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Meeting Excellence: 33 Tools to Lead Meetings That Get Results

by: Glenn M. Parker Robert Hoffman
en

0787982814  9780787982812  

 


Meeting Excellence: 33 Tools to Lead Meetings That Get Results
By Glenn M. Parker, Robert Hoffman


 


Product Description:

Meeting Excellence is a comprehensive resource that provides a wide range of ready-to-use tools that have been developed and tested by a meeting initiative within Novartis Pharmaceuticals. It is based on years of research observing team meetings, examining existing meeting documents, and conducting a number of intensive individual interviews in the U.S. and Europe. This important book offers the information and tools needed to prepare, facilitate, and follow up on all your meetings. Step by step, Meeting Excellence shows how to

 



Summary: OK. Some useful tips, some filler.
Rating: 3

After reading Meeting Excellence I do believe I will be able to get more out of meetings both as a facilitator and as a participant. Chapters such as the one on creating an Action Agenda are very helpful.

Other parts of the book were less relevant to general meeting excellence, such as the chapter on integrating a new team member. I also wished more detail was provided, as sometimes the short chapters read almost like the Cliff's Notes on Meeting Excellence rather than the book itself.

Finally, I can save you the trouble of reading chapter 24: "Serious Fun at Team Meetings?" The answer is, "No."



Summary: This belongs on your bookshelf!
Rating: 5

Parker and Hoffman's newest book, Meeting Excellence is a first-class, practical guide to preparing and conducting meetings. It is a well-organized work that will have high utility for any meeting facilitator.

The book's chapters are heavily cross-referenced and loaded with well researched and proven tips, techniques and templates for setting up, running and evaluating meetings.

Of particular interest in today's complex world are chapters titled, Communicating in a Videoconference, Teleconference Tips, and Achieving Clear Communications in a Multicultural Meeting. They are short, clear and to the point.

Expert facilitators may be particularly interested in two of the entries in the Resources section: What Would You Do? Problem Scenarios for Meeting Facilitators, and Your Final Exam. The latter is a set of 25 multiple choice questions. Instead of the standard answer set you would expect to find at the end of such a quiz, the authors provide answer "clues" that cleverly loop the reader back to relevant chapters.

Even as an experienced facilitator, I found myself underlining and flagging page after page. I've copied check lists and reminders to take with me into important meetings. I keep it close at hand and refer to it often when prepping for my next meeting. Well worth the price and the time it takes to read this book.



Summary: Excellent Toolkit
Rating: 5


Hoffman and Parker have produced a high quality piece of work by coming up with pragmatic, clear and practical book on effective meeting management. This easy to read and use book is among the best on the market on meeting design, facilitation and management.

After reading this book, the reader will realize that meetings need not be just a nuisance and total waste of time and resources, but can be a very effective tool for the success of an organization if it is effectively managed.

All in all, the authors have offered solid and timely advice to help managers ensure that meetings presentations are professional and effective, everyone participates in the discussion, conflicts are effectively resolved, the meeting is kept lively, there is focus on achieving meeting goals and managers can choose among several internet based meeting tools, among other benefits. A very useful book that is well worth reading.



Summary: A Necessary Book
Rating: 5

Parker and Hoffman have a written a very needed book. It is a book that everyone who leads meetings or group discussions should keep on their desks. The book provides us with the needed tools to understand and lead effective group discussions. Parker and Hoffman not only tell us what to do but how to do it. Though only recently purcahsed i have already found myself thumbing through the book on several occassions looking for and finding the guidance i have needed. Of particular assistance has been their chapter three on How to Prepare an Action Agenda. Do not let anyone borrow this book it is not likely to be returned.



Summary: Deadly meetings no more
Rating: 5

Meeting Excellence is an extremely useful book. As its sub title suggests, Parker &Hoffman have consciously chosen to give their readers a toolkit versus a tome. They're smart for going that route and have, in my view, done a terrific job. Few organizations make meeting facilitation a priority - hence we don't see many meeting leaders getting very good at it. But for those who have the self awareness and the self interest for improving their productivity, this book is a must read. What's useful is that the book is written in an extremely readable style and organized in a format that works well for the novice meeting leader as well as the pro. They cover the landscape from ice-breakers to ensuring post meeting effective action and include vital tips on handling the land mines associated with tele/video-conference meetings as well. They even have a fun, short piece on integrating food into the meeting leading strategy. And although committed to the micro- toolkit approach, Parker &Hoffman are smart in recognizing that there's also a big picture to this challenge and have included a brief but excellent Fast Company article called: The Seven Sins of Deadly Meetings. It helps the reader frame the challenge and puts the toolkit in a helpful context. All in all Parker and Hoffman have made an excellent contribution to the noble and worthy cause of making our meetings less deadly and less sinful.