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Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: Date: December 2, 2008
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Organizational Development and Training Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and
execute an amendment in the amount of $20,000 to the professional services contract
with Glaser &. Associates; Inc. to provide organizational development and training
services for the Big Blue Bus' Supervisory Team ih FY2008-09 for a new contract
amount of $125,000.
Executive Summary
Over the past two years, training to improve on the skills and abilities of staff has been a
priority. Glaser & Associates, Inc. has worked with the City to provide organizational
development and training services for the City's Executive and Leadership Teams as
well as other workgroups and departments within the City. The City has used Glaser &
Associates, Inc. for specific training in "Breakthrough Conflict" and "Hardwiring
Teamwork," with positive results. The continued services of Glaser & Associates, Inc.
are required in order to provide. the "Breakthrough Conflict" and "Hardwiring Teamwork"
to the recently hired supervisors within the Big Blue Bus to provide guidance in effective
communication that will enrich the culture of the organization and have an overall
impact on performance. Funds for Glaser & Associates, Inc.'s services are available in
the adopted budget.
Discussion
Glaser & Associates, Inc. has provided organizational development. and training
services to a multitude of clients at the local, state, and federal level. Their ongoing
work with the United States Senate includes assisting a bipartisan group of Chiefs of
Staff to reach consensus on national legislation and policies. In .addition, Glaser &
Associates, Inc. is well renowned for their work through the International City/County
Management Association and with government. leaders across the nation.
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Glaser & Associates, Inc. were originally selected by the City Manager's Office due to
their extensive experience in communication skills, workplace culture, team building and
conflict resolution - as demonstrated by their work through the International City/County
Management Association. They have been engaged with the City of Santa Monica.
since June 2007 in launching two programs with the Executive and Leadership Teams -
"Breakthrough Conflict" and "Hardwiring Teamwork." The "Breakthrough Conflict"
program included .training in: the significance of clear communication, a model for
responding to criticism, a model for raising controversial issues, and the importance of
employee and work results recognition. The "Hardwiring Teamwork" program included
training in: collaborative partnerships, group facilitation skills, and collaborative problem
solving. City. staff has effectively utilized the toolkits and skills learned from .these
programs. In addition, a-group of internal "Coaches" on these models is in formation to
offer coaching on these skills for workgroups within the City.
In January 2008, the Glasers conducted two sessions with Big Blue Bus frontline
supervisors. Staff recommends that the City maintain the services, of Glaser &
Associates, Inc. in order to provide the "Breakthrough Conflict" and "Hardwiring
Teamwork" training to the recently hired supervisors within the Big Blue Bus to provide
guidance in effective communication that will transform organizational culture and
improve both service delivery and internal efficiencies.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
-Funds in the amount of $20,000 are available in account number 41654.555210 for
organizational development and training services.
Prepared by:
Mabel Borja, Transit Programs Manager
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Approved:
-~.,~_
St ph ie Negriff
Direct r of Transit Services
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Reference Amendment to
Contract No. 8981 (CCS).