Posttest

What Do You Know About Productive Meetings?

Review each statement about meetings, and mark whether you agree or disagree.

Agree	Disagree
		1. A meeting is the best way to communicate information to a group of people.
		2. A meeting is the best way to get information from several people.
		3. A meeting is necessary when there is a problem to solve.
		4. A meeting is the best way to train and develop people.
		5. A meeting is productive if the leader's objectives are accomplished.
		6. A meeting is productive if the leader's objectives are accomplished in a minimum amount of time.
		7. A meeting is productive if the leader's objectives are accomplished in a minimum amount of time with satisfied participants.
		8. The cost of a meeting can usually be accurately determined.
		9. The benefits of a meeting can usually be accurately determined.
		10. One of the most costly aspects of nonproductive meetings can be the negative attitudes on the part of those attending.
		11. Most of the causes of nonproductive meetings are under the control of the leader.
		12. Bad scheduling can result in nonproductive meetings.
		13. Poor facilities can contribute to nonproductive meetings.
		14. A meeting leader is more effective as a catalyst than a strong leader.
		15. To have a productive meeting, all or nearly all of the participants must take an active part.
		16. Time scheduling is important to a meeting's success.
		17. Physical facilities are important to the success of the meeting.
		18. An important part of preparation is to be sure that the right people are attending.
		19. A flipchart, overhead projector, Microsoft PowerPoint, or other audiovisual aid should be standard equipment for every meeting.
		20. If the leader has properly planned for physical facilities and audiovisual aids, there is no reason to check on them prior to the meeting.
		21. Proper advance notice to participants is important for productive meetings.
		22. Microsoft PowerPoint is more effective than using aids such as the flipchart and overhead projector.
		23. The shorter a presentation, the more effective it is.
		24. Humor always improves the effectiveness of a presentation.
		25. The Kirkpatrick PIE (practical, interactive, and enjoyable) approach should be used by all meeting leaders.
		26. If a participant asks a question, it should be answered in the meeting.
		27. Overhead questions should be used more frequently than direct questions.
		28. A question-and-answer period is a good way to end a meeting.
		29. The amount of enthusiasm by participants is directly related to their participation.
		30. Fear of being embarrassed or ridiculed by the leader is a frequent cause of nonparticipation and lack of enthusiasm.
		31. Enthusiasm on the part of the leader begets enthusiasm.
		32. Participants should leave the meeting thinking, “I'm glad I came!”
		33. A leader should start the meeting on time even if some of the participants aren't there.
		34. The introductory part of a meeting should get the attention of the participants and clarify meeting objectives.
		35. It is easier to get participation than to control a meeting.
		36. The best way to control a meeting is to prevent it from getting out of control.
		37. If a participant is causing problems, the leader should handle the situation without embarrassing or ridiculing the participant.
		38. A leader should always maintain self-control in a meeting.
		39. When introducing a speaker, the chairperson should remember that the shorter the introduction the better.
		40. When making a presentation, the presenter is more effective when using Microsoft PowerPoint than overhead transparencies.
		41. It's the responsibility of the chairperson, not the speaker, to be sure the meeting runs on schedule.
		42. A leader can always tell whether the meeting has been productive.
		43. Participants can always tell whether the meeting has been productive.
		44. A trained observer can always tell whether the meeting has been productive.
		45. An instructor should use the leader, participants, and trained observer to determine whether the meeting has been productive.
		46. The objective of instructor-led meetings is to increase knowledge, increase skills, or change attitudes.
		47. The most important factor in instructor-led meetings is the effectiveness of the leader.
		48. Trainers from within the organization are more effective than outside consultants.
		49. In instructor-led meetings, the more participation the better.
		50. The words trainer and facilitator have the same meaning.
		51. In-house training programs are more effective than e-learning training programs.
		52. Instructor-led programs are more effective than e-learning training programs.
		53. The best approach to training participants is blended learning, which combines e-learning with instructor-led programs.
		54. Trainers should conduct a workshop for managers on how to conduct productive meetings.
		55. If trainers don't initiate it, managers should ask trainers to conduct a workshop on how to conduct productive meetings.