Goals are critically important for the success of a meeting. You must know what you want so you can ask for it. And the participants need to know what you want so they can help you get it. Without goals, a meeting becomes a journey without a destination.
Unfortunately, many meetings are called without goals. So, you hear people say, "Well, what do you want to talk about?" This is similar to walking into a factory and asking, "Well, what do you want to make?" You could end up with anything from ant farms to xylophones.
Thus, your first step is to write out a statement of the results that you want to have by the end of the meeting. I want to emphasize that you must write out the goals for the meeting. This forces you to define exactly what you want. Certainly, if you're unable to express your goals on paper, you can expect to have difficultly explaining what you want to the attendees.
Writing goals also provides important benefits. It allows you to consider, explore, and discard possibilities. And then you can show the goals to others to obtain their comments and suggestions.
Asking for help preparing goals is especially useful when working on complex or controversial issues. Now you can 1) use their comments to refine the goals, 2) win support for your goals by including others in their development, 3) gain information on issues related to the goals, 4) uncover issues that may conflict with the goals, and 5) develop strategies for achieving the goals.
Once you complete the goals for your meeting, put them on the agenda. That helps everyone focus on your purpose for the meeting. And it significantly increases your chances of ending with the results that you wanted.
- - - - - - - -
IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and author Steve Kaye works with leaders who want to hold effective meeting. His innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. His facilitation produces results that people will support. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.stevekaye.com. Call 714 -528-1300 or visit his web site for over 100 pages of valuable ideas.
1) Use a live instructor. Adults learn best by doing,... Read More
The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More
Let me repeat a story I heard many years ago... Read More
As a small business operator, personal checks may be one... Read More
I recently read an article published in the June, 2005... Read More
Shaky FoundationsWhilst over 60% of businesses will be looking to... Read More
SIX "HONEST BUSINESS FRIENDS" - THEY GUIDE ME IN ALL... Read More
A recent Washington Post article, described the life of temporary... Read More
What principles should a company keep in mind when developing... Read More
Want to get more from your people, but you don't... Read More
Life can sometimes be unexciting if not refreshed by the... Read More
Outsourcing has become a controversial issue and a hot topic... Read More
Most people think real change in an organization occurs as... Read More
STEPS IN USING THE CRITICAL INCIDENT TECHNIQUE:1) The incident. Read,... Read More
Does your business need the services of a computer consulting... Read More
How do you, or would you, communicate with employees who... Read More
Late last year I was presenting a workshop for the... Read More
"Ha!" you say. "For someone to make a statement like... Read More
What do people really find challenging about leading meetings? Here... Read More
Employee performance reviews are one of the most dreaded tasks... Read More
It's been a pretty good weekend around the place -... Read More
DECIDING WHAT TO DELEGATE: Once the benefits of delegation are... Read More
So to help start the ball rolling, here are ten... Read More
What is the Process Approach to Quality?The ISO 9001 2000... Read More
Teamwork is a process that can be experienced outdoors and... Read More
Not long ago I was asked to come out and... Read More
GROUP DECISION-MAKING: Many managers feel they are well-versed in areas... Read More
If you own or operate a business in the UK,... Read More
This article relates to the Ethics in the Workplace competency,... Read More
Every meeting is a laboratory where you can observe and... Read More
"Can This Marriage be Saved?" So reads the title of... Read More
TEAM DECISION MAKING: Managers who invite participation believe that people... Read More
Why do managers create low morale as a product of... Read More
Lack of Operations Manuals stunting your growth?CONTENTS:1. Do you lack... Read More
Hiring the first personal business assistant is an exciting time... Read More
Becoming a manager for the first time can be an... Read More
If you're one of the many executives struggling with finding... Read More
A long time ago, I learned something about being a... Read More
It is essential to understand what work and what do... Read More
Consequences of Not Giving Effective FeedbackLet's take a look at... Read More
Rejection hurts. No one likes to give it or to... Read More
Cold Water Comments - What They Are and How to... Read More
In 1987 I sold my business, South Mountain Company, to... Read More
We all know that achieving better alignment, synergy and cooperation... Read More
Many people believe that they conduct effective meetings, when all... Read More
Bad news.Your senior vice-president, your marketing director or your accounting... Read More
The end of the television season in May included the... Read More
Suggested practice for HR personnelMuslims now form one of the... Read More
Child custody? How'd that get to be an employer's concern?When... Read More
Industrial/clinical psychology and applied psychiatry have made tremendous strides in... Read More
One Bad Apple I know what... Read More
It's no secret! Day after day the news is riddled... Read More
The use of temporary services to stock a farm of... Read More
You open your computer, the flashing button says, "We have... Read More
If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More
How content and satisfied are American employees? Not very!According to... Read More
I talked with a group of internal consultants last week... Read More
October 2004 saw the introduction of the Employment Act 2002,... Read More
The characteristics of job applicants have a strong influence on... Read More
I love tennis both as a spectator and... Read More
Few Decision makers see the link between between creativity and... Read More
Unfortunately, there are managers who define public relations by its... Read More
There was a buzz in the air recently about the... Read More
The Cash to Cash Cycle Part Four of SeriesNext: Complete... Read More
Eventually, your business is going to need to have some... Read More
In our current world of rapid and amazing technological advances,... Read More
Business Management |