OPINION Clive Bache: Maximise your meeting sessions

The sales and marketing director at UK training venue Wyboston Lakes reveals the results of a poll of trainers and meeting hosts using the centre between September and November 2009.

The results of our research reveal the top tips on how to get messages across in a short period of time while in learning or meeting scenarios:

Break the ice early
Get to know your audience as quickly as possible as you will find that there are those who will contribute and those who simply won’t.
 
Make sure everyone is heard
To ensure all delegates have their say during the session, make sure that those who are perceived as being quieter, get a chance to contribute.  Acknowledge everyone’s contribution and use whiteboards or flipcharts to record good ideas from the group for later use.
 
Clarify the reason for being there
When learning a new skill, brainstorming or trying to get to grips with new procedures, clarify exactly what you are expecting from the delegates.
 
Stick to your guns
With everyone in agreement of what they are there for, make sure you keep on track with everyone contributing equally. Bring the conversation back on message if needs be.
 
Get delegates thinking together
Ask a question, but give the group some time to think, then ask all the group to share their thoughts.

Build the spirit of co-creation
For immediate engagement, welcome anecdotes and examples of workplace situations. These allow the presenter to base the presentation on things common to the audience.
 
Let the audience interact with peers
Set aside 10 minutes for attendees to discuss the presentation’s key themes in small groups. This helps to create a stronger connection to the content and its message.
 
Make the most of your human capital
If you have specialists in the group, use them to help reinforce a point.

Clive Bache is sales and marketing director at Wyboston Lakes.