Working effectively with others is an important part of organisational life. Awaydays and events offer the opportunity to harness the combined knowledge of the organisation to make sound decisions aimed at a common goal. They can also help build intra-organisational understanding and improve rapport which in turn can lead to lasting improvements in how well people work together after the event is over.
We are all familiar with the characteristics of effective meetings and get-togethers. They are productive and achieve the required task, inclusive and open, drawing on the thinking and views of everyone in the room and allow open debate so as to arrive at a sound decision. They also stimulate thinking through the dissemination of new thinking and knowledge and challenging existing assumptions in a constructive way. Effective meetings leave you feeling energised and enthused rather than downcast and drained.
Running events that successfully set the right tone and mood for an organisation is tricky and because of the importance of getting this right many senior managers seek expert help. An experienced facilitator will help clarify what you want to achieve, be able to provide expert advice on how best to design the event and will be familiar with a wide range of useful tools and techniques. External help to facilitate or manage events is also useful for participants as it allows them to focus on the issues under discussion and releases them from the pressure of managing the process. The use of a facilitator can also reduce the sense of hierarchy and encourage greater participation and more open contributions.
We have run a large number of events ranging from awaydays for management teams and Boards to large-scale events over several days for whole Directorates. We are also experienced in running workshops and consultation events with stakeholders, service users and members of the public to gather views and feedback for our client.