MEETING FACILITATION

"What do you mean I have to tell them more than once?
These people are smart people. Surely, they know what they are supposed to do. I made it clear at our last meeting and even sent a memo on e-mail just last week."

Leading, guiding and sustaining change requires effective, on-going communication. A great deal of time is spent planning, developing new budgets, getting the right technology and people in place and drawing up new organizational charts. Time is also spent determining how all of this is going to be "rolled out" to those involved. However, we often fail to ascertain whether the way we will communicate the information is the best vehicle or process for employee assimilation, understanding, buy in, and follow through.

At the outset, understanding is more important than agreement. In meetings where communication is effective, people truly "understand", and this can mean the difference between a motivated and enthusiastic team and one that is frustrated and bewildered. At Great Pines Consulting we know how to design, organize, and facilitate meetings. Whatever the subject, we are masterful at setting the tone and creating a safe environment in which to participate. We can keep the process moving while being sure that people are involved, engaged and moving forward to the desired end.

Our meeting facilitation process:

• significantly improves group dynamics and buy-in to solutions and outcomes.
• accelerates change on the right priorities.
• identifies and breaks through barriers to success.
• is highly interactive.
• emphasizes accountability and follow through.
• utilizes effective techniques to overcome dysfunctional and disruptive behavior.
• manages conflict between group members and moves issues toward resolution.

Effective strategic leadership involves communication at all levels that leads to awareness, understanding, commitment and action on the part of others. When this is in place, silos disintegrate, cooperation increases, positive energy is on the rise and fun and profit are the deliverables of the day.