Be the One for Change
Someone scheduled this for a reason… but why?
It cuts into my time to get things done… Is it really worth to attend?
Same old lecture and discussion but no clear plans or accountability…
We can be better!
Wouldn’t you like to be the one to change these sentiments about your meetings? You can easily increase your team’s performance by taking initiative and being persistent. Trust in your own judgment and ability;
“The best way to predict your future is to create it”.
The most striking improvement for most groups is a common goal for each meeting. It is a statement that clearly lists what the group expects to do at the meeting. It should headline the agenda that goes to participants in advance. The aim should be modified or extended, agreed to before and measured at the end of the meeting.
Below are some sample goals that need improvement.
Objective:
a) To improve the Smith Project; (“improve” is too vague to be well-measured)
b) To increase profits by 10%; ( lofty goal, needs more focus)
c) To cut staff from 14 to 11; (very negative, especially if I may be on the chopping block)
d) To brainstorm about international markets; ( needs specifics so people can prepare with background information)
Three criteria will help improve these goals:
1) An objective needs simple and clear sentences.
2) It should be attainable with the people, resources and time available.
3) It should have measurable statements listed so you can consider quantifying the achievement.
So, here are ways to improve the above goals:
Objective:
a) To discuss the Smith Project and decide:
- i. What has gone well and how that should continues
- ii. What needs improvement and how to make that happen
b) To plan for a profit increase by 10% over the next 12 months by :
New projects, new staff, reduced expenses or other
c) To decide on ways to cut the operating budget by 15% over next 2 months.
Options include: Staff reduction, travel moratorium, cancel golf memberships,
new office space outside the city or other methods.
d) To brainstorm about 3 new international markets for product expansion in next 3 months.
In advance, research your ideas on: current partners overseas, competition, cost to trade or build foreign plants.
Notice that each of these apply to 4 different types of meetings: Discussion, Planning, Decision-making, and Brainstorming. The agenda of timed items would give much more detail on how each of these goals could be reached. That is yet another way to improve your meetings.
Final word: Each participant has an obligation to make a meeting beneficial. Much of its success depends on the planning done in advance. A clear meeting objective puts everyone in the right mindset to share and create common knowledge. Develop measurable aims for all your meetings and check how well you did at the end. The difference in group effectiveness will be tremendous.
Action: For your next 3 meetings, ask the planner or chairperson to write an objective at the top of the agenda and have others review it in advance.
Contact us any day, any way, to make your team Meet with Success!
-Bill Clarke
