Facilitation

Why: Critical meetings often fail to achieve their goals because groups have difficulty communicating well.  Another reason for meeting failure is a lack of expert facilitation that can free up key participants to focus on the substance of the discussion.

What: Facilitation is used any time a group needs to communicate effectively and to work together towards some common goals.  A third party helps create and maintain the space to make this happen.

How:  The facilitator consults on the agenda preparation, confirms the meeting logistics and ensures all participants are aware of and come prepared to the meeting.   At the meeting the facilitator helps ensure full participation, with effective communication and respect shown to all.  The facilitator also helps the meeting successfully problem solve, stay on schedule and agree to next steps.  Finally the facilitator creates and distributes minutes for the meeting that capture all important contributions and action items.