Take A Hike
Out Of The Box
How shocked would your employees be if, as they filed into the
room for a meeting, you said "Today, let's do something
different. Why don't we go sit in the park instead?" If
you're feeling stuck for ideas when it comes to new and
creative meeting places, there's no need. Even a small change,
like going down the hall and sitting on sofas, can make a
difference. "The point is that you're trying to get out of
the box," McAndrew says. The main consideration for
entrepreneurs to keep in mind is that some things shouldn't be
taken outside the office-mainly proprietary information, which will
limit location choices depending on the nature of the session. Here
are some other tips: - Start Small. Beginning with informal one-on-one meetings
outside the office is a good way to encourage both you and your
employees to think outside the typical meeting rut when it's
time to discuss new ideas. Eventually, the whole group should
participate in the outside sessions.
- Know the meeting process. "Formal meetings are OK
for distributing information, but are a lousy way to get new
ideas," Vikesland says. He adds that there are three different
kinds of meetings: informational (for training and procedures),
problem-solving (for finding a solution) and brainstorming (for
strategizing and ideas). The brainstorming session, he says, adapts
best to outside the office because a relaxed atmosphere encourages
people to share more freely.
- Mine the knowledge. Getting out will reveal some things
about your employees that you may not have known before, especially
regarding your quieter staff members. While some people can tend to
dominate traditional roundtable office meetings, a dose of
spontaneity will allow other employees to take over as the experts.
Their way of looking at things may even surprise you. "This is
a way for the others to contribute their knowledge, which can
really shake things up," McAndrew says. So take advantage of
it.
Incorporating meeting opportunities that take place outside the
standard setting at your office will provide an outlet for your
employees and, with time, might even become habit-forming. Crawford
continues to set her sights higher, encouraging employees to
accompany her on hikes around "The Dish," a nearby three
mile trail. "I don't have any takers yet," she
laughs. "But if I have time for a meeting with an employee,
truthfully, I'd rather go there."  | Next
Step | | | | | - www.employer-employee.com:
Here, Gary Vikesland, a licensed psychologist and certified
employee-asstistance counselor, offers ideas on how employers and
employees can learn to work together better.
- www.sccu.edu/Faculty/R_Harris/crebook2.htm
is the Web site of Robert Harris, a professor at Vanguard
University of Southern California in Costa Mesa. Harris provides
visitors with a guide to classic creative thinking techniques and
how to produce new ideas and solutions.
|
Contact Sources
Content Continues Below
 Page 1 | 2 | 3
|
What makes a good client gift?
What guidelines do you follow when buying gifts for your clients? Have you ever received an unusual or inappropriate gift?
|