Let*s Stop Meeting Like This: Tools To Save Time And Get More Done

Ugh - meetings. They're where productivity goes to die, right? There has to be a better way. According to leading consultants Dick and Emily Axelrod, there is. Using the same principles that make video games so engaging and that transformed the numbing assembly line into the dynamic shop floor, the Axelrods outline a flexible and adaptable system used to run truly productive meetings in all kinds of organizations - meetings where people create concrete plans, accomplish tasks, build connections, and move projects forward. They show how to design every aspect of a meeting - from the way you greet people at the beginning to how you sum up at the end - so that real work actually gets done. Those who have adopted this system will never go back. Neither will you.

Rather than waste time in and get mad at meetings, read this book and learn how to make meetings more productive and pleasurable. Edgar H. Schein, Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management, and author, most recently, of Humble Inquiry"

"By applying a fresh four-step process rooted in their benchmark research on engagement, the Axelrods offer a way to move meetings from something to be dreaded to a valuable and essential business tool." --Tom Jasinski, Vice President of Human Resources and Global Head of Design and Change Management, MetLife, Inc. "Most senior executives do not know how to make meetings productive. But as the world becomes more interdependent, meetings will become more frequent and a more necessary part of the work of organizations. Rather than waste time in and get mad at meetings, read this book and learn how to make them more productive." --Edgar H. Schein, Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management, and author of Humble Inquiry "Dick and Emily Axelrod have done an amazing job in their new book, helping us navigate through our most precious resource--time. The time we spend in conference room meetings is increasing, and Let's Stop Meeting Like This maps out a reliable process to maximize our return on investment in meetings." --Eric Lindblad, Vice President and General Manager, 747 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes "This book will change your feelings about meetings and give them the importance they deserve. These ideas are the means to create communities of committed and powerful people." --Peter Block, author of Stewardship and Community "Reading this book is invaluable time well spent. It's the most practical and instantly applicable resource available for not only revolutionizing meetings but providing effective and tangible ways people can work together productively and creatively." --Angeles Arrien, PhD, cultural anthropologist and President, Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research "Well-run meetings have a critical impact on the change process, so if you are responsible for significant transformational efforts, do yourself a favor and read Let's Stop Meeting Like This." --Daryl Conner, Chairman, Conner Partners, and author of Managing at the Speed of Change "With this book you can create meetings that are engaging, productive, and intentional. Whether you are an OD practitioner, leader, or frequent meeting participant, the tools and approaches shared by Dick and Emily Axelrod can be quickly put into practice to achieve dramatic results." --Kim Gallagher Johnson, Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Allstate Insurance "Let's Stop Meeting Like This has tangible advice and tools to get more commitment and better outcomes from meetings. I strive to have effective meetings but face the usual struggles of people feeling disconnected. Now I have the tools to transform my meetings from a task to a time to be innovative." --Terri Hill, President, Fortune 100 insurance company "I'm not used to some of the creative recommendations that Dick and Emily make: Meetings should be voluntary? No ice breakers? Instead, whether we are facilitators, leaders, or meeting contributors, we're welcomed into a well-designed meeting and are left with much more confidence in our ability to carry out meetings well." --Jean Bartunek, Robert A. and Evelyn J. Ferris Chair and Professor of Management and Organization, Boston College "The authors have created a perfect blend of lessons by stirring in illustrative stories to a brilliant blueprint for effective meetings. The result? The most engaging, no-nonsense, helpful guide I've ever read on this topic. Read it quick--before your next meeting!" --Sharon Jordan-Evans, coauthor of Love 'Em or Lose 'Em "With just the right balance of people and process, this book provides a great way to turn a negative into a double-positive--more productive meetings and increased levels of employee engagement." --Kevin Limbach, Vice President, US Operations, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company "This very clearly written book will be extremely helpful to leaders wishing to shift the workplace culture to be more effective and more relational." --Rabbi Deborah Prinz, Director of Program and Member Services, Central Conference of American Rabbis "While I have organized and participated in many meetings during my career, I certainly learned a great deal about a subject I have taken for granted. This is a must-read for anyone who organizes or participates in meetings and seeks to make the experience more valuable and rewarding." --Thomas C. Homburger, former Chairman, Real Estate Division, K&L Gates "The spirit of the book alone can transform the quality of meetings, but the memorable model it offers ensures a group can improve its meeting experience. One chapter on repairing meetings by itself is worth the full price of admission." --Ira Chaleff, author of The Courageous Follower "The authors know what they are talking about and provide an easy-to-remember formula that actually works. Their book will make you smile in recognition and raise your eyebrows in appreciation of some new ideas." --Beverly Kaye, founder and Chairwoman of the Board, Career Systems International, and coauthor of Love 'Em or Lose 'Em and Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go

By applying a fresh four-step process rooted in their benchmark research on engagement, the Axelrods offer a way to move meetings from something to be dreaded to a valuable and essential business tool. Tom Jasinski, Vice President of Human Resources and Global Head of Design and Change Management, MetLife, Inc. Most senior executives do not know how to make meetings productive. But as the world becomes more interdependent, meetings will become more frequent and a more necessary part of the work of organizations. Rather than waste time in and get mad at meetings, read this book and learn how to make them more productive. Edgar H. Schein, Professor Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management, and author of Humble Inquiry Dick and Emily Axelrod have done an amazing job in their new book, helping us navigate through our most precious resource time. The time we spend in conference room meetings is increasing, and Let s Stop Meeting Like This maps out a reliable process to maximize our return on investment in meetings. Eric Lindblad, Vice President and General Manager, 747 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes This book will change your feelings about meetings and give them the importance they deserve. These ideas are the means to create communities of committed and powerful people. Peter Block, author of Stewardship and Community Reading this book is invaluable time well spent. It s the most practical and instantly applicable resource available for not only revolutionizing meetings but providing effective and tangible ways people can work together productively and creatively. Angeles Arrien, PhD, cultural anthropologist and President, Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research Well-run meetings have a critical impact on the change process, so if you are responsible for significant transformational efforts, do yourself a favor and read Let s Stop Meeting Like This. Daryl Conner, Chairman, Conner Partners, and author of Managing at the Speed of Change With this book you can create meetings that are engaging, productive, and intentional. Whether you are an OD practitioner, leader, or frequent meeting participant, the tools and approaches shared by Dick and Emily Axelrod can be quickly put into practice to achieve dramatic results. Kim Gallagher Johnson, Director of Organizational Effectiveness, Allstate Insurance Let s Stop Meeting Like This has tangible advice and tools to get more commitment and better outcomes from meetings. I strive to have effective meetings but face the usual struggles of people feeling disconnected. Now I have the tools to transform my meetings from a task to a time to be innovative. Terri Hill, President, Fortune 100 insurance company I m not used to some of the creative recommendations that Dick and Emily make: Meetings should be voluntary? No ice breakers? Instead, whether we are facilitators, leaders, or meeting contributors, we re welcomed into a well-designed meeting and are left with much more confidence in our ability to carry out meetings well. Jean Bartunek, Robert A. and Evelyn J. Ferris Chair and Professor of Management and Organization, Boston College The authors have created a perfectblend of lessons by stirring in illustrative stories to a brilliant blueprint for effective meetings. The result? The most engaging, no-nonsense, helpful guide I've ever read on this topic. Read it quick before your next meeting! Sharon Jordan-Evans, coauthor of Love Em or Lose Em With just the right balance of people and process, this book provides a great way to turn a negative into a double-positive more productive meetings and increased levels of employee engagement. Kevin Limbach, Vice President, US Operations, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Company This very clearly written book will be extremely helpful to leaders wishing to shift the workplace culture to be more effective and more relational. Rabbi Deborah Prinz, Director of Program and Member Services, Central Conference of American Rabbis While I have organized and participated in many meetings during my career, I certainly learned a great deal about a subject I have taken for granted. This is a must-read for anyone who organizes or participates in meetings and seeks to make the experience more valuable and rewarding. Thomas C. Homburger, former Chairman, Real Estate Division, K&L Gates The spirit of the book alone can transform the quality of meetings, but the memorable model it offers ensures a group can improve its meeting experience. One chapter on repairing meetings by itself is worth the full price of admission. Ira Chaleff, author of The Courageous Follower The authors know what they are talking about and provide an easy-to-remember formula that actually works. Their book will make you smile in recognition and raise your eyebrows in appreciation of some new ideas. Beverly Kaye, founder and Chairwoman of the Board, Career Systems International, and coauthor of Love Em or Lose Em and Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go "