The ability to make and implement decisions during a meeting results in a productive group, and members who are motivated to carry on. The key to productive meetings is involving people - try out some of these techniques. Before going on, let's find out what is on your minds. Let's have comments from anyone who wants to speak, but limit yourself to one sentence. The one liner technique provides members of the group with a chance to find out what everyone else is thinking.
Members get a number of abbreviated opinions instead of one or two long speeches.
The one-sentence limit may seem like an imposition, but once this pattern is set, each person will make a point of being clear and concise. After a short discussion, ask for a quick show of hands to determine group support for proposed ideas, to decide what to do next, and so on. Even this minimal level of participation gives people the opportunity to express an opinion. Buzz groups are subgroups. They break the ice, generate ideas, and enable everyone to participate.