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Not another bloody meeting! February 24, 2011

Posted by k3nd in Disturbance, Meetings, Staff.
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We have all been to those meetings where we have physically been there, but mentally elsewhere. Here are ten steps towards  successful meetings.

  • Have an agenda. People can prepare in advance.
  • To the point. No inane waffling. Limit of twenty minutes. Try a stand up meeting.
  • Not setup like a kindergarten.
  • Relaxed atmosphere. Make it fun. People should want to go.
  • No one person dominating. If you want to deliver a speech from the pulpit, tack in onto the minutes
  • Remain positive.
  • Never immediately shoot down ideas when raised. That person will not be bothered to raise new ideas ever again, if humiliated in front of the group.
  • Include some multimedia, role playing, somebody from outside the organisation, etc. Anything to get messages across.
  • Encourage everyone to participate.
  • Have meetings when needed. Date does not have to be set in stone.

ALIA (Australian Librarians In Action) Conference February 15, 2011

Posted by k3nd in ALIA, Knowledge, Technology, trends.
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I recently attended the ALIA Conference in Sydney. Here are some of my observations.

There is an throbbing underbelly that realizes there are new ways to do old tasks.

Some people take tweeting too seriously.

It is ultimately up to each individual library to grasp these new ideas and implement them.

Some people take themselves too seriously.

There are a few cutting edge people out there, whose enthusiasm and knowledge need to flow through the veins of all.

Talks about methodology are for the birds.

Chris Winter from the ABC is a well organised and highly interesting speaker.

Papers from conference need to be available ASAP. If not, interest will be lost.

Better organisation of vendors. Rather than standing there, have a demonstration in progress. A video of what your product is about. Standing there like a shag on a rock will get you nowhere.

Video all talks for free, and stick them on YouTube. What’s the point of all that great information being bottled up in a lecture theater, or in the minds of those lucky enough to be asked to attend. Get those who are never asked to go to conferences or training in the loop.