Phil Factor's recent blog on The Joy of IT
Meetings contains a lot of good advice, but if you really want your meetings to be productive, I can only suggest you adopt
the Simple-Talk approach. All you need are some good people, a traditional local
hostelry, some lovingly-brewed real ale and about 2 hours.
Here's a snapshot from our latest meeting, which took place
at lunchtime in the excellent "Live and Let Live" pub in Cambridge:
On the right is Simon Galbraith (CEO) in his favourite top
hat. In the centre, Dan Nunan (marketing) and on the right is Richard Collins (also marketing – a fine "ideas"
man, though somewhat gruff in nature and always prepared for rain).
A lively debate concerning future directions of Simple-Talk
had been in full flow when Dan, unfortunately, suggested turning the site into
a "web 2.0-enabled social media community" and Phil Factor stormed
out of the pub in disgust. I quickly handed Dan his clay pipe, set "Schubert's
Unfinished Symphony" playing on the gramophone to create a placating atmosphere, and
rushed out to assuage Phil (this explains why neither of us are in the photo). Fortunately,
I was able to tempt Phil back in with the offer of another fine pint of
Nethergate Umbel ale and a pork pie.
After that, practical ideas and incisive debate flowed as freely
as the ale. And this wasn't just alcohol-fuelled hot air – in the next week or
so on Simple-Talk, you'll be able to see the end result of many of these ideas.
Ah yes. If you want productive and creative meetings, I can
recommend this approach whole-heartedly.
Cheers!
Tony.