Alachua County uses the TLG Conference as an annual forum to reenergize their organizational transformation efforts and build among employees a sense of being a part of an innovative community. I utilize a collaborative style of management and desire to create an environment supportive of transformation or continuous improvement. In Alachua County, if we are not presenting our own innovative programs at TLG, we are seeking to learn to be early adaptors of better methods gleaned from the case studies of others.

The TLG Conference involves all County employees in two ways. The County first undertakes to submit programs from Departments to be considered as case studies at the TLG Conference. This internal competitive process among divisions to present their best projects has produced frequent winners but also an annual focus on innovation. If a project is selected for the conference, the winning department employees gain bragging rights and get to form a “show team” to attend the TLG conference with the County Manager.

Seeing my vehicle maintenance crews put on a creative theatrical play about their process improvement achievements was one of the highlights of my career and still leaves me laughing!

So how is the TLG experience unique for you and your organization? If this is your first TLG, what do you hope will leave a lasting impression? Comment on this post to leave your remarks!