Before you get into the actual business agenda, it is important to revisit your mission and vision. You can't do this enough. Take five minutes. Draw it, talk about it, sing it. Show a slide show, use video, use music. Whatever it takes, revisit the vision before you start on the business agenda. This is necessary to help all of us let go of the daily pressures, recall the total context, and thus be 'centred' ready to think, plan, problem solve the agenda of the meeting. Remember: 'Without a vision, the people perish.'

- 13. The Big Finish

Meetings need beginnings and endings. How did the meeting progress? Don't assume. Ask. You can ask everyone to put a word or a phrase or an image on a Post-it note that sums up how the meeting actually went. These post it notes are the ticket of exit and are available for all to see. We also ask that people put their names on their feedback (as long as they feel they won't lose their job if they tell the truth.) If they can't tell the truth then that is the real issue the organization needs to deal with before they do anything else.

You can also create what we call a 'Kaleidoscope Wheel'. Everyone who wishes gives a word or an image about the meeting to put up on the chart paper. Draw a large circle on a white sheet of paper on the wall. Ask for words that reflect the reaction and feelings about the meeting. Be sure to emphasize you are not asking for good or bad words, simply words that reflect the participants summary of the event. We tell people that if they do not get their word up in public they shouldn't say it "behind anyone's back" in hallways, staff rooms or at the coffee pot. Often the summation is different than what one expects. Again this puts an end to guessing and assumption. Quiet groups have often come up with deep messages that reflect the spirit of the meeting or workshop event. Use graphics and color. Also invite images as well as words. This is a living and alive evaluation tool for all to see - a public record of what the community is thinking and feeling. At a recent meeting the words and images included: love, a heart, anger, energy, an action arrow, together, scared, excited, and a light bulb.

Make sure there is coffee or tea ready so people can congregate for informal time together before they run off. Home made baking is great. Members can take turns being responsible for bringing 'treats' to end the meeting. End as you began with music that reflects the tone of your event.

#### Summing Up

It is our strong opinion as frequent meeting attendees and facilitators that all the above is doable. There are no big money expenditures, although creating the right environment takes time. Building good teams and having great meetings means investing time. We believe it is well spent.

If you do all the above, the business part of the meeting will go smoothly and faster than you would believe. Management research is conclusive that actual meeting time decreases and work productivity increases if you have the right environment and create a problem solving culture. (Note: There are always serious issues in organizations, but if we use these tools, our capacity to actually tackle tough issues increases - rather than