Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Oops! He's in the Room - meeting management and productivity


Share this video with your team during your next team meeting.  Use it as a springboard for discussing improving communication, clarifying expectations and/or conducting more effective meetings.

Here are some potential discussion questions:

  • If our boss called a meeting asked us to think of ways to improve the bottom line, what would you suggest?
  • Do you think the team is clear on what they are expect to do to "improve the bottom line" or even what the 'bottom line' means?
    • what does 'bottom line' mean? (typically, the answer is reduce costs and/or increase profit.)
  • How can we make sure expectations and goals are communicated in clearly.
  • How can we motivate employees to give there best effort?
  • How can we make meetings more effective, fun, or engaging?
    • Possible answers:  1.  different presenters  2.  start on time   3.  provide agenda in advance.   4.  shorter, less frequent meetings  5.  change locations   6.  use ice breakers or activities.  
Encourage everyone to identify simple ways to reduce costs of improve efficiency - everything from money spend on janitorial services or wasted copy paper. 

Ask for feedback about processes or procedures that take too long and get bottle-necked.  

Discuss pros and cons of any suggestions you receive.  

Clearly communicate your decisions, changes and strategies so that everyone understand why the decision was made and how it will impact them. 

Commit to implement the idea that could have the greatest impact short or long term.