A Good Meeting - Three elements

A good meeting is very simple. A good meeting consists of three key elements, rapid information sharing, decision making and planning for decision implementation. The best meeting consists of all three. The last component of a good meeting does not happen in the meeting, and that is implementation and enforcement of the decisions and action plans that result from the meeting.

A good meeting can consist of the subset of elements. An information only meeting can be viewed as either education or opinion-shaping for decision makers.

A decision making meeting, I believe, always has some level of information sharing, if only in review of the current status or knowledge. If decision implementation planning is not accomplished in the meeting, though, clear timeframes for the completion of this critical action is paramount.

A decision implementation meeting can occur, but must be proceeded by the decision making.

We can have further discussion of meeting pace and tempo another time, but the three elements above are crucial to the best of meetings.

Interesting to see that concentration solar is getting more movement. CNET Article on Cyrium Technologies. My previous post on Sungri.

Frameworking - Quick Solutions

This is a concept which I apply on a regular basis. Frameworking is an application of the scientific method of hypothesis to business problems. The basic concept is to form a framework solution on a particular problem rapidly, then test the solution against the facts and the situation which exists. As objections or issues are raised against the solution, either the objection is debated and solved or the solution discarded. This needs to be a fairly rapid process, though, so that people use the hypothesis, discussion, discard, new hypothesis as a form of structured brainstorming.

Rapid solutions are the most immediate benefit to this process method. Instead of having an open-ended brainstorming session, then distilling the results, then finding a solution, this technique forces rapid consideration and solution discussion. It is the human equivalent of multi-variate minimization search techniques. Note that this technique is best applied by a team which is well versed in the problem and solution areas being discussed. Normal brainstorming should be used when the space is too large for frameworking or when different solution sets need to be derived.

Two problems exist which must be watched for. A team needs to understand clearly that this method is being used. Frameworking can often look like jumping to conclusions without data, as a person or team rapidly sorts through potential solutions. In addition, the rapid jumping and quick (seemingly harsh) discussion can cause team members pain if they do not understand the process.

The second problem relates to the solutions from frameworking. After a potential solution is reached, the person or team must consider it carefully in view of the situation. Frameworking can allow a team to reside in a suboptimal solution, by removing consideration of crucial factors. When a solution is reached, the team should sit back and consider carefully the solution and the effects is will achieve, to minimize this effect.

Chattanooga Internet Efforts

An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today, highlighting, in part, Chattanooga's efforts to improve internet download and upload speed to it's citizens. Cable providers, of course, resist the effort. KNS had that part of the story a month or so ago.

I always find it interesting that companies who, for decades, have reaped profits from local or regional monopolies, then resist when the local government starts to generate efforts at improved services.

Rant aside, I always find this area of commerce, law, monopoly, government, utilities crossover to be fascinating. Add to this the population demographics (highlighted in the WSJ article) of various countries and it makes for very interesting reading (for a data wonk).

The additional focus area of small- to mid-sized cities falling behind and we all need to see internet speeds improved! Unknown applications abound with improved internet speed.