To develop and practice key skills that will enable you to:

• set up meetings for success with attendees who are motivated
• conduct meetings that solve problems and discover new opportunities
• build high quality, consensus decisions by the end of the meeting
• ensure effective follow up and implementation
• build your knowledge and confidence as a facilitator
• make a professional impact

Managers and professionals who want to acquire the skills and knowledge to plan, lead, facilitate and participate in meetings that are effective, satisfying and productive; and to use these skills to improve their personal impact within their organisation.

The companion courses recommended are Effective Presentation Skills and Effective Negotiating Skills.

Qualities of an Effective Meeting - The 7 "Ps"
• purpose - identifying the issues, why it is necessary
• planning - proper preparation prevents poor performance
• people - the right people, roles & contributions
• processes - applying efficient & effective processes
• potential - drawing out the group’s potential
• problem solving - overcoming breakdowns & barriers
• progress - reaching agreement with commitment so decisions are implemented

Planning & Set Up
• How to clarify desired outcomes
• Choosing the right type of meeting
• Selecting participants
• Managing your environment
• Selecting decision making methods
• Agendas for action
• Choosing the right presentation materials

Using Quality Awareness Experience
• Breakdowns in meetings
• Common problems

Problem Solving Processes & Tools
• Defining - brainstorming, impact analysis, selection grids
• Clarifying - flow charts, fishbones, affinity diagrams, Pareto charts
• Planning - force field analysis, contingency diagrams, check lists
• Implementing - action plans, resource allocation, timetables
• Monitoring - feedback loops

Facilitation Skills
• Improving work processes
• Balancing work tasks and emotional behaviours
• The role of the facilitator
• Active listening
• Recording
• Creating better meeting environments
• Interventions
• Handling difficult people

Action Planning & Moving Forward
• Closing the meeting
• Evaluation 
• Following through
• Minutes