NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Challenge: In a full cost accounting environment, researchers sought ways to get their work understood, used and funded. Beyond the nuts and bolts of proposal writing (for which there are already robust sources at Goddard) there was a need to educate scientists, project managers, and technologists about the strategic use of relationship building, "rainmaking" skills, and professional marketing approaches in a federal research lab environment.

Results: Through classroom-based learning sessions, interim hands-on problem solving “clinics,” and an online learning portal, participants steadily acquired a conceptual framework and practical tools for building a “rainmaker’s” toolkit and – most importantly – mindset. An “evergreen” learning portal houses:

• a resource-rich e-learning center, with downloadable modules, templates, worksheets, whitepapers and reports
• online discussion forums for participants to bounce ideas off one another, post questions, interact with faculty and share resources
• access to TurningPointe’s extensive online library of how-to articles, reports and tools

Services Provided: instructional design, facilitation, team and individual coaching, supporting materials, project planning, web2.0 content, internal communications strategy and planning