Chairing Meetings

Introduction

People need to communicate in a variety of settings including briefings, committees, staff/management meetings and departmental discussions. Properly run meetings achieve buy-in, save time, increase motivation, productivity and solve problems. Meetings defuse conflict in a way emails and memos cannot. They create new ideas and initiatives, and can be more effective than the written word or telephone conferences, because 55% of the meaning and feeling is carried in facial expression and non-verbal signals. This course will show delegates how to contribute more effectively, prepare agendas and be more confident in the role of chair.

Aims

• Allow delegates to plan, facilitate, and record meetings
• Increase and manage participation
• Control flow and maximise time

• Get the best practical benefits from a meeting

Content

Meetings        

• Formal or Informal-the different types of meetings?
• What makes a meeting valuable?

• The reasons for having meetings

Agendas

• Preparation, strategy and tactics and structure

• What to include, what not to include

Chair

• Explore the role of Chairperson
• Purpose and impact of an Agenda, Minutes, Participants and follow up Actions
• Aims and objectives of the meeting

• The Chairperson, role and responsibilities

Opportunities

• Overcome objections
• Manage the agenda
• Keep to timescales

• Manage the people

Approach

Our ethos is to deliver a professional, interactive, informative and motivating session in a relaxed and engaging style, conducive to learning. We present a creative mixture of facilitator led discussion, taught content, discussion and group work, incorporating various activities.

Delegates are encouraged to work independently and collectively in order to share personal experiences, knowledge, skills and challenges, whilst also recording appropriate notes to complement handouts.

Delegates will be actively encouraged to take part throughout and also log the main learning points. This will ensure the learning outcomes are met, and help with future planning.

Who is the course suitable for?

This lively course will suit people working at any level who wish to improve their effectiveness at organising and running meetings, including those who currently manage/chair meetings and those who will be required to take on the responsibility in the future.

Duration

1 day