Solutions: A DRI Consulting Newsletter

Issue 7 October 2008 (Page 2)

Tips for Conducting Effective Meetings

  1. Do not meet if the matter can be resolved by other means
  2. Make the purpose known to those involved
  3. Involve only those whose presence is needed
  4. Start on-time
  5. End on-time
  6. Stay on topic and keep a "parking lot" for other issues as they arise
  7. Prepare your thoughts
  8. Schedule well in advance
  9. Assign a "lead" to facilitate the meeting
  10. Cancel if the need gets met

Recommended Reading:

Business Psychology in Practice
Pauline Grant

Although primarily aimed at those working directly in the field of business psychology, it is a useful and comprehensive overview of the range of practical business psychology, well referenced and with personal observations from experienced and successful practitioners. For those who regularly work with consultants, it provides a helpful summary and useful insight into the strengths and weaknesses of practices relied on by very many businesses. The book is well structured and indexed, and logically laid out. It reviews the role of consultancy, covers the organizational landscape, examines the contribution of predictive techniques, looks at the release of talent and applies the use of business psychology to organizational systems and organizational change.

The book is easily read, and includes referenced material and personal observations from a number of practitioners. It is also well illustrated with practical case study examples, which cover diverse issues concerning consultancy, work performance, and the practical challenges of assessing new hires.

Client Story:

The Client Situation:

DRI Consulting (DRIC) has been assisting a particular client in hiring, developing, and retaining its employees for almost ten years. Currently, the organization is in need of clarifying its role to customers and its expectations of employees.

Strategic Plan:

DRI Consultants met initially with the Director of the organization and then her direct reports to explore her needs and those of the company. After gaining a conceptual understanding of how to proceed, the Consultants then gathered numerous documents from client files with their permission, including past business plans, meeting agendas, job descriptions, and sales documents, among others. In collaboration with the Director, and certain managers and staff, the Consultants drafted a company handbook that served as a central document for the organization, providing much needed strategic direction and easy-to-find information.

The Outcome:

Working with the customer to develop this handbook was a great success. Merging together pieces of important documents, and working with the leadership team to define information not found in the documents, served to align different functions within the organization. The final draft of the handbook included the organization's mission, vision, values, competencies, customer focus, services, strategic plans, guidelines for action, and staff biographies. The client was able to use this document both internally and externally to achieve its outcome of clarifying what it has to offer its customers, and which employee is responsible for what. Ensuring consistent and wide-spread use of the handbook ultimately increased the quality of its functioning and services to clientele.