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Monday, July 21, 2008

Preparing for the Workshop

Role of the Facilitator
    -Establish professional and objective tone to the meeting.
    -Start and stop the meeting on time.
    -Establish and enforce the “rules” for the meeting.
    -Introduce the goals and agenda for the meeting.
    -Manage the meeting and keep the team “on track.”
    -Facilitate a process of decision and consensus making, but avoid participating in the content.
    -Make certain that all stakeholders participate and have their input heard.
    -Control disruptive or unproductive behavior.
Workshop Agenda
    -Set an agenda before the workshop and publish it along with the other pre-workshop documentation.
    -Balance is the key, try to stay on the agenda, but do not strictly obey it, especially if good discussion is going on.
    -Order lunch in, and have a light working lunch. :-)
Running the Workshop
    -Allow for human behavior, and have fun with it.
    -Do not “attack” other members.
    -Do not get on a soap box.
    -Do not come back late from a break.
    -Workshop tickets
        -Give every stakeholder 3 workshop tickets
                -1 for being late
                -1 for “cheap shot”
                -1 for “soap box”
    -Facilitator takes tickets when appropriate. If you do not have a ticket create a fund to add to, like $1 to pot for after workshop activities.
Workshop Problems and Suggestions
    -Time Management
            It’s difficult to get going after breaks and lunch.
            Key shareholders may be late returning
            Grandstanding, domineering positions
            Lack of input from stakeholders
    -Negative comments, petty behaviors, and turf wars
    -Flagging energy after lunch
    -Facilitator keeps a timer for all breaks and fines anyone that is late, everyone gets one free pass.
    -Everyone gets one 5 minute position statement.
    -Facilitator encourages everyone to use 5-minute position and great idea ticket.
    -Use “Cheap Shot Tickets”, all others cost money.
    -Lite lunches, afternoon breaks, rearrange seating



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