Virtual Spark participants' feedback
From July 2019 to January 2020, a cohort of 11 AONB Staff from 9 AONBs has been taken through an innovative pilot programme called 'Virtual Spark'. A series of 4 webinars, the Virtual Spark programme objectives were:
From July 2019 to January 2020, a cohort of 11 AONB Staff from 9 AONBs has been taken through an innovative pilot programme called 'Virtual Spark'. A series of 4 webinars, the Virtual Spark programme objectives were:
• To provide a comprehensive guide to Lumina Spark
• To provide a comprehensive guide to Lumina Spark
• To test new ways of collaborating remotely
• To test new ways of collaborating remotely
• To have an enjoyable, fun and stimulating experience
• To have an enjoyable, fun and stimulating experience
Below are some elements of feedback from participants on the programme, and thoughts about furthering collaborative working remotely.
About Lumina Spark:
- Lumina Spark is great for understanding yourself and others, but it requires ongoing implementation, i.e. tools/guidance on how to use it would be useful, as well as further training that build on the portrait (e.g. soft skills training).
- One should be careful when sharing their Lumina Spark profile with others who are not familiar with the concepts and approach, or who might be more sceptical about its benefits, as it could be misinterpreted. Again, tools and guidance on how to use and share the profile would be helpful.
- A regular opportunity to talk to others about working collaboratively and using Lumina Spark might be a good way to keep the momentum going. This could take the form of a regular drop-in conference call. However it takes a leader/coordinator to make that happen.
- Going through the Lumina Spark training on my own without anyone else on your team knowing what it is about can feel a bit isolating (if I know how to work with others, but they don't, it doesn't really work!), so team delivery or at least with a colleague might be more enlightening and useful.
- Having been through the Lumina Spark training, I feel slightly closer to other people who have done it as well (in my team or external), and it is easier to have conversations with them.
- Overall great interest from most participants to get the rest of their teams to go through a Lumina Spark training, either remotely or as a team in a face to face session.
About using webinars:
- Using webinars is a fantastic way to give more opportunities for training and exchange, especially for those people in remote areas or with limited time capacity, or limited resources to travel. I am grateful this opportunity has been opened up to all AONBs.
About collaborative working:
- We often miss opportunities to come together and share outputs or pool resources across AONBs, simply because we do not know what is out there. For example, a repository of information and press release templates for Comms would be helpful for individuals to be more efficient at their work, and also useful to speak as a collective voice.
- AONB Staff need to take on their own responsibility to connect with others when opportunities arise. It can be more informal than the NAAONB providing incentives every time.
- It is of interest to reach out to others and see what's going on, but at the moment there is no time because resources are so constrained! The Glover Review recommendations might help change this?!