Professional Development

The Action Learning Center has been working with business and professional groups throughout Maine since the center's inception. Each program is specifically tailored to be a good fit for the organization-and for the individuals within the group. Program designs may be anywhere from 1 day to 3 days in duration-or longer-depending upon the available time and learning investment of the organization.

high element/hourglass belay

Client goals for this genre of program vary from organization to organization depending upon the issues, environmental factors and responsibilities of the group in question. The ALC delivers programs to entry level and front line employees, middle, upper and executive management, project teams, sales teams and field staff.

Topics for exploration include enhancing group communication skills, goal setting, effective leadership skills, addressing group dynamic issues, gaining tools and models for effective meeting management, and establishing cohesion and focus for newly formed groups due to projects, expansion and downsizing. Some groups come for personal challenge, and discussions focus on transferring the tools used to overcome it to challenges in the workplace.

Additionally, while addressing the above and other goals, outcomes inevitably include the enhanced self-awareness of individual participants specifically in the area of roles and behaviors manifested while under pressure to perform in group processes. Coupled with this awareness is an elevation of respect for the different approaches that other group members may take. These outcomes contribute directly to productivity and performance of both the individual and the group-the individual gets clarity surrounding their own roles and changes they can personally make in order to enhance group productivity; the group learns to more effectively tap into its own diverse resources. Participants often comment at the relief they feel at discovering that they don't have to go it alone when others are more than willing to provide different perspectives.

The ALC's clients often combine their programs with conferences, visioning and action planning sessions. The USM Stone House Conference Center (www.usm.maine.edu/stonehouse) is located around the corner from the ALC site and offers an ideal setting for small to moderate sized conferences, gatherings, barbecues, and lobster bakes. The Stone House offers breakout rooms, dining facilities, and fantastic views of Casco Bay. Please ask about joint programming opportunities

A program at the ALC is refreshing and exciting, and need not be coupled with fear. Activities are never provided that are beyond the capabilities of the attending group, and each program is specifically designed with the participant's physical and emotional safety first and foremost. The ALC has an impeccable safety record.

$100-$150 per participant depending on the program content.
Overnight programs are available for an additional $10.00 per person.