Crucial Insights

CRUCIAL INSIGHTS

A Residential Conference at Ridley Hall, Cambridge 30 March – 1 April 2007

THE RIDLEY HALL FOUNDATION

CRUCIAL INSIGHTS

Information

In 1997 the Ridley Hall Foundation sponsored a conference entitled Christians in Consultancy, which inspired the formation of an ongoing group of consultants which has subsequently met three times a year at Ridley Hall. Membership of that group has grown since, and there are now many consultants who have benefited from the group’s times of discussion, study of issues facing consultants, mutual support and prayer.

While hoping to continue in this vein, the time now appears to be ripe for a more ambitious agenda to build on the work of the last 10 years; to take a higher profile; and to provide more support, both to consultants as Christians and to Christians in their role as consultants.

Crucial Insights takes its name from the web-based network we established (see www.crucialinsights.org.uk). This conference aims to share some crucial insights in raising and addressing many of the challenges currently facing consultants.

The conference looks at three major themes: Why the work of consultants merits particular examination and the advantages of a professional group in doing this What the issues facing consultants are and what experience exists to address them How consultants might live out their professional lives honouring their Christian faith We hope that the conference will encourage those who attend to be part of our new mission, just as the 1997 conference was a spur to those who have been part of the group in the intervening period.

The Ridley Hall Foundation has a proven record, established over the last 17 years, of running enjoyable, participative and productive conferences on topical and important issues in the business world. These take place in the attractive setting of Ridley Hall Theological College and within the context of Christian worship.

CRUCIAL INSIGHTS

Programme

Friday 30 March 6.00 pm 7.00 pm 8.00 pm 8.15 pm

9.30 pm

Registration Supper Welcome Keynote session: Why Christians in Consultancy?

Calvert Markham Are there predicaments facing consultants different from those that face business people in general? What are the insights of Christians in Consultancy looking back?

What is current and projected experience? Is there a specific Christian experience in a consulting firm and as a consultant? What activities are going on in this sector?

Calvert Markham is a Past President of the Institute of Management Consultancy and Director of Consultancy Skills Training Ltd. Close

Saturday 31 March 8.00 am 8.30 am 9.00 am

Breakfast Morning worship Being a Christian consultant – The work that you do Andrew Mayo How can you tell that a project is aligned with God's purposes? How do you approach working with clients whose 'missions' or culture appear 'unethical'? Should you say no to work that you do not believe is a good way for the organisation to spend its money? How does a Christian spirit affect our views on competition?

Andrew poses some dilemmas to explore and to stimulate the exchange of views and experience.

10.00 am 10.45 am 11.15 am

12.15 pm 1.00 pm 4.00 pm 4.30 pm

5.30 pm 6.30 pm 7.45 pm

8.45 pm

Andrew Mayo is Director of Mayo International Learning Ltd and Professor of Human Capital Management at Middlesex University.

Group discussion Morning coffee Being a Christian consultant – Commercial aspects Phil Taylor Is honest marketing an oxymoron? When does confidence in our claims become deception over our doubts? Handling Copyright and Intellectual Property issues; settling on the right price to charge for our advice; deciding when charity is appropriate and when to say no. We will delve into the dilemmas and pursue practical solutions.

Phil Taylor is Consulting Director of Profound Solutions Ltd and former Head of Project Management at Digital Equipment Company.

Group discussion Lunch followed by free time and opportunity for networking Afternoon tea Succeeding in a World of Clashing Loyalties Prabhu Guptara Believers have two sets of loyalties: a penultimate loyalty, to employers and clients who pay us to do a job, and an ultimate loyalty to God. In the resulting dilemmas, Professor Guptara contends that many Christian consultants compromise both God and their clients. He puts forward some controversial theses with a view to remedying the situation.

Prabhu Guptara is Executive Director of Organisation Development at Wolfsberg, a subsidiary of UBS. He speaks at universities, business schools and companies all round the world.

Group discussion Supper The War Zone: A Contest for Hearts and Minds Beverley Shepherd Whilst the whole Christian life can be depicted as a battle, our work is often where the fighting is most intense. There is a clash of kingdoms and the ground of our hearts, minds, time and focus are all keenly contested. Consultants, though not alone in this, face unique temptations and trials. Taking a journey through Egypt, the desert and the Promised Land we will seek to understand the battle and arm ourselves for the fight.

Beverley Shepherd is Director of Contact Training Consultancy, specialising in leadership, team building and stress management.

Group discussion

Sunday 1 April 8.30 am 9.00 am

10.00 am 11.00 am 11.30 am 1.00 pm

Breakfast Strength in Numbers Richard Higginson Consultants are frequently by nature soloists and outsiders. But there is much to be gained through association. Is there need for a resource for Christian consultants beyond what is already available? Were a new Christians in Consultancy group to be formed, what would its remit be?

Is this conference a good place to launch such a common interest group?

Richard Higginson is Director of the Ridley Hall Foundation. He lectures in ethics and leadership at Ridley Hall and is co-editor of the quarterly journal Faith in Business.

Discussion: the way ahead Morning coffee Closing worship including Eucharist Lunch and depart

CRUCIAL INSIGHTS

Registration

The cost of attending the conference residentially is £225. The non-residential rate is £175.

Name Address

Work: Home:

Telephone Fax Email Occupation Organisation Special dietary requirements

I shall attend. Please tick appropriate accommodation requirements: Residential Non-residential I should like to book an en-suite room at an extra cost of £35 (subject to availability)

I enclose a non-returnable £50 deposit, payable to the ‘Ridley Hall Foundation’.

Signed:

Date

Final date for receipt of applications 28 February 2007 Please detach or photocopy form and return to: Janine Stewart, Ridley Hall Foundation Administrator, Ridley Hall, Cambridge, CB3 9HG Tel: +44 (0)1223 741082 ~ Fax: +44 (0)1223 741081 Email: jmps2@cam.ac.uk Registered Charity No 311456