OFFICE WORK
The Future of Meetings
Some predictions:
Agendas will become redundant.
The purpose of an agenda is to keep the meeting on track (agenda items are often time allotted), to ensure that planned topics are covered and to allow attendees to preview topics.
The structure of future meetings will change. Meetings of the future will either be individual or team-based; or strategic objective-based.
It’s happening now. Most meetings track around teams and seek an update from each.
The more effective meetings track through the Company’s objectives and seek validation that actions are in line with objectives.
2. Minutes will become redundant.
Meetings are recorded now, and soon AI apps will be able to record key points and actions. Otter.ai already provides that service.
3. Ad Hoc meetings will increase.
With team members working from home, remotely or hybridly, there is a greater likelihood that there be ad hoc group conversations (similar to the corridor catch up) where decisions are made and clarification is sought. Online ‘looping in’ of Team Members is easy online and the time saved in covering a topic and seeking a resolution on the fly is a winner.
4. Meetings will not be called ‘Meetings’
They are called ‘scrums’, ‘huddles’, ‘catch-ups’, ‘steercos’, ‘info sessions’, ‘lunch and learn’, ‘workshops’, ‘conferences’, ‘showcases’ – anything but ‘meeting’. It’s happening now.
5. Meeting attendees will increase.
Two reasons:
Firstly, the complexity of businesses now means that more and more functions need to be included in any updates or decision-making. Nearly every part of a business is impacted by any event. It is likely that an implementer of a change is unlikely to know all the impacts of a change, and so to ensure against that, everyone needs to be invited to a meeting to discuss.
Secondly, working remotely means that verbal communication is doubly important (written communication can be clarified in person on-site) and so large forums are created to repeat the message and canvas questions.
6. Meetings will be shorter.
The online nature of most meetings provides more formality and less redundancy (technical issues aside). Side conversations are eliminated, focus is improved, succinctness is rewarded.
CHRISTMAS
My Crazy Creative Curated Christmas Gift Suggestions (for All Ages)
Joseph Heller’s masterpiece of anti-war satire is given a fittingly glorious home in this Folio edition introduced by celebrated writer and critic Malcolm Bradbury.
Hand-bound by the Folio Society
I love date stamps - so handy and so analogue. Turning over to the new date each morning formally starts the day.
All you need to start off with some creative block printing. I always do something completely different and creative each Christmas break and this will be my 2021 project. (Last year it was a BookNook from Etsy).
Using simple shapes, Ed Emberley shows would-be artists how to draw over 400 things, such as an aeroplane, anteater, submarine, train, kangaroo, gondola, and much much more! This classic book is packed with cool things that kids-and not a few adults-really want to draw. Easy and fun, the book provides hours of art-full entertainment. Great for all ages. I can’t draw for nuts, but now I can.
Great book about the craft of reading and writing.
Great for reading non-fiction books as there are a few apps(eg Instapaper) that integrate with a Kindle that allows the user to take notes and consolidate them for later reference.
Frisbee
The common everyday Frisbee has changed its shape since I threw my first, but the same wide-open fun is still there.
Join A Book Club Like Literati
Creative geniuses curate a range of books to share through their dedicated Book Club. Political leaders, comics, artists, sportspeople have all been signed up to create their own list of books to read each month. The selected book is delivered to your doorstep and you share in the learning and understanding of your selected genius.
QUOTE
"Doing boring things without getting bored is a competitive advantage." – Shane Parrish
PSYCHOLOGY
The Ikea Effect
The IKEA effect is defined as the effort people voluntarily undergo to get something that makes them happier than if it came to them easily.
Not only does “assemble yourself” furniture save IKEA money and increase efficiency but greater value is also placed on the Billy Bookcase because it had to be put together.
The IKEA effect is simple: when someone works for something they fall in love with it.
LINKS
Random Stuff
The Literature Clock tells the time with literature excerpts for each minute of the day - mesmerising
The boss gives you a book to read? Well, here’s how to take notes.
Tom Hanks loves his typewriter (typewriters are making a comeback)