World Cafe

What is it?

World Café captures significant conversations, such as the ones we all remember from sitting around a kitchen or dining-room table
It uses graphics, printing and colour to distinguish messages from the usual torrent of e-mails
It uses hospitable spaces where participants feel comfortable
It uses compelling questions from which real possible solutions might emerge as they relate to the real-life concerns of the group
It aids groups in numbers from 12 up to many hundreds to explore issues in increasingly deeper lines of inquiry
The process uses principles that connect diverse perspectives, encourages contributions, and shares collective discoveries

How does it Work?

A warm and inviting hospitable space is chosen, with enough room to seat participants around small tables, paper and pens to encourage writing and drawing whilst seated, and refreshments on tap
Important questions are explored, chosen by the sponsor, often one central theme for everybody
Everyone’s contribution is encouraged. ‘Talking objects’ on the table may help
Pictures are co-created on the table, to enable the connection of perspectives
Often, one person stays at the table as a ‘table host’, to connect different groups in their thinking, as groups move around the room
At the end of a session, the writing, drawing and thinking are collected together to be displayed
Other processes maybe used to further work on emerging solutions

Business Applications

Where organisations wish to generate input, share knowledge, and stimulate innovative thinking
To engage people, maybe from different sections or departments, in authentic conversations
To conduct in-depth exploration of key strategic challenges or opportunities
To deepen relationships in new or existing work teams
To engage large groups in an authentic dialogue process

Benefits