The author explains why it's essential to begin the preparations by deciding what the meeting is intended to accomplish. That, in turn, determines what kind of meeting you should conduct: informational, advisory, or problem-solving. The author breaks down the essential tasks involved and even suggests the right type of person to handle each one. She describes various types of troublesome meeting attendees-from accusers and apathetics to fence-sitters and know-it-alls-and offers advice on how to deal tactfully but firmly with them all. The author also tackles working effectively with the media, a subject that terrifies most planners. True stories of public meetings, both good and bad, add humor to her no-nonsense narrative. Follow her step-by-step checklist and leave nothing to chance."

The author explains why it's essential to begin the preparations by deciding what the meeting is intended to accomplish. That, in turn, determines what kind of meeting you should conduct: informational, advisory, or problem-solving. The author breaks down the essential tasks involved and even suggests the right type of person to handle each one. She describes various types of troublesome meeting attendees-from accusers and apathetics to fence-sitters and know-it-alls-and offers advice on how to deal tactfully but firmly with them all. The author also tackles working effectively with the media, a subject that terrifies most planners. True stories of public meetings, both good and bad, add humor to her no-nonsense narrative. Follow her step-by-step checklist and leave nothing to chance."

"That was an awful meeting. What a waste of my time!" How often have you had this same thought? Why do we tolerate bad meetings? Consider the last meeting you attended. How many of these pitfalls were evident? - Did not start on time. - Missing key people. - Lacked a clear purpose. - No agenda. - Few people engaged. - One or two people dominated. - Discussion wandered, repeatedly. - Key issues were not addressed. - No decisions made. - No follow-up actions. - The meeting was not worth the time. Have we lowered the bar so far that bad meetings have become the norm? Enough is enough. It is time to ignite a meetings revolution. How Do You Transform a Bad Meeting Culture? In The Secrets to Masterful Meetings, Michael Wilkinson provides leaders with a step-by-step guide for igniting a meetings revolution. The result: a complete culture transformation in which bad meetings become unacceptable! This book supplies a step-by-step guide for igniting and sustaining a meetings revolution which, if successful, will permanently change the way meetings are run in an organization. In his book, Wilkinson recommends that executives empower their people with a set of meeting rights. He then provides a comprehensive meetings transformation program that equips meeting leaders and meeting participants with tools for masterful meetings. What this Book Contains - 10 Meeting Rights to empower every participant. - 10 steps to transform your meeting culture. - 15 meeting problems and how to address them. - 4 strategies for eliminating unneeded meetings. - 6 tips for getting meetings started on time. - 3 robust tools for resolving disagreements. - 4 techniques for rescuing poorly run meetings. - 14 strategies for maximizing virtual meetings. - 6 agendas to use to gain the results you want. - 4 checklists for executing Masterful Meetings. - And much more. Give Yourself a Gift. Give a copy of this book to everyone whose meetings you attend: a gift that truly keeps on giving!

The Secrets of Facilitation delivers a clear vision of facilitation excellence and reveals the specific techniques effective facilitators use to produce consistent, repeatable results with groups. Author Michael Wilkinson has trained thousands of managers, mediators, analysts, and consultants around the world to apply the power of SMART (Structured Meeting And Relating Techniques) facilitation to achieve amazing results with teams and task forces. He shows how anyone can use these proven group techniques in conflict resolution, consulting, managing, presenting, teaching, planning, selling, and other professional as well as personal situations.

What makes for a great meeting? As a leader, how can you keep discussions on point and productive? In How to Run a Meeting, Antony Jay argues that too many leaders fail to plan adequately for meetings. In this bestselling article, he defines the characteristics that contribute to success, from keeping formal minutes to acknowledging junior staff first. These guidelines will help you get demonstrably better results from every meeting you run. Since 1922, Harvard Business Review has been a leading source of breakthrough ideas in management practice. The Harvard Business Review Classics series now offers you the opportunity to make these seminal pieces a part of your permanent management library. Each highly readable volume contains a groundbreaking idea that continues to shape best practices and inspire countless managers around the world.

Public meetings can be unpredictable, messy, hostile--or satisfying and successful. Good public meetings, the author explains, are the result of proper planning and execution by a staff trained in all the important details. In this book, Elaine Cogan, an experienced meeting designer and facilitator, spells out the key elements of successful public meetings: defining the purpose, selecting the best format and venue, publicizing the meeting, setting up the room, making presentations, dealing with potentially difficult or disruptive people, and conducting an evaluation process. With checklists for meeting planners and clear explanations of a number of innovative techniques, the author shows how public agencies, even those with the most limited resources, can have successful public meetings.