Overview
Meetings are an essential part of business life.  They bring people together to share information, solve problems and make decisions.  Too many meetings, however, are poorly planned, poorly managed, experienced as a waste of time or fail to satisfy objectives.  This Workshop is designed to overcome these problems by examining the different objectives that meetings can have and what needs to happen before, during and after a meeting in order to ensure that it is successful.  It is also designed to enable participants to practise the effective skills of chairing and participating in shorter, more productive meetings.

Who Should Attend
Those who are required to run and / or attend meetings and who wish to achieve success.

Benefits
By the end of the Workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify the purpose of different meetings and set specific objectives
• Organise and prepare for a meeting
• Demonstrate the skills of chairing a meeting effectively
• Develop communications skills and efficiently conduct professional meetings
• Encourage contributions from all participants
• Handle difficult situations or members within the meeting
• Participate effectively in meetings

Workshop Contents

• The Purpose of a Meeting: what type of Meetings Culture is required?  Who should attend?  Cost of meetings – do they all have to be there?
• Role and Responsibilities:  Chairing and Participating:; Chairing Skills; Generating Discussion
• Meeting Logistics: creating the right environment; meeting room preparation; visual aids
• Planning: the Agenda; Content and Format; preparing documentation
• Dealing with Group Dynamics: Interpersonal Skills; Handling Difficult Situations / People; Managing Conflict; Enabling Action; Gaining Commitment
• Closing the meeting: Summarising; points of Action; ways in which decisions will be implemented
• Dissemination of Information:  Minutes; Formats; Timing