|
Keep meeting participation high by rewarding people
By Jana M. Kemp
Tired of people not showing up for meetings? Wondering why people's bodies are present but their minds are elsewhere?
Maybe the benefits of participating aren't clear to attendees. Without a clear benefit, attendees will physically and/or mentally opt-out of meetings. Meeting benefits include: learning something new, feeling more confident or excited about a project or item discussed, and being able to do something differently or better as a result of being at the meeting.
Clearly state what benefits can be taken away and you'll discover more people who are willing to attend and participate. Which is just the beginning. Without ongoing rewards for that participation, the cycle of mentally and physically opting out may begin again.
Office meetings:
Regular office and staff meeting attendance and participation can be rewarded in a variety of no-cost and low-cost ways.
1. Start the meeting on time. Reward those who make it to the meeting on time. Doing so is a sign of respect.
2. End the meeting on time. Respecting meeting time-limits shows respect for the individuals in attendance.
3. Food and/or beverage selection.
4. Recognition. Meeting agenda items can include time for verbal praise, certificate distribution, and award acceptances. |
5. Presentation opportunities. Making a presentation calls on an attendee's expertise. So, asking someone to make a presentation can be a reward or recognition opportunity. However, some attendees may be so uncomfortable making a presentation that the experience turns into punishment rather than a reward.
6. Say thank you more often. Before, after and during the meeting, acknowledge time spent, contributions made and expertise shared.
Conference or special event meetings:
1. Registration packet bonus items. Make people feel so paid attention to that they want to return year after year to the conference. Give always include carrying bags, pens, pencils, special name badge stickers, shirts, notebooks and more.
2. Speakers are participants too. Recognize speakers with honorariums and/or free-registration to the conference.
3. Food, fun and entertainment. People will be more likely to work hard if they also have an opportunity to play during the conference. Schedule tours, theater, music and food-focused events for attendees and their families.
Annual meetings:
1. Again, company products or logo give-aways. Give away useful reminders of the company's product, service or company name. Examples include pens, pads of sticky notes, software, shirts, jackets, golf balls and so on.
2. Information. Valuable information about the company is what investors expect at an annual meeting. Consider including informational exhibits and displays.
3. Question and Answer Opportunities. Participation is required and rewarded all in one agenda item.
Every meeting attendee wants to benefit from time invested in a meeting. Every meeting can offer a reward. Build a benefit and reward into your next meeting or run the risk of losing participation and attendance.
 K eep Good People On-board Share your Keeping People! Email jana@janakemp.com and let me know of your trials and triumphs! I'll share the ideas a future column - with your permissions of course. Looking for ideas now? Love'em or Lose'em by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans or any of author Bob Nelson's 1001 ways to. books can help.
# # #
Jana M. Kemp is an internationally recognized speaker, author and workshop provider on the subjects of improving day-to-day business activities. Jana hosts Momentum(tm) every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on KBOI 670am. Reach Jana via her website www.janakemp.com
Now online...Better Meetings for Everyone.
Get easy to implement tips on how you can improve your meeting,
decision making and time management skills by subscribing here
to Jana Kemp's quarterly e-newsletter. Click
here to subscribe.
|
