FAQs
As your session approaches, PMG wants to share the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the CMI.
Policies
What is the attendance requirement?
Daily attendance is expected. The complete CMI experience assumes that all class members will be at every session of the program. Small-group work and group dynamics are adversely affected by sporadic attendance. If you miss more than a half-day, you will not be considered as having completed the CMI. Consider your absence from the office a good opportunity to give your staff decision-making and operational authority as appropriate.
What is the policy for guests and spouses?
Social events are an integral component of the learning experience. Spouses/guests are discouraged from accompanying participants to the CMI.
What is the dress code?
Business casual is the most prominent attire during the day — something you would wear to the office on a “dress-down Friday.” The temperature in hotel rooms is sometimes difficult to control. Dressing in layers is advisable due to temperature fluctuations in the training room.
Our location offers beautiful opportunities to stroll and often walking groups develop during lunch or after sessions. If you are interested, please bring comfortable walking shoes.
What is the protocol for cell phones, Blackberrys, pagers, etc.?
Speakers and participants will appreciate your attending to business during regularly scheduled breaks. Phones, Blackberrys and pagers are very disruptive. We ask that you do not bring these items into the training room. If you must, volume should be turned to an inaudible ring setting. Tell your office that you will have breaks at approximately 10:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. each day.
Phone numbers where messages can be left for you in an emergency:
- VCU Performance Management Group – (804) 828-8845.
Session schedule
Do I need to arrive on Sunday?
Only if you don’t want to or can’t make the drive on Monday morning. We will begin the program promptly at 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning.
What is the daily schedule?
The morning session starts at 8:30 a.m., except for one day, which may begin at 8 a.m. Lunch is provided as a part of the training and is usually from noon to 1:15 p.m. The day generally ends around 5 p.m.
Will the evenings be free?
We will provide a list of nearby restaurants in the material you will receive Monday morning. Often small groups choose to travel together for dinner on Monday and/or Wednesday night. We will be happy to assist in coordinating these impromptu networking opportunities.
When will we finish on Friday?
The program ends by 1:30 p.m., and all participants are expected to stay until the completion of the program.
Feedback surveys
Is there any homework?
Yes. There is a very important activity that is an integral part of the CMI program. This must be completed before CMI.
You will receive directions for distributing the online 360° Feedback surveys. You will need to complete the survey yourself and then e-mail your raters — your supervisor as well as direct reports and/or colleagues — the directions for their participation. Surveys should be completed by the date indicated on the checklist for your session. We will provide you with guidance on the online 360° Feedback. The responses from your raters will be submitted directly to our database for processing and report generation. You will receive some helpful data and an interpretive report with suggestions for an action plan during the week we are together.
Reminder: Don’t forget to submit a brief biographical sketch before the CMI. This will be included in the participants’ handbook.
May I receive feedback from family and friends?
No. The 360° Feedback process is specifically evaluating your work style and, although feedback from family or friends outside of work may be of interest, we prefer you stay focused on work relationships.
If I have not been at my current job long enough for my supervisor and direct reports to give me an effective evaluation, or if my supervisor is new to the job, can I receive feedback from my previous supervisor?
Yes. If you believe that your current supervisor has not yet had enough time to fully recognize your work style you may use the supervisor from your last job.
Can I receive feedback from coworkers or direct reports from my old job?
Yes. However, we ask that you use them in addition to coworkers and direct reports from your current job. They should be categorized as “others.”
Whom do I contact if I lose my survey codes?
Contact Susan Edwards at saedward@vcu.edu or (804) 827-1287.
What do I do if I send the wrong codes to the wrong people?
Contact Susan immediately. New survey codes will need to be issued and all surveys completed thus far will be discarded.
When I try to complete a survey I receive an error message.
Be sure that you have entered the survey code exactly as it appears in the instructional e-mail. The code is case-sensitive and will be read incorrectly if any extra spaces are included. You may also receive an error message if your computer has an unusually high level of security protection. Try using a computer with a lower security level. If you are still unable to complete a survey, contact Susan.
Can I find out who has completed a survey and who hasn’t?
There is no way to identify surveys by person once they are completed. All surveys are identified only by number to ensure confidentiality. Susan will update you periodically on how many surveys you have received for each demographic.
Can I review my answers after completing the survey?
No. The only way to review your answers is to click the “Previous” button after completing each page in the quantitative section. After the last open-ended question, there is no way to review your answers.
Does anyone else receive a copy of my Feedback Report?
No. The copy you receive at the feedback session during the CMI is the only copy made. If you misplace your copy, you may request that a PDF version be e-mailed to you.
Other questions?
Please don’t hesitate to call us at (804) 828-8845. We look forward to seeing you at the CMI!
