Effective Meetings

Course Content

It is often said that meetings comprise: a bunch of the unfit, appointed by the unwilling, to do the necessary. However, meetings are an intrinsic part of our working lives and, if used appropriately and conducted effectively, can make informed and successful decisions.

Objectives

By the end of the Effective Meeting Skills Programme each participant will:

• Understand the purpose of meetings, their cost to the company and the benefit to be derived from an appropriate and effective meeting
• Understand who should attend and the role and responsibilities of the participant, the Secretary and the Chairperson
• Have Practised the skills necessary to be an effective participant, secretary and chairperson such as:
  • planning
  • discussion leading
  • questioning
  • listening and summarising
  • gaining agreement and commitment to action
  • dealing with conflict
  • handling group dynamics to ensure a balanced view is expressed

• Understand the structure of meetings and the need for:
  • an agenda circulated in advance
  • accurate timing
  • a suitable venue
  • clear outcomes with nominated actions and times
  • accurate minutes

• Identify good practice for informal meetings
• Recognise the responsibilities of a facilitator and how to exercise them to:
  • use intervention strategies to keep group process, context, and content on track

• Trainer input
• Case study
• Discussion and practical exercises
• Role-play