In this episode of Training Unleashed, host Evan Hackel sits down with Nina Sunday, an expert in effective meeting facilitation and the founder of Brainpower Training. The conversation delves deep into the intricacies of conducting successful meetings, offering listeners practical tips and strategies to enhance their meeting productivity and engagement. Nina shares her extensive knowledge and experiences, highlighting common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and providing actionable advice for leaders looking to improve their team dynamics.

Key Discussion Points:

1. Importance of Meeting Preparation:
   • Nina emphasizes the necessity of understanding the participants and their expectations before the meeting.
   • Evan shares a personal story about a difficult CEO and the steps he took to facilitate productive conversations.
2. Techniques for Effective Facilitation:
   • Nina and Evan discuss the importance of anonymous surveys to gather genuine feedback.
   • Strategies for ensuring all voices are heard, such as having the CEO speak last and using voting systems to prioritize ideas.
3. Creating a Collaborative Environment:
   • Nina highlights the benefits of phased attendance and involving key participants at specific times to maximize engagement and efficiency.
   • The value of breakout rooms and polls in virtual meetings to maintain interactivity.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand Participants: Knowing the expectations and personalities of meeting participants is crucial for effective facilitation.
• Anonymous Feedback: Conducting anonymous surveys can help gather honest opinions and encourage open discussion.
• Phased Attendance: Inviting key participants at different times can make meetings more efficient and focused.
• Structured Agendas: Creating agendas with specific columns for topics, decisions, and participants helps in better preparation and participation.

About Our Guest

Nina Sunday is a renowned expert in effective meetings and communication, with a passion for enhancing team collaboration. As a twice-certified virtual presenter, she specializes in facilitating engaging workshops that empower organizations to improve their meeting effectiveness. Nina’s extensive experience spans various industries, and she is dedicated to helping teams achieve greater productivity through innovative meeting strategies. Based in Australia, she offers both virtual and in-person training sessions, tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client. With her insightful methodologies, Nina helps leaders create more meaningful and results-driven meetings.

Nina’s offer:

Listeners can receive a complimentary mini book summarizing key strategies for improving meetings, including tips on enhancing collaboration and shortening discussions. To request the mini book, email Nina at [email protected] or visit her website at brainpowertraining.com.au. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights into making your meetings more effective!

How to Connect with Nina:

• Website: ninasunday.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @nina_sunday