Oh No! Not Another Meeting!Written by C.J.Hayden
We’ve all had that reaction at one time or another when someone suggests there should be a meeting to resolve a problem, make a plan, or update each other on our progress. Often, it seems that same topics are discussed over and over, but even though everybody has good ideas, issues never get resolved. Meetings can be an effective way to solve problems, or just a frustrating waste of time. The difference is in how meeting is run. There are five elements needed for a successful business meeting: an agenda, an agreed-upon format, a chairperson, a scribe, and a system of accountability. The meeting agenda should be prepared and distributed in advance, so everyone knows what will be discussed. The chairperson typically prepares agenda, based on input from other participants. It is chair's task to balance what everyone wants to include with reality of what can be discussed in time available. If you disagree over what should be on agenda, call for a vote before proceeding. Every meeting should have a fixed ending time. It’s a law of universe that work will expand to fill time available. An open-ended meeting will run until everyone gets exhausted or there are too few people remaining to make any decisions. Agree on format for meeting before you begin. Will everyone be asked to speak in turn, or will there be open discussion? How much time will be allotted for each topic? Will decisions be made by most senior person present, or by group at large? How will group make its decisions? Must agreement be unanimous, or will a majority vote suffice? The chairperson must actively run meeting. He or she needs to keep proceedings on time, adhere to format, manage interruptions, and stick to agenda. If someone talks too much or gets off track, chair must be able to ask speaker to "bottom-line" what he or she wants to say, or steer speaker back to point.
| | TEN WAYS TO GET READY FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEWWritten by Jeff Altman, CPC, MSW
TEN WAYS TO GET READY FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEWLike preparing a great meal, interviewing requires preparation. Get good ingredients and give yourself time. Prepare food on plate to make meal attractive. All of these go into a great meal. Taking time to prepare for an interview will give you a huge leg up on your completion. 1.Schedule interviews at times that work for your metabolism. Are you a morning person? Why would you accept a 6PM interview? If you are a person who functions best in afternoon, try not to accept early morning appointments. If you are a person who needs to be conscious of their blood sugar, try to schedule your appointments at times when you are at your peak. If forced to accept one of your less ideal times, have a quick bite prior to interview to avoid “fading.” Avoid overeating. 2.Give yourself extra time to get to their offices. There are few things worse than getting to an interview late. 3.Arrive at office building 7-10 minutes early. If it is summer, you want to wait in lobby to cool off; no one likes shaking sweaty hands. If its winter, warm up; you don’t want someone’s early impressions of you formed by shaking a cold hand. Take a few minutes in lobby to get focused on what you will say. Allow a few minutes to get through building security so that you actually arrive at your interview on time and ready to go. 4.Properly introduce yourself to everyone you meet by saying. “My name is __________ and I have a 1:30 interview with ________________.” 5.If you are asked if they can hang your coat, accept offer; if offered a beverage, accept a beverage. You don’t have to drink coffee or tea. Soda, bottled water or water is fine. Thank whoever helps you. Declining offer may be rude in some cultures. 6.Take your seat in order to face greatest number of entry points into room so tat you can see someone approaching you. Being startled is not a good way to start a meeting.
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