Why Aren't People Paying Attention In That Meeting?

Found myself sitting in a meeting recently and noticed the following going on:

• People were texting
• People were twittering
• People were talking
• People were emailing
• People were doodling
• People were cleaning out their purse
• One person was writing checks
• Another was making a list of some sort
• One was cleaning his finger nails - and then staring at what came out.
• And one guy was observing all of the above (that would be me!)

As a speaker I know one thing, if they're doing any or all of the above, it's my fault (for the most part); I'm not keeping them interested or engaged. But on the other hand some people need a little guidance at a meeting to recognize why they are in attendance. It's one of the reasons I created The Meeting Playce Mat™; to give people a tool to take something away from that meeting experience. It's fun; it's creative; and it gets you thinking.

Keep the people engaged and we won't be doing all of those things listed above. But how do you keep people engaged? Here are three ideas:

1. Include them by asking stimulating questions
2. Offer them opportunity to interact and be a part of the meeting; to put to practice what you are presenting
3. Give them new and fresh content - or at least take a new thinking approach to old stuff. Stop rehashing old ideas.

There are many more. But why not start here. If you're a presenter of any sort; civic meeting; staff meeting; or conference presenter, make a pledge right now to keep those people with you and not looking for opportunity to go to technology land, finger crud world or the ear wax kingdom.

Now this is what you call Customer Service?

Met a colleague for breakfast this morning. We were sitting drinking our coffee and brainstorming. On the table was a little bowl of creamers; enough to bathe in. (As an aside, what is the deal with those things anyway? Why is it that some have to be kept cold while others can sit on the sidewalk on a brutally hot summer day alongside that fried egg?And do restaurants really know which is which and why? And what about the supply we find in hotel rooms? Should I be looking for cobwebs; you never know how long those have been sitting next to that in room coffee maker?)

But anyway, I digress.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the waitress serving the table behind us barreling down the aisle. She whizzes by, puts her hand out, scoops up our little bowl of dairy delites and drops them off at the next table.

Ed and I looked at each other in amazement. Wasn't sure if he was shocked, appalled or confused.

I just laughed. I guess my quota of free refills had been reached.

It's Here..........The MEETING PLAYCE MAT (TM)

Tired of those boring meetings that lead to no results, no innovative ideas and nothing new being said.

Take The Meeting Playce Mat (TM) to your next meeting. It'll make your next meeting a whole lot more productive - or at least a whole lot more fun!

email me your name and (snail) mailing address and I'll send you a sample today!

Find out more about the Meeting Playce Mat (TM) Here!

Are you hanging out with Recessionaries and participating in the Recession? I hope not.

I keep hearing about this Recession, yet I'm still not seeing it???

• I had to wait 30 minutes for a table last night in a restaurant. At 9:00 the place was still packed
• The roads are as congested as ever; if not more congested? Are people getting up in the morning and driving to the companies that laid them off just to say hi?
• The line to check out at one of my favorite stores was ten deep the other day and there seemed to be more than enough help at the register
• The company who normally turns my marketing materials around in two days has not delivered my proof yet - it's been a week? They're swamped with work; so they tell me.
• I booked two engagements this week at my normal fee
• One friend booked a cruise; another a week in the Caribbean; a third to South Africa

So this leads me to a few questions:

1. Am I just hanging out with the right people?
2. Are service organizations staffing down to give the appearance of being busy?
3. Are companies trying to move forward and ignoring the craziness that is Wall Street and Washington?
4. Are the travel deals so good that I better do some surfing as soon as I post this blog entry.

I really am trying not to participate in this Recession. Would you join me?

What is it?

Look long and hard at the picture below and try to guess what it is before reading any further.


So what is it?



Recently I attended a seminar on the importance of play; as it relates to design, innovation and creativity in business and society.

One of the exercises involved being paired up with someone to create a new idea or product. There was one catch. We were not allowed to talk. This had to be a non-verbal exchange of ideas based on drawing or writing. I was paired up with Karen, a professor from Syracuse University.

Karen started our conversation with what looked like an open box.

I put wheels on it.

From there it just got silly.

Karen and I were no longer on the same page; we both had our own idea for a new product. I started going down the path of an oven and she started going down the path of I didn't know what; but I think it was something military; as it appeared to be armed with weapons.

But at the end of the exercise, we had agreed that we had designed the first Attack Skating/Skiing Oven named Herbie.

Play is critical for creativity and innovation to occur. Play can also be constructive and transformational for any organization when used the right way and for the right reasons. Some of the smartest companies use play to create new products and services. And it does wonders for the health and wellness of an organization. Is your organization playing?

June 18th is Recess At Work Day; a day that promotes health and wellness, creativity, team building and so much more. But don't wait until June 18th; visit the Recess At Work Day website today and start playing, innovating, designing, being more creative and getting well!

Shut Up! Or You May Be The Next One Let Go

In my How To Be A Good Employee program, I offer some simple rules to navigate the workplace; have fun, stay motivated and be a good team player.

Rule #5 is SHUT UP!

Now this does not mean you should not speak up for what you believe in or bring attention to matters of importance; it means stay out of the gossip and nonsense that is so pervasive in many organizations. Pretty simple to state; not so easy for some to do.

Yesterday I received a call from two former colleagues. Both still work for the same company. It seems that a staff member was let go and they called to tell me as if I cared.

When I leave an organization I could care less about what is going on - especially the crap. But there are those who seem to think you care; or maybe it is just their way of staying in touch. Who knows. And again, who cares?

But it was interesting how both of these people had very different explanations as to why their co-worker was let go. One painted a picture of it being an unfair decision; the other painted a picture of it's about time.

Who is right? Who knows. And again, who cares.

But this is how organizational gossip and employee turmoil begins or gets fueled. If you're an employee of an organization you know the talks that are going on after someone is let go or receives some corrective discipline. Are you part of theses talks? Are you inciting them?

Let me make life easy for you................Chances are that none of the gossips really know the real reason; nor will they ever. Probably, because chances are it's a little bit of valid information from every piece of gossip out there.

Hence Rule #5?: Shut Up! Stay out of it and do your job.

The World is Crumbling Around Us...................

And this guy is pissed at Burger King . Make sure you click on the police recording link.


And then give this some thought................................

You know that the 911 Operator will remember this day for a long time to come; she can probably write a book of bizarre calls. But enough about her, what are the funny, crazy, silly, outlandish things that have happened at your workplace that still make you laugh? When things get tough at the office, take a moment to reminisce and laugh.