What is the business case for effective meetings?
First, let us recognize that, in general, meetings are a huge waste of resources. The opportunity cost of bringing people together – even virtually – to talk about an issue [...]
First, let us recognize that, in general, meetings are a huge waste of resources. The opportunity cost of bringing people together – even virtually – to talk about an issue [...]
The Institute of Cultural Affairs in Belgium identified five common misconceptions about facilitation. Facilitation is another name for training. In training, information flows primarily from the trainer to the [...]
A facilitator is a process leader who partners with a task leader to design and execute a group event that meets agreed-to outcomes and deliverables. The following sources were [...]
Benefit #1: Facilitation improves meeting outcomes. Improving meeting outcomes is one way of increasing the return on investment for meetings. The meeting investment is the sum of the salary [...]
If the objective or main purpose of the meeting is not clear, participants will not grasp why they should attend. Or you might invite the wrong people. Example of an [...]
It is not necessary or useful to invite the whole team to every meeting. When the meeting objective and the topics on the agenda are of no relevance to them, [...]
In many organizations lack of punctuality at the beginning and end of meetings is so common that it has become the norm. Some participants arrive at the scheduled time… and [...]
If you want your staff to arrive on time, ready to contribute to the objective announced in the invitation, you must prepare an agenda in advance and, when possible, share [...]
Workplace meetings are not just for talking… and talking… and talking without arriving at a conclusion. To avoid the waste of time and energy caused by interminable speeches, you first [...]
When someone asks me “How long should a meeting last?” the underlying question often is “How can we avoid meetings that drag on with no apparent end in sight?” The [...]
Imagine that the participants at your meetings arrive full of curiosity about the discussion to come and leave feeling energized by the work they accomplished together. Imagine that the conversation [...]
In a recent workshop, “Excellent meetings at work,” this question came up: Is it valid not to invite someone because we believe s/he is conflictive or will create conflict? The [...]
Quick answer: No. Here are some typical distinctions between these two formats for human interaction. Meeting Conversation Formal Informal Set time and place Spontaneous Conference table Kitchen table Protocol-driven Arise [...]
Sharing responsibility for the facilitation of a complex meeting or a large event such as a workshop or conference presents challenges and opportunities that are different from those we face [...]
As consultants in participatory processes, we have observed that many organizations plan their special events such as conferences, workshops, forums, assemblies, etc. differently than their everyday business meetings. We wonder, [...]
We have written in the past about the importance of scheduling breaks during meetings. Now we want to go a step further to investigate what is on the table beside [...]
Consider the language we use to name the elements of most large meetings: Dignitaries on a podium (raised platform) in the front of an auditorium Plenary sessions that everyone is [...]
Having focused on the human factor in meetings, we want to also reflect on a meeting moment that everyone eagerly awaits but often no one has planned for very well: [...]
We would like to highlight an element that is often neglected when thinking of ways to engage, respect and treat people well: the evaluation at the end of the session. [...]
Breaks are strategies to increase participation and satisfaction in meetings. Let´s reflect for a moment about the meaning of this statement from the point of view of the three principal [...]
We always suggest the importance of taking into account the group's context and overall state of mind when planning a meeting. Now we want to share some ideas about how [...]
You can balance the contents of an agenda with the time available for the meeting in several ways. While these “structural” elements can go a long way toward improving the [...]
In a world where innovation is discussed in relation to every organizational area, why do meetings remain stuck in the 19th century? We know that meetings, whether face-to-face or virtual, [...]
The short answer to the question “Does every decision require consensus?” is “No, of course not! The even shorter answer is “It depends.” Groups implementing consensus process for the first [...]
This common misconception that “we all decide everything together” is a recipe for frustration and failure. True consensus process does not mean endless meetings and little forward momentum toward common [...]
The short answer is: Maybe. Here are some conditions that work against the successful adoption of consensus process: Leadership values control over collaboration, that is, the leaders do not want [...]
This comes as a surprise to those of you who are accustomed to voting and then, if more people are for the proposal than against, declaring “consensus.” If the vote [...]
Still unclear on the concept of what a process facilitator does and why you might want to become one? Don´t worry. It is an occupational hazard. Sometimes I long for [...]
Process facilitators get this question all the time. Despite the fact that there are thousands of us around the world and an international association that sets professional standards and defines [...]
Imagine this scenario: Six people gather around a table in the conference room for their weekly staff meeting. They sip coffee, chat about football, politics or the family vacation, enjoying [...]
This is a message for those who never chose to be a group facilitator, but nevertheless have had responsibility for meetings thrust upon them. Before your next meeting, drugs take [...]