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How ERDI Works For YouERDI exists to allow educational leaders the opportunity to influence the development, refinement and delivery of the products and services entering the educational setting in the USA so that those products and services can best meet the needs of children. Because the schools and districts that ERDI superintendents lead are important consumers, ERDI gives them a unique opportunity to comment on and shape what goes into the schools they serve. No other venue in this country offers leaders the chance to help create and streamline the products that affect the lives of the learners who will build a new future for our world!
At an ERDI conference, corporate client representatives receive a private 3-hour panel discussion with five leading educators. The agenda is determined by the corporate client and can address any issue. The client garners incredibly valuable information on those agenda issues and topics. Panels of expert superintendents provide frank, candid insight and feedback that clients typically incorporate to upgrade their products and services and to modify their marketing plans.
ERDI is proud to work closely with superintendents across the country. These superintendents are seasoned, leading experts in the field of K-12 education. These national leaders are the men and women who serve on ERDI panels.
To learn more about ERDI panels, please complete and e-mail the “Contact Us” page.
1. What is a panel?
A panel is a three hour session where the corporate client representatives receive candid feedback on specific topics from five superintendents from school districts across the United States. All topics discussed are strictly confidential. Potential new ERDI clients usually attend one set of panels as observers (with the approval of the host corporate client) which enables them to learn how the process will benefit their company. It also provides a meaningful forum for potential client representatives to talk with other business members and superintendents. This experience enables the potential client to make an informed decision to become a corporate client of ERDI.
2. Who sets the agenda for the panel?
The agenda is set by the client in consultation with the superintendent chairing the panel. Thus, the contact person from the corporate client and their ERDI panel chairperson are the two key agenda and process setters. The key to a successful panel is careful planning and clearly stated and understood expectations by both parties.
3. What types of items should/could be included in the pre-conference planning?
1) Selection of clearly articulated, focused topic(s) for the panel such as a marketing plan for a specific commodity or service.
ii) Identification and distribution of any materials to be provided to the panel members prior to the sessions.
iii) If desired, development and distribution of a questionnaire to the ERDI panel members in advance of the session. If the information requested is required prior to the panel then the questionnaire needs to be distributed, collected and collated well in advance of the meeting of the panel.
iv) Identification of any special facilities and/or audio visual equipment required for the panel. For example, the corporate client may want to video tape the panel. The client is responsible for all A/V costs and arrangements.
v) If desired, indication of specific panel members desired by the corporate client. These requests reflect regional or size of district desired by the client. As the client gets to know the superintendents better there is a tendency to want to identify specific superintendents. These requests are satisfied to the greatest extent possible.
vi) Pre-determine whether the corporate client will allow other companies to observe their panel. Some topics may be too sensitive to allow observers.
4. How do the panel members know what the client expects during the panel session?
With good communication and planning by the corporate client and the panel chairperson, the following information/activities further assists panel members:
i) An agenda prepared in advance and circulated to all participants.
ii) Distribution of materials to describe the client’s company and the service or commodity to be focused on during the panel.
iii) Distribution of a questionnaire, if this is part of the process.
5. How does a panel function?
i) To enable the corporate client to focus on the content, not the process, the panel is chaired by the ERDI consulting superintendent.
ii) The chairperson calls on the ERDI members to introduce themselves and briefly describe their school districts.
iii) The chairperson introduces any observer companies present (observer companies are present only with prior approval of the host company).
iv) The chairperson and corporate client introduces the agenda.
v) The chairperson leads the corporate client and ERDI team through the agenda.
vi) Allowance is made for a break of 10 minutes after approximately half way through the session.
vii) Time is built in for the chairperson or corporate client to sum up the session, determine any follow-up activities required and/or identify and further steps to be followed.
viii) As appropriate, observers present are provided an opportunity to comment.
ix) Wrap-up of the panel session is made by the corporate client and the chairperson.
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