Meetings occur in every business, industry and profession. They vary from a few minutes on minor topics to lengthy ones on topics that can affect viability, progress, achievement, even continued employment. They can be constructive, positive and achieve what an agenda indicates, or boring, time-wasting and achieve nothing except to demoralise all involved.

Planning properly, presentation using suitable techniques and strategies, then achieving positive outcomes is the aim of any type of meeting - small group, large group, face-to-face, online, … .

The concentration here is on technique rather than technology, though some aspects of this are included.

Ways of achieving positive meetings are covered. This includes specific techniques, including some on How Not To Run a Meeting with resources to put these techniques into operation.

Planning Meetings

Meetings

• Business Meetings
  Use the wizard to help your planning not only for business meetings but for other meetings as well.
• Effective Meetings
  Every aspect from planning to presenting and even the use of technology.
  Excellent coverage !
• Meeting Wizard
  Use the links on the left hand menu, or use the online tools and resources to help you handle meeting planning.
• Organising Meetings And Events
  Information Sheets on all aspects, available in HTML and PDF formats.
• Planning Meetings
  From the ‘Strategic and Business Planning Free Resource Centre. Articles on managing meetings to save time and frustration’. Other Planning information also available on the site.

Techniques used in Meetings

Commonly used techniques designed to make meetings more productive. Several are also used in non-meeting situations.

• CreatingMinds
  ‘Our goal is to provide you with real and useful principles, tools, articles and quotes about all matters around being creative and using creativity. Access all sections from the navigation bar on the left. Or bounce off the hotlinks listed’.
• Creativity Techniques - an A to Z
  ‘This is a general category of Creativity and Innovation Techniques, simply listed in alphabetical order. Like most tools these creativity techniques all have their good and bad points. They are all very useful, but you have to pick the right tool [creativity technique] for each job. We will try and provide a little guidance along with each tool to let you know what it’s best used for doing’.

Brainstorming

• Brainstorming
  Background, information for individual and group brainstorming, links to further information, how to go about the process.
• Brainstorming [2]
  Step by step description of the process, embedded links, links to variations, references, more. From Wikipedia.
• Brainstorming Technique
  For Problem-Solving, Team-Building and Creative Process. Clear summary of the steps involved, clarification of the main points. Links to further information.
• Free Brainstorming Training
  Tutorials that cover every aspect, from what it is and what benefits to advanced techniques, generating a creative environment.
• The Step by Step Guide To Brainstorming
  Clear detail, links to other information. Don’t forget to check the contents of the left menu, including the PDF downloads.

Delphi Technique

Not directly used in meetings, though results and some processes can often be used at them.

• Delphi
  Succinct presentation covering history, usage.
• Delphi [2]
  For those who want to know the development and background, access these documents from RAND, the originators of the method. ‘Publications that are available online will have a link to a Full Document. Document Abstracts generally include an abstract along with ordering information’.
• Delphi Method
  History, key characteristics, facilitator’s role, usage, reference, links, more. From Wikipedia.
• Delphi Technique, What is It ?
  ‘Originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them together face to face. In recent times, however, it has taken on an all new meaning and purpose’.
• The Delphi Method
  Techniques and Applications. ‘The authors of this book are providing this digital version Free to visitors of this Web Site. Clicking any of the chapter titles will take you to the HTML page. Alternatively, you can download each chapter or the whole book in PDF format’.
  Exceptional !

Top of Page

Lateral Thinking

• Creative Thinking and Lateral Thinking Techniques
  Part of a larger section on advanced Brainstorming. Links to essential pre-information and a range of techniques that fall within the category.
• Lateral Thinking
  Describes the process coined by deBono. Provides examples, links to other aspects of creative thinking. Puzzles, questions, references, other links. From Wikipedia.
• Lateral Thinking Technique
  Straightforward presentation that covers the essentials.

Mind Mapping

• How to Make a Mind Map® in 8 Steps
  Very clear, specific presentation, also brief.
• Mind Map
  Using mind maps, tools, guidelines, research, more. From Wikipedia.
• Mindmaps Directory
  39 page directory covering 500+ mind maps, some just as the diagram, others with additional information, some simple, some complex. Select via the image, or by tags. Some are also available as PDF downloads. All educational levels and samples from around the world [including Australia].

Nominal Group Technique

• Nominal Group Technique
  Brief summary covering underlying principles, procedures, adaptation for either ill-structured problems or greater anonymity.
• Nominal Group Technique [2]
  When to use it, how to understand it, examples of usage, step-by-step instruction, several variations on the theme.
• Nominal Group Technique [NGT]
  Idea Creation Tools. Description, when to use, procedure, considerations. Don’t forget to check the Read More link at the top, left, for related material/resources.
• Nominal Group Technique [NGT] [2]
  Background, then an example to show how the process operates.

Role Playing

• Role Play
  ‘In this article I outline several reasons for using role play in the classroom and I will offer some tips for getting the most out of role play’.
• Role-Playing Exercises
  Why and how you can use role play, references, resource links and a link to Detailed Instructions on Designing and Running Role-Playing Exercises.
• What is Role Playing ?
  Of most value would be the links to resources, including PDF/Word resources. Instructional Strategies Online.

Top of Page

Running Effective Meetings

• 5 Tips for Being a Virtual Meetings Virtuoso
  ‘Here are five new ideas you can implement today to keep your virtual meeting attendees engaged and contributing’.
• 7 Ways to Run Effective Meetings
  From Teaching Expertise. Short but sensible presentation.
• 8 Steps to Running Meetings Confidently
• Chairing Meetings
  Befofre and during the meeting and what to do at the end. Note the Related Article section on the right, Other articles are listed for this aspect.
• Fourteen Tips for Running a Good Meeting
  Blog Entry.
• Guidelines for Taking Meeting Minutes
  Short common sense, presentation from eHow. Check the More Articles Like This section.
• How to Create an Agenda, Step by Step
  ‘Creating an effective agenda is one of the most important elements for a productive meeting. Here are some reasons why the meeting agenda is so important’. Related articles listed at the bottom.
• How to Run a Meeting
  From eHow. Several videos are also accessible.
• How to Run an Effective Meeting
  Cyrus Farivar, BNET Australia. Takes it point by point in a well presented article.
• How to Run An Effective Meeting on IRC
  Primarily about online meetings, but most points are also relevant to face-to-face meetings.
• How to Run An Effective Meeting [Wikihow]
  ‘Productive, valuable and engaging meetings require a clear goal, an open dialogue and a strong leader. Here’s how to make your meetings matter’.
• Icebreakers
  ‘ce breakers are a great way to begin a meeting. They help to relax participants, and that makes them more receptive to listening and contributing’.
• Mad About Meetings
  MyCareer.com.au. ‘Make your meetings more efficient by eliminating the monkey business’. Covers Before, During and The Follow Up.
• Meetings, Bloody Meetings
  For sale or hire. If you can access these John Cleese films, you will not only learn but enjoy the process. Australian supplier.
• Meeting Dilemmas … Solved !
  ‘Check out the Meeting Guru’s latest solutions to your meeting dilemmas’.
• Meetings - How to Organize and Run Meetings More Effectively
  Basic steps including General Tips, Agenda Setting, roles and procedures at the meeting. Brief and easy to understand.
• Running a Meeting
  Mind Tools. ‘There are good meetings and there are bad meetings. Bad meetings drone on forever. Effective ones leave you energized and feeling that you’ve really accomplished something. So what makes a meeting effective? ’ Extensive article.
• Running a Meeting [Slideshow]
  Points presented as a sequence of slides.
• Running Effective Meetings
  Overview, Planning, Effective Chairing, Decision Making.
• Running Effective Meetings [2]
  Step by step from what doesn’t work to non-verbal listening, ideas for creative meetings. Mostly point format.
• Running Effective Meetings [Scribd]
  Another slideshow presentation but with some different content. Cartoon figures, data, questions, more.
• Running More Productive Meetings
  List of explanatory points, with a final statement to use what works for you.
• Taking Minutes
  ‘The following is a guide for making this task easier’.
• Ten Rookie Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  Article with mistakes covered in sections. Well thought out.

Top of Page

Presentation Help

Connecting a Laptop to a Projector

A process often used to give, or assist with presentations. Can be used for static [e.g. slides] or video presentations. The information is basic, but covers all that is required.

• How to Connect a Laptop and Projector
  Simple steps clearly spelt out for everyone.
• How to Connect Your Laptop to a Projector
  Several simple steps clearly spelt out for everyone. Video and text.

General Resources

• Australian Speak Easy Association
  Self-help group aiding those who stutter and find speaking difficult.
• Art of Speaking in Public
  Tips that help improve your public speaking.
• Buzzword Bingo !
  ‘Do you keep falling asleep during meetings and conference calls ? Buzzword Bingo is a way to change all of that !’. There is always something available with for a bit of fun. Take it the way it was intended.
• Inspiration
  Download [time limited] versions for students or adults to develop presentation process and content. Processes such as flowcharting also covered. There is a version for Early Learning.
• National Speaker’s Association
  Join if a ‘professional’ speaker. Events, newsletter. Fee-based.
• Learning Connection
  Helps develop and give oral presentations. Provides ideas and tools for evaluation and improving in the future.
• Q Manual
  Check Chapter 11 - Presentation Skills. Monash University Business & Economics Faculty. Covers relevant points.
• The English Book
  A place to find information on oral rather than graphic or written presentations.
• Web Conferencing
  Online Meetings & Presentations. Annotated links. Most are Fee-based.

Power Point Presentations

Commonly used method. These will help make a better product.

• Learning Power Point 2000
  Printable information relating to this.
• Advanced Power Point
  Links to many tutorials for different aspects of using Power Point.
• Effective Presentations
  ‘Dedicated to Microsoft PowerPoint, reviewing different techniques of creating presentations using this member of the Microsoft Office suite. The lessons are mostly incremental and cumulative’.
• Free Presentation Templates
  ‘Free Microsoft^® Office^® PowerPoint^® templates for your presentations. Each template is free and has several slides included that are ready to use. Creating unique and original presentations has never been this easy !’
• Guidelines for PowerPoint Presentations
  Brief comments.
• More Advanced Features in Microsoft PowerPoint
  ‘Learn more advanced techniques in PowerPoint such as working with slide masters, creating new design templates or themes, automate your presentations, rehearse the timings, copy or move slides between presentations and working with multiple computers’.
• PowerPoint, Paint Shop Pro & PhotoShop
• PowerPoint Tips
• The PowerPoint FAQs
  ‘Questions about PowerPoint ? Answers Here ! You’ll find PowerPoint Help, PowerPoint Templates, PowerPoint Tips, PowerPoint Add-ins, How-Tos, Links, more. There’s a Mac.specific section of the FAQ too’.
• PowerPoint Heaven - Tutorials
  ‘In this section, you will be able to find step-by-step PowerPoint tutorials, tips and tricks on how to create sophisticated PowerPoint animations, games and artworks. The tutorials and samples on this site make use of advanced animations that are introduced in PowerPoint 2002/XP and above’.
• Web by Design, PowerPoint 2000 Basics

Press Releases

Often used to ensure others are aware of the outcomes of meetings. These can prove valuable when done properly

• 10 Essential Tips for Writing Press Releases
  Short and to the point presentation. Part of a larger site.
• How to Write a Great Press Release
  Provides a template and discusses all the relevant steps to take.
• How to Write a Press Release
  ‘A press release, also known as a media release, is simply a written statement to the media [or others]. It is a fundamental tool of PR work, one that anyone willing to use the proper format can use’. From Wikihow.
• How to Write a Proper Press Release
  Includes instructions and Tips & Warnings. From eHow.

Top of Page

© D & B Mann Webmasters. All rights reserved. Last updated - 17 May 2012.
Best viewed at a resolution of 1280 x 800 or greater. We use and recommend Mozilla Firefox as the preferred browser.