UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE - Wind Energy Network

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Action Agenda
The ‘action agenda’ of a meeting is in
three main parts. The agenda items to be
taken are separated into three categories.
The categories are: first – ‘information
items’ followed by ‘decision items’ and
finally we have the ‘discussion items’.
I really like the time continuum aspect of
this sequence. INFORMATION may be
old or new but it is usually information
about the PAST – right up to the recent
or immediate past. On the other hand
DECISIONS often need to be taken by
people now, in the PRESENT. Finally
once we have made our decisions based
on good information then we can take
time to consider what we might do in
the FUTURE. Here are some examples
of each category – taken from typical
workplace meetings:
Information Items - PAST
Information items can include (1)
apologies for absence, (2) minutes
of the last meeting, (3) progress
reports on action points from previous
meetings, (4) important updates, plus (5)
announcements and notices from other
sources. All these are needed so that the
meeting can take all the known facts into
consideration when it makes a decision or
takes action.
Decision Items - PRESENT
When the meeting has all the information
it needs it can make the decisions it has
to make. Decision items can include
(1) accepting the minutes of the last
meeting as accurate, (2) asking for more
information (rather than wasting time with
debate or guesswork), (3) deciding to go
ahead with a suggestion or (4) deciding
against a proposal.
Discussion Items - FUTURE
When the people attending the meeting
have made all the decisions they need
to make (at present) they can turn their
attention to what needs to be done in the
future. Discussion items might include (1)
Suggestions for a Christmas activity, (2)
First thoughts on what the organisation
needs to do to comply with new legislation
coming into force next year, (3) Initial ideas
on changing what we offer to keep pace
with the latest trends, or (4) discussing
how we can take the lead with new
offerings to our customers and other
stakeholders.
Their meetings improve, their
decisions get better
Over many years I have seen ‘action
agendas’ repeatedly transform meetings
and the effectiveness of organisations.
At first people can resist having their
contributions ‘moved’ to later in the
meeting or to the next meeting. However,
they soon learn that with skilful use of
the ‘information/decisions/discussion’
sequence their meetings improve, their
decisions get better and they even
find time to ‘shape the future’ of their
organisation.
So good luck with your ‘action agendas’.
May you be blessed with success in your
workplace meetings.
If you are having problems and frustrations
with meetings at work and you would
like some advice that is specific to your
situation you can get in touch with Frank
directly via the contact tab of his personal
website: www.franknewberry.com.
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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