S4E5: Aligning on the Present

A goal is only as good as its results, and the only way to see your progress is to measure. In this episode, we walk through the final phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Performing and Learning. The agenda includes activities for developing measures and metrics to identify progress that are feasible to track and realistic to achieve. Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCESMeasuring Performance Workshop SessionLabMeasuring Performance Template PackageSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

When teams have a clear goal and aligned, actionable steps, it’s easy to make their vision a reality. In this episode, we walk through the fifth phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Mapping, which includes goal-setting and action-planning activities. This agenda takes your team through the process step by step and leaves you with a set of actionable tasks ready to be plugged into your project management system.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCESGoal Setting and Action Planning Workshop SessionLabGoal Setting and Action Planning Template Package🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

A clear mission and time-bound vision enable organizations to work productively and efficiently. This episode breaks down the fourth phase of the MeetingMakers Framework: Visioning, with an agenda for collaboratively crafting clear and motivating mission and vision statements.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCESMission and Vision Workshop SessionLabMission and Vision Workshop Template PackageVisual Explorer deck from the Center for Creative Leadership🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

If your team struggles to see results in new initiatives or strategic plans, it’s time to consider how these fit into the work you do already. In this episode, we walk through the fourth/final part of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on process, and give you a simple process for reflecting on and improving your processes as a team.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:Process Mapping SessionLab AgendaProcess Mapping Template PackageAbout LEGO SERIOUS PLAYFind a LEGO SERIOUS PLAY facilitatorLEGO SERIOUS PLAY Training from SERIOUSWORKBusiness Model Canvas TemplateOsterwalder and Pigneur's Business Model Generation (book)Business Model Canvas TrainingCreate a Customer Journey Map on CanvaTom Wujec’s Draw Toast TED Talk🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

For any team, the customer or user is central to everything you do. Understanding who your team supports at a deep level is critical to ensuring that what your team does achieves real success. In this episode, we walk through part three of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on customers. We discuss the importance of centralizing customers in strategic conversations, delivering value, and meeting their needs. Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:Design Sprint SessionLab AgendaDesign Sprint Template PackageThe LUMA SystemIDEO ThinkingStanford d.school ToolsEric Ries’ The Lean Startup (book)🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Jumping into goal-setting without a clear understanding of the present sets the stage for misalignment and missed opportunities. In this episode, we’ll walk you through part two of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on the present. We discuss the importance of aligning on internal and external realities to set a foundation for effective strategic planning and achieving your goals.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:SLOR Analysis SessionLab AgendaSLOR Analysis Template PackageContext Map Template from The GrovePre-meeting Survey Template🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

When teams design a path forward, reflection on the past is a critical step that is often missed. In this episode of This Meeting Sucks, we’re going to walk you through part one of the third phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Aligning, focused on the past. We’ll discuss the importance of looking back before moving forward and take you through our History Map agenda template. Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:History Map SessionLab AgendaHistory Map Template PackageTMS S2E10: Debrief Meetings (podcast episode)Rick Maurer's Beyond the Wall of Resistance (book)CFO Bookshelf: Beyond the Wall of Resistance with Rick Maurer (podcast episode)Graphic History Template from The Grove 🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Trust is the foundation of a healthy team, and without it, teams lack the tools for constructive conflict, commitment to goals, mutual accountability, and major results. In this episode of This Meeting Sucks, we’re going to walk you through the second phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Building Trust. Trust doesn’t just happen. Like any relationship, you have to cultivate trust—a trusting team is one that thrives in the face of an obstacle.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:Work Styles and Team Profile SessionLab AgendaWork Styles and Team Profile Template PackageJan Keck’s Icemelters (book)  Help Your Meetings Work I—Verbal Tools (S3E4) Our blogs on energizers🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Whether you're a new team working together, an existing team looking for a reset or just unsure about where a project is headed, it's important to get everyone on the same page. In this episode, we’re going to walk you through the first phase in our MeetingMakers Framework: Initiating, which includes Project Kick-Offs and Team Charters. With these meetings, you can lay the groundwork for success, ensuring everyone is on the same page and ready to tackle whatever comes their way.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:Project Kick-off and Team Charter SessionLab AgendaProject Kick-off and Team Charter Template PackageMeeting Cadance Quiz🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray

Welcome to Season 4, MeetingMakers! This season is all about high-performing teams and how you can build your way to high performance through meetings. We’ve codified a suite of agendas and companion templates you can modify and use with your team. This episode introduces you to the MeetingMakers Framework and walks you through the coming season.Read along with the episode on YouTube.EPISODE RESOURCES:TMS Season 1: Just-in-Time Meeting SkillsQUIZ: Where is my team? Katzenbach and Smith's The Wisdom of Teams (book)Chris McGoff's The Primes (book)🔎 Explore the MeetingMakers FrameworkSupport the show📬 Get our updates https://makemeetings.work/podcast/#updates 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn https://linkedin.com/company/meetingmakers 👥 Join the MeetingMakers Circle Community https://meetingmakers.circle.soWritten and hosted by Lauren GreenEdited and produced by Caitlin Murray