Call For Proposals

Transforming performance challenges into

opportunities in an environment of
continuous change

9th ISPI Europe/EMEA Conference

September 22 – 24, 2011 Skopje, Macedonia

You are invited

The International Society for Performance Improvement Europe/EMEA (ISPI-Europe/EMEA)
invites you to submit a proposal for a unique conference, a highly interactive event with a
track record of high value, and open exchange of knowledge, experience and innovative ideas
in the field of human and organizational performance.

The theme of the 2011 conference is: “Transforming performance challenges into
opportunities in an environment of continuous change.” The conference is scheduled from
September 22 - 24, 2011 in Skopje, Macedonia. The due date for submissions is May 11, 2011.
Challenges and change

In 500 BC, the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus wrote that “The only constant is change.” So,
dealing with continuous change seems to have been a part of the human condition from time
immemorial. It does seem that the nature, velocity and impact of the change we have seen
and what it appears we will face in the future is particularly intense now. The relevant fact is
that the environment in which we live and organizations operate will be characterized by
continuous change. This fact of life applies to governments at all levels, nongovernmental
organizations (NGO’s) and charities as well for-profit businesses from a small family-owned
grocery to an influential global corporation.
Even if the nature and velocity of change were not so intense, we would still be looking within
our organizations for challenges or obstacles to performance results. We would strive to
convert obstacles into opportunities, to achieve durable improvement and, in fact, continuous
sustainable improvement. Again, this applies to organizations of all sizes and types.
In this context, the theme of the ISPI Europe/EMEA conference (“Transforming performance
challenges into opportunities in an environment of continuous change”) brings together the
need to maintain focus on internal opportunity while being driven by a dynamic external
environment. Further, the challenges currently being faced by organizations, command the
attention of executives concerned with strategic direction, managers focused on ongoing
operations as well as performance improvement professionals. And, it is important to note,
that the ultimate impact of performance is felt not only by organizations, but their customers,
suppliers, competitors, regulators and even society at large.

What is unique about the ISPI Europe/EMEA Conference?

Most conferences provide value by assembling speakers who share their wisdom and insights
against an interesting unifying theme. We at ISPI Europe/EMEA feel that we have a way to
make our conference deliver significantly more value to both presenters and participants. Our
conferences have always aimed to be smaller in size but much greater in level of participation
and interactivity, than typical conferences. Like in previous years, the 2011 conference will be
organized around a simulation that will run throughout the conference.
The simulation will provide participants with a hands-on opportunity to apply their skills,
experience and newly gained knowledge on how to build a high performance culture. Notice
that the simulation will be based on a real client engagement. In this way, and through our
design, which includes professionals acting as the client team, the simulation experience is
able to come very, very close to what you would experience in the real world, but with the
advantage of a safe and protected environment to experiment!
We expect all sessions selected for presentation to provide participants with practical, valuable
insight and tools in alignment with the conference theme, and, in this way, to contribute to
participant success with the simulation. More detailed information about the simulation will be
made available in the coming weeks.

Invitation to come and join us

Whether you are interested in sharing your experiences in a formal way by being a presenter or
if you would rather come to learn, share, and contribute on a personal level, we encourage you
to take advantage of this opportunity. The simulation, and all other sessions of the conference
in Skopje will be carefully designed to:
 • Reinforce the exchange within our international network about how to optimize
performance for individuals, teams, and organisations.
• Facilitate meeting new business colleagues and professional partners in the fields of
human performance improvement, human resources, organizational development,
training and learning, public policy, and business administration.
• Prepare all of us for the challenges that lie ahead for creating healthy, prosperous
organizations and communities.

More information
For more information about the International Society for Performance Improvement - ISPI,
please refer to the description at the end of this document or check out the ISPI website.
(Click on the link or type www.ispi.org into your browser.) For more information about the 9th
ISPI Europe/EMEA conference in Skopje, please refer to our conference blog. (Click on the link
or type http://ispi-europe.blogspot.com into your browser.)

Skopje, an exciting location

Visiting Macedonia and Skopje is another powerful reason to join us for the 9th ISPI
Europe/EMEA Conference. Find out why by going to www.exploringmacedonia.com. Learn
about the beautiful country of Macedonia, the capital city of Skopje and the Macedonian
culture, cuisine and hospitality and much more.

The Application Process

If you are selected to present at the conference, you agree to the following:
• Register and pay the appropriate registration fee
• Prepare an article or “white paper.” White papers submitted will be considered as
candidates for a special edition of ISPI’s PI Journal focused on Europe, Middle East, and
Africa (EMEA) to be published in 2011
• Deliver your session on any of the scheduled conference days
• Submit an electronic copy of your handout in advance of the conference for
distribution to participants on a memory stick at the end of the conference

You also agree that your session handout will be made available on the ISPI website after the
conference.

Step One: Choose a Session Topic

The objective of the conference is to share and apply concepts, models and tools around the
theme of “Transforming performance challenges into opportunities in an environment of
continuous change.” We, of course, must keep in mind the key principles of improving
performance:
• Focusing on outcomes and results
• Taking a systemic approach
 • Adding value, focusing on the business and an organization’s purpose
• Establishing partnerships and working collaboratively
Remember, we are particularly looking for sessions that will present successful examples
and/or models, of approaches and tools that can be applied by participants to our simulation
client case, as well as to situations and projects they will face when they return home. We
encourage you to choose a topic that will be compelling to conference participants and address
one or more performance areas where many would see value in enhanced perspectives, skills
and/or tools.

Each submitter will be asked to describe how their session fits into and supports the theme of
the conference, provides practical and proven tools and approaches, and how it is aligned with
ISPI’s fundamental principles for improving performance. (Click on the link or type
http://www.ispi.org/content.aspx?id=54 into your browser).

Step Two: Prepare Your Session Proposal

Your proposal should clearly describe the connection to the conference theme, present how
you intend to facilitate the session, and your experience with the topic. Proposals should
include a draft sample of a job aid/performance tool that you will share with session attendees
and that can be made available on the conference website.

Participants at ISPI Europe conferences are very bright and typically very anxious to get
involved and play an active role in learning and sharing. They are also a richly diverse group in
terms of national origin, education and skills background, as well as, the industry or subject
matter that has been the focus of their experience. The multinational character of ISPI-Europe
makes it critical that all presenters are prepared to interact with participants who are non-
native English speakers. Therefore, please give special consideration to how you will
accommodate participants who do not speak English as their native language. Examples of how
this may be done include, by providing clear, complete handouts, visuals or other supporting
material with meaningful graphics. All session proposals must include a description of how the
presenter(s) intend to accommodate a diverse audience consisting of many participants who do
not speak English as their native language.
Your proposal will be evaluated by a team of reviewers against the criteria below.

IMPORTANT: Structure your proposal using the headings provided below. This will make it
easier for reviewers to find required information and, hence, will increase the likelihood that
your proposal will receive maximum consideration.

A. Title
The title for your session should be brief but descriptive and attract participant interest as well
as relating to the conference theme.

B. Session Description + Objectives / Benefits

Describe your session in 120 words or less. Use clear, conversational language. Include clear
objectives to help participants determine how/why they will benefit from your session.
In addition to your session description, indicate the level of experience participants should
have with the subject matter of your session by selecting one of the following categories:

Session Prerequisite Knowledge

Beginner Participant is able to understand and make use of the core concepts of
the subject matter.

Intermediate Participant is able to apply core concepts and practices of the subject
matter to a problem or situation.

Expert Participant is able to fluently create and evaluate solutions to problems

in the area of the subject matter.

Indicate session type as described below and the level of interactivity and engagement
participants can expect from your session by selecting one of the following categories:

Session Type

Briefing 60-minute intense briefing covering theoretical, research style aspects of

the subject matter. Activities are not required.

Workshop 90-minute laboratory-style workshop allowing the participants to apply

briefly introduced concepts to a given problem or situation in a team
environment. Highly interactive with at least 30 minutes activity time.

Pre- 3 hour or 6 hour extended workshop allowing the participants to apply

Conference comprehensively introduced concepts to given problems or solutions in a
Workshop small team environment. Highly interactive with at least 60 minutes or
120 minutes of activity time respectively. Pre-conference workshops will
take place on September 22, 2011.

The session description, the objectives/benefits, as well the information regarding the session
prerequisite knowledge and session type will be published in the conference program to market
your presentation.
Evaluation criteria are:
• Describes the content clearly
• Relates to the conference theme and is capable of direct application to a performance
improvement project in the form of a simulation case
• Includes performance-based objectives
• Describes the value of the workshop to the attendee
• Indicates the prerequisite knowledge for the session
• Indicates the session type and level of interactivity
• Is limited to 120 words
C. Link Session Design to Human Performance Technology and the Simulation
Describe in a paragraph or two how your session relates to, supports, or enhances the field of
Human Performance Technology. Evaluation criteria include:
• Describes how the workshop will support ISPI’s mission, goals and values and/or
explains the link to performance improvement. (Refer to ISPI – International Society for
Performance Improvement to learn more)
• Addresses a specific performance need or issue
• Uses case studies and examples of successful, EMEA region-focused performance
improvement projects (as our first priority)

D. Session Design Plan

Provide a high-level design plan of your session. This section is important; it will receive the
most attention by the team of reviewers. Evaluation criteria are:
• Session design appropriately reflects the session type (briefing, workshop, or pre-
conference workshop)
• Demonstrates sound instructional design principles
• Matches the objectives/benefits and session description
• Matches the expected level of prerequisite knowledge of session attendees
• Includes a topic outline + time frames for each topic
• Includes instruction/presentation method for each topic (e.g., lecture, discussion,
activity)
• Is achievable in the time requested
• Requires participants to engage with the content at the level stated in the objectives
• Provides enough detail for the reviewer to visualize the session delivery
• Describes how participants who are non-native English speakers will be accommodated

Please note that there are a limited number of pre-conference workshop slots available for
extended workshops (3hrs or 6hrs length). If you feel that your topic and/or expertise warrant
such an extensive exchange with the conference participants, please provide an extended
workshop design plan for both a 3 hour and a 6 hour version. Based on all submissions, the
team of reviewers will discuss with you the preferred option for this conference.

E. Job Aid / Performance Tool (not applicable to briefing sessions)

Job-relevant information, references and/or tools are very important to ISPI audiences.
Provide a draft sample of the performance tool which you will introduce during your
presentation or refine with the attendees during your workshop (i.e., job aid, process model,
idea synopsis, and reference guide). Evaluation criteria are:
• Is a well-designed performance tool
• Provides a reference for future use
F. Facilitator Personal Information / Presenter Experience
Please provide your personal data (Name, Position Title, Organization, Address, Telephone, and
Email).
Describe your expertise regarding your session topic in 75 words or less per facilitator. Please
do not attach resumes or list-style biographies!
Evaluation criteria are:
• Demonstrates sound expertise in session content by citing own relevant experience,
research, or writing
• Demonstrates experience presenting to ISPI or a similar audience
• Is limited to 75 words

Step Three: Send in your Proposal

Save your proposal as a MS Word document. Additional material such as job aids etc. can be in
other document formats, such as PPT or PDF. Send your combined proposal materials to
cmp@orgmap.com and maja.petkovska@worldlearning.org with “Session proposal for ISPI EMEA
Conference 2011” in the subject line.
Your proposal must be received no later than May 11, 2011.
The ISPI Europe conference program committee will confirm the receipt of your proposal via
email. You will be notified via email July 15, 2011 whether your proposal is accepted,
conditionally accepted, or rejected.

If your proposal is accepted, ISPI Europe will:

• Ask you to register for the conference and to reserve your hotel (if you are traveling
from outside Macedonia).
• Request your audio-visual requirements.
• Collect your session materials for publication on the conference website and/or via USB
memory stick.
• Ask you to commit to previewing your session, either following the opening ceremony
for the conference or after the first keynote address.

Questions
If you have any questions regarding the submission of a proposal or the conference in general,
please review the ISPI Europe/EMEA blog. (Click on the link or enter http://ispi-
europe.blogspot.com into your browser.)
Or contact ISPI Europe at:
• Email: cmp@orgmap.com and maja.petkovska@worldlearning.org
• Phone: +19734550420 and +389(0)23132062
Background information on ISPI
and the performance improvement community

What Is HPT?
Human Performance Technology (HPT) can be described as a comprehensive set of tools and
techniques for achieving organizationally desirable and “marketplace” effective results,
through the management of people and processes. HPT uses a wide range of approaches and
tools that are drawn from many other disciplines including behavioural psychology,
instructional systems design, organizational development, and human resources management.
As such, it stresses a rigorous analysis of present and desired performance identifies the causes
for any performance gaps and/or the nature and extent of improvement opportunities, offers a
wide range of tools and approaches to improve performance, guides the change management
process, and evaluates the results.

What Is ISPI?
Founded in 1962, the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) is the leading
international association dedicated to improving individual and organizational productivity and
total performance results in the workplace. ISPI represents more than 10,000 international and
chapter members throughout the United States, Canada, and 40 other countries.
ISPI's mission is to improve the performance of individuals and organizations through the
application of Human Performance Technology (HPT). Organizing annual conferences & expos
and other educational events such as the Performance Improvement Institutes, publishing
books and periodicals, and supporting research are just some of the ways ISPI works toward
achieving this mission.
In 2001, a group of performance improvement practitioners from various countries founded ISPI
EMEA with the vision of supporting the concept of ISPI in our geographical areas, sharing and
increasing knowledge of ISPI practitioners and sustaining the application of HPT across Europe,
the Middle East and Africa. Ours is a widely diverse cultural landscape and translating HPT
concepts and applications is a key factor in the global expansion of ISPI.