From Gillian Martin Mehers – Director, Learning, LEAD International:

The LEAD Member Programme Committee of Directors assembled in Ottawa at the International Session for their bi-annual meeting, joined by Roland Kupers, Chair of the LEAD Board. The LEAD 2.0 project was a major agenda item and the meeting focused particularly on a discussion about learning trends and innovations. Consultation with Member Programmes, Fellows and partners is producing some exciting ideas and partnership possibilities. These are in turn are contributing to the development of the LEAD 2.0 commercial model and the learning and network platform. In addition, LEAD Brazil Programme Director Dalberto Adulis is scheduled to work in London in mid-February to take the next steps in the design for LEAD's Rio+20 programme, a major milestone in the LEAD 2.0 process.

Our focus during the past few weeks has been on collecting information to help inform the decision-making process. Member Programmes have exchanged learning and materials and we used the International Session to launch surveys of Programme Directors and Fellows. The information gathered from these questionnaires will help us evaluate the learning needs of sustainable development professionals and identify the most popular learning tools and techniques.

In mid November the LEAD International staff took part in an internal LEAD 2.0 workshop. The aim was to discuss the potential new commercial models and learning delivery plans for LEAD, and to agree timelines and milestones as a group. It was a very productive day and we made considerable progress in defining the key features of the LEAD 2.0 model.

The Learning work stream team members met with Dalberto Adulis (LEAD Brazil Director) in the London office to plan LEAD's contribution for the Rio+20 conference, to be held from 20-22 June 2012. LEAD Brazil, together with LEAD International and other Member Programmes will be hosting a LEAD Fellows event (tentatively scheduled for Sunday 17 June – date to be confirmed) as well as a panel discussion focused on 20 years of learning about leadership development for sustainable development. The panel discussion will be followed by the formal launch of LEAD 2.0 – LEAD's new learning and networking product.

A progress update from the work streams can be found below. For more information about the LEAD 2.0 process please contact Katie Singer ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Work stream updates: November 2011

1. Market Research (managed by Graham Ward)

• The competitor analysis section of the market research work stream was completed last month and presented to the Directors of the Member Programmes at the Committee of Directors Meeting prior to the Ottawa International Session.
• Further marker research activities will be undertaken as the need arises from the other work streams.
• Our thanks go to staff from Accenture and Carbon Leapfrog who undertook this study pro-bono for us.

2. Transition Communications (managed by Katie Singer)

• An initial analysis of LEAD stakeholders has been completed and the Partnership and Communications teams are working together to create a detailed analysis of clients, partners and funders.
• The stakeholder map has been used to inform the stakeholder communications plan, which is currently being developed. In addition to email updates, information about the project will be available on a 2.0 webpage which will be launched next week.
• The terms of reference for volunteers are being drafted - Fellows who have volunteered to help with the 2.0 process will be contacted within the next few weeks.

3. Learning Systems and Network Platform (managed by Gillian Martin Mehers)

• Member Programmes have exchanged learning materials through a Curriculum Swap; our ultimate aim is to produce a repository of the key learning products that LEAD has created in the past 20 years.
• A survey of National and Regional Programme Directors was undertaken at the International Session. The results will help to inform future conversations about the costing of cohort training across the network, marketing requirements and the balance between e-learning and face-to-face training.
• The International Session was also used to launch a survey of Fellows which will help us gather information about the skills and learning techniques that are most appropriate for sustainable development leaders.
• This workstream is now developing a new competency framework for LEAD 2.0, an exercise which is currently being conducted through a number of consultations (LEAD Fellows, LEAD Associates, LEAD Staff, and external sustainability experts) and a scan of existing competency frameworks.
• The team has been scoping out the key features of the new virtual platform that will support the LEAD Network. If Fellows would like to suggest ideas or contribute to the platform development process, please contact Katie via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .We would also be very grateful for advice from anyone with experience in designing, building or procuring these kind of platforms.
• The LEAD Africa Fellowship Programme has been identified as one of the LEAD 2.0 pilot programmes and will host an international design workshop to develop the next stage model for LEAD training, linked to LEAD 2.0. This will be held in Dakar, Senegal from 19-21 December 2011.

4. Commercial Modelling and Financing (managed by Mike Ellingham)

• An outline Commercial Model has been developed to review the viability of our strategic goal to be commercially self-sustaining by 2015.
• This model is currently being tested and business plans compiled for the implementation of the various components of the plan.

5. Results Framework (managed by Janet Southern)

• Janet recently attended a workshop called Project Design and Management through Outcome Mapping: Addressing the dynamics of change in complex environments. The two most relevant objectives of the workshop were outlining an alternative way in which to monitor the achievement of project aims, and providing tools to assist in developing project evaluation plans.
• Key lessons from the workshop will be shared with the rest of the LEAD International team so they can be incorporated into other areas of the LEAD 2.0 process.

6. Partnerships and Marketing (managed by Caroline Spencer and Graham Ward)

• The partnerships work stream is being managed by Caroline and Graham until the new Director of Partnerships is appointed.
• The initial kick off meeting has been held and produced a successful strategy and relevant initial documentation has now been created.
• The next phase will involve a segmentation mapping of key partners and identifying how we will engage with these key partners.

7. Global Project Support Facility (managed by Amit Arulananatham)

• The business model and case for the Global Support Facility is currently being defined.

8. Network Governance (managed by Mike Ellingham)

• This work stream will commence in early 2012.

9. Organisational Development (managed by Graham Ward)

• Graham Ward has taken direct responsibility for this work stream and is developing a strategy for the organisational development of LEAD International and the wider network.
• This strategy is aimed at ensuring that the changes arising from both LEAD 2.0 and our move to operating as a self-sustaining social enterprise are reflected in improved and effective operating practices throughout the organisation.