Workshops

The Difference between a Workshop and a Meeting!

There is a very wide range of workshops. Often its just a meeting between a few people, but they feel the need to call it a workshop rather than a meeting. Clearly there is a feeling that work rather than just listening or talking is going to take place. But that requires preparation before hand.

Clarify the objective: You will, as a minimum, need a list of actions at the end of the activity and the people to carry them out will be the participants (or at least some of them).

Select the people: Talk to them beforehand, manage expectations. Sometimes people are invited for diplomatic reasons rather than their knowledge or expected participation. Make sure there is a wide a diverse set of views present. That is crucial, remember bringing people together makes sense of they have different points of view.It is useful to get the senior stakeholder involved even if for the workshop wrap up.

Prepare the material: A pre-read is useful, not only for the participants but also for yourself. It can provide a a structure for the workshop.Working with creative’s / designers can be a big plus point here. Rather than blank pages in the always have back up answers for all the possible situations. You need a result.

Set Timing/Location: For a simple workshop with a handful of people reserve a room and layout the chairs, tables drawing materials you will need. Only go off site if you believe a change of surroundings will be conducive to more thinking out of the box. it is key to avoid people just sitting down and worse of all, start emailing, or taking calls. So selecting persons with a vested interest in the result is key. Sometimes short workshops of a two hours or so but held on a regular basis can be more productive to move things ahead rather than a big bang approach and going off site.

Planning / Follow up: Always plan the follow up before you even start. It makes for a higher chance of success if you plan in a sequence of for example 4 workshops each lasting 2 hours but held every week. That allows systematic followup of interim actions and keeps people involved and moving ahead.

Contact me if you would like further details.