Quotes from participants' anonymous comments

• "I loved the groupware; the ability to see what others were thinking helped me refine my understanding of the items. It also turned what would have/could have become a 2 day session into an incredibly constructive and efficient 1/2 day."
• "It's like four days of ideas rolled into one."
• "Anonymity was great--helped the fun factor as well as gave valuable input."
• "Use of time was pushed to the max and more efficient than traditional methods."
• "No other way to get this much done so quickly."
• "We all had a chance to express ourselves. The technology equalized our 'voices'"
• "I think this was our best meeting so far and hope we are able to use this technique again."
• "There was a great deal of ground covered during a short two days. We have been able to progress further in strategic planning than we have in at least the last year. We now have a direction, or a beginning of a direction from which to start."
• "This was great -- so much better than writing ideas up on a chalk board because everyone's ideas are there almost simultaneously. It speeds things tremendously. Also, the anonymity really fosters full participation."
• "I think the facilitation and the technology saved the meeting. It would have been totally unproductive otherwise."
• "Evaluating all of [the organization's] activities and ranking them with respect to your own gives you a better appreciation of what other people are doing in [the organization]."
• "These are difficult matters to deal with--with attendant sensitivities about program ownership and awkwardness in opening up issues in which the participants have a significant personal stake. With your groupware system, you were able to help us address those potentially threatening issues constructively and in a way that was personally comfortable for the participants."
• "Comments from everyone are acknowledged equally--probably the best feature of the system outside of the anonymity."
• "The intensity of activity was demanding but provided maximum potential for accomplishing a large amount of work. This is a great brainstorming system."
• "System allowed for group work which facilitates the process. Honesty and forthright discussion and participation."
• "Everyone participated--the position or speaking style of the individuals did not matter."
• "Very efficient."
• "Easy to use."

Quotes about Pat herself

• "Pat was especially helpful in being able to move us through the software and edit the text and help in facilitation and ideas. SUPER!"
• "Pat did a tremendous job in a difficult, stressful situation."
• "The 'outside' facilitation helped to quiet some of the cheap shots and turf issues which in the past held up progress."
• "Facilitator provided thoughtful and helpful assistance which got us out of traditional slumps."
• "Facilitator excellent. Group began coming together in a decision making process."
• "The facilitator did a splendid job of keeping things moving."
• "Pat is a super recorder of info and runs a good show."
• "Pat's facilitation added great value to the process."
• "Facilitator worked very hard--I think our positive comments might not be nearly so positive without her very able assistance."
• "Facilitator was very quick at grasping concepts and putting ideas in a "better place" on the business plan."
• "The facilitator kept us on track and organized our plan, without her we wouldn't have accomplished anything."
• "The facilitator assisted the participants with focusing on the main issue."
• "Excellent concept, facilities, equipment and consultant."
• "Facilitation was excellent."
• "Pat earned her money."
• "Superb facilitator KUDOS!!!"
• "The best facilitator I've seen in my 40 years with the Government."
• "Let's keep Pat on our team!"