone.<br />
Nay the letters of a word TEAM (which is not the exactly the same as a group<br />
– roles of the members are much more defined in a team than in a group) mean:<br />
Together Everyone Achieves More.<br />
So, what is a group, what a group process and why it is worthy to work/ be<br />
part of a group?<br />
A group consists of individuals who with clearly defined goals and expectations consciously take part in a group process. Group<br />
members believe that with group work they will be able to reach a set goal more easily (than by themselves), and that each individual<br />
disposes of intellectual capital and willingness, which will help reach the set goal more efficiently.<br />
A group process is a procedure by which a group systematically advances toward the set goal. The goal itself is usually a selection<br />
of idea solutions for a specific problem or achieving consensus about the suggested solution. In accordance with the desired goal and<br />
expressed needs of group members a facilitator chooses methods and techniques of group work.<br />
What are the main reasons that we engage ourselves in different groups (work environments, clubs, associations, peer groups,<br />
project groups etc.)?<br />
• We cannot achieve everything we desire by ourselves.<br />
• Nobody is an island – we, human beings, are social beings.<br />
• More people know more – we rely on group wisdom (experience, skills, capabilities, social network)<br />
• In a group is much nicer than by oneself.<br />
• If I cannot, there must be somebody within the group who can/who knows.<br />
• We are stronger, faster and more efficient as a group.<br />
• We are all part of a chain.<br />
• Only together we can achieve certain goals.<br />
However, there are not only advantages of being a group member or working in a group. Here are some issues of group features<br />
which have to be taken into considerations:<br />
• Individuals, forming a group, differ in various aspects: they have different values, expectations, beliefs, experience, education …<br />
They origin in different cultural, corporate, institutional, technological, educational etc. backgrounds.<br />
• Group members also differ in terms of gender, social and economic status, age, profession.<br />
• The individuals also differ in their learning styles, personalities (MBTI, representational systems, SDI – Strength Deployment Inventory,<br />
…).<br />
• Different people have also different needs, expectations, preferences, interests, hopes and also concerns, fears, frustrations …<br />
• The more difference in the group, the more possibility of conflicts.<br />
• More people, more ideas – sometimes it is not at all easy to consider and appreciate each of them – some people may feel disregarded.<br />
• When there is a group, there might be a tendency to conformity and polarization.<br />
• Some group members can become very aggressive if their values are for any reasons violated.<br />
• ….<br />
3.8 Facilitator’s core roles, (special) skills and competences for facilitating knowledge transfer<br />
Here are some ideas about competences a TTF should have, collected by the participants at the 3 rd module – training for Technology<br />
Transfer Facilitators:<br />
RECOGNISE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS, OPEN-MINDED, GOOD COMMUNICATION, COOLNESS, TECHNICAL BACKGROUND, BELIEVE IN NET-<br />
WORKING, HARD FACTS, FOCUSED ON GOALS, RESPECT DIFFERENT CULTURES, MEDIATOR, LOGICAL THINKING, NOT BIG EGO, SOFT SKILLS,<br />
SELF-CONFIDENT, TEAMPLAYER, BASIC BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE, KNOWING MARKET RULES, GOOD LANGUAGE.<br />
And in the continuation some extra ideas by myself:<br />
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