• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Research
    • Markets & Technologies
    • Raw Materials
    • Top Companies
    • Directories
    • Jobs
    • Events
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Research
  • Markets & Technologies
  • Raw Materials
  • Top Companies
  • Directories
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Business Corner
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    World Reports
    eBook
    Top Features
    Exterior Architectural Coatings Market

    CHINACOAT 2019 Reaches New Heights

    Automotive Refinish Market

    Asia Pacific Coatings Market

    The Marine Coatings Market
    Breaking News
    Online Exclusives
    Distributor News
    Financial News
    Paint & Coatings Manufacturer News
    People In the News
    Price Increases
    Product News
    Raw Materials & Equipment
    Suppliers News
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    PPG Appoints Robert King as VP, Global Operations, Industrial Segment

    Greenkote PLC Reports Upsurge in Powder Coatings Applications on Brake Calipers

    Addipel Moves to New HQ, Expands Production Facility

    HMG Paints Wins BCF's Corporate Social Responsibility Award

    MFG Chemical Upgrades Dalton, GA Pilot Plant
    Top Companies report
    Market Research
    White Papers / Tech Papers
    Technical Papers
    Product Spec Sheets
    World Reports
    Adhesives and Sealants
    Aerospace Coatings
    Architectural Coatings
    Automotive Coatings
    Automotive Refinish
    Business Operation
    Color Trends & Forecast
    Construction Chemicals
    Corrosion Control
    Industrial Coatings
    Laboratory Equipment
    Marine Coatings
    Market Trends & Forecast
    Powder Coatings
    Production Equipment
    Radcure Coatings
    Special Purpose Coatings
    Wood Coatings
    "Green" Coatings

    Greenkote PLC Reports Upsurge in Powder Coatings Applications on Brake Calipers

    BASF Doubling Automotive Refinish Coatings Production Capacity at Jiangmen, China Site

    AkzoNobel’s Wanda Vehicle Refinishes Brand Celebrates 85th Anniversary

    Pursuit of Balance Inspires Pratt & Lambert’s 2020 Color of the Year

    PPG Announces Industrial Coatings Products Global Price Increase
    Additives
    Binders
    Pigments
    Solvents

    Pilot Chemical Corp. Acquires Órgano Síntesis

    Sun Chemical Releases 2018 Sustainability Report

    Brenntag Distributes Grupa Azoty ZAK S.A. Plasticizer Portfolio in DACH Region

    PPG Using TiO2 Pigment from Lomon Billions’ New Chloride Production Line

    CHT Group Acquires keimadditec surface
    Buyers Guide
    Company Capabilities
    Distributor Guide
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Keim Additec Surface USA LLC

    ROSS Mixers

    EPS

    Siltech Corporation

    Pilot Chemical Company
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Top Events
    Polymers & Coatings Winter 2020 Short Course

    2020 Greenbuild India Conference

    The Waterborne Symposium

    Spray Finishing Training 2020

    Middle East Coatings Show 2020
    Companies
    White Papers/Tech Papers
    Product Spec Sheets
    Equipment
    Literature/Brochures
    Videos
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    EPS

    Siltech Corporation

    Keim Additec Surface USA LLC

    ROSS Mixers

    Pilot Chemical Company
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Business Corner
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Directories
      • Buyers Guide
      • Distributor Guide
      • Corporate Capabilities
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Markets & Technologies
      • Adhesives and Sealants
      • Aerospace Coatings
      • Architectural Coatings
      • Automotive Coatings
      • Automotive Refinish
      • Business Operation
      • Color Trends & Forecast
      • Construction Chemicals
      • Corrosion Control
      • Industrial Coatings
      • Laboratory Equipment
      • Marine Coatings
      • Market Trends & Forecast
      • Powder Coatings
      • Production Equipment
      • Radcure Coatings
      • Special Purpose Coatings
      • Wood Coatings
      • "Green" Coatings
    • Raw Materials
      • Additives
      • Binders
      • Pigments
      • Solvents
    • World Reports
      • Africa Report
      • China Report
      • India/Asia Pacific Report
      • Europe Report
      • Latin America Report
      • Market Research
      • Russian Report
    • Top Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Blog
    • eBook
    • Infographics
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Microsites
      • Companies
      • White Papers/Tech Papers
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Equipment
      • Literature/Brochures
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Event
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Business Corner

    Want a Better Decision? Plan a Better Meeting.

    Related CONTENT
    • Vencorex Tolonate Meets Good Manufacturing Practice Requirements
    • Sartomer’s Jeffrey Klang Elected to RadTech Board of Directors
    • Hempel Launches New Antifouling Solution
    • Sartomer Invests in In-house EB Labs for Developing Advanced Electron Beam Curing Solutions
    • Sartomer Presents New Developments to Advance UV/EB Curing Technology at Big Ideas 2019
    Phil Phillips, Contributing Editor05.31.19
    MEETINGS EQUAL DECISIONS...GOOD ONES...POOR ONES!

    Effective meetings result in solid business decisions. However, far too many decision meetings are doomed from the outset. 

    Decisions flow through organizations at every level constantly, and meetings are where important business decisions regularly happen. Yet many executives are stumped when describing their own experience of meetings. Some business leaders we know wonder openly how they can dedicate so much time (commonly six to seven hours a day and often more) to an activity that feels so unproductive. 

    In a recent McKinsey survey, “61 percent of executives said that at least half the time they spent making decisions, much of it surely spent in meetings, was ineffective. And just 37 percent of respondents said their organizations’ decisions were both high-quality and timely.”

    How can we get better, faster business decisions from the meetings they attend or lead? Certainly, getting steeped in best practices is wise, as there is a wealth of good thinking available on the topic of decision making? That is... looking closer to basics, specifically at the preparation that should happen (but perhaps doesn’t) before your own meetings.

    When it comes to decision making in meetings, seek a practical grounding in areas such as spurring productive debate in meetings, slaying cognitive biases in them, and designing meetings for routinely overlooked groups.

    Finally, develop your own list and share it with your team. The state of management thinking on this topic will continue to evolve –and you’ll want to evolve with it. Three questions...

    Question 1
    Should we even be meeting at all?


    Removing unessential meetings is perhaps the single biggest gift to an executive’s productivity. Begin by examining your repetitive meetings, as these are a fertile place for otherwise useful and timely decision topics to change in unproductive ways.

    Poor clarity around decision rights invigorated wide-ranging discussions but not decisions, and over time this behavior becomes a habit in meetings – a habit that worsened a general lack of responsibility among some executives.

    This is not to say that time management isn’t part of the solution. It is, and if ingrained habits or cultural expectations encourage meetings as your company’s default mode, then soul searching is in order. If you are one of those leaders who reflexively accepts meeting invitations as they appear in your calendar, then you should hit pause. Your goal should be to treat your leadership capacity – a finite resource – as seriously as your company treats financial capital (an equally finite one).

    Would you like to learn more about our Organization Practice?

    When recurring meetings are needed, check with the other decision makers to ensure the frequency is right –  can weekly become monthly? Look also to see if the decision might be best made by an individual.

    Remember: Delegating a decision to someone doesn’t mean that the person can’t still consult others for guidance. It just probably doesn’t require an entire committee to do so.

    Finally, it’s tough to spot problems when no one is looking. At the healthcare company, like at many organizations, it wasn’t anyone’s responsibility to ensure that senior-management meetings had clear, non-overlapping purposes. A chief of staff can be invaluable here, as we will.

    Question 2
    What is the purpose of the meeting for anyway?


    It may seem elementary, but you can recall meetings (and large-group meetings in particular) where the lines between sharing, discussing, and deciding were blurred or absent—or where the very purpose of the meeting is unclear, In such situations, meetings may begin to seem frustrating and even futile.

    Your goal: Treat your leadership aptitude as seriously as your company treats financial capital.

    One popular challenge is when each product had a group of backers at the meeting who didn’t want to see their work torpedoed. The mix of interests and motivations in the room, combined with the lack of organization and role clarity (a factor we will explore next) spelled trouble. The result was a freewheeling mix of provocative, meandering, inconclusive discussions. At times, important questions would get raised that couldn’t be answered, in part because participants didn’t have the information they needed beforehand. In one meeting, for example, the team didn’t know the status of a major customer’s own product-development efforts. This was vital because the customer’s products would rely on the ones being developed by the industrial company. In other cases, meeting attendees were expected to review the relevant material as the meeting took place around them.

    To tackle the problems, the company tapped a leader to serve in a chief-of-staff capacity for the effort. This colleague coordinated the materials before the meeting, ensured that they were distributed in advance, and along the way verified that the proper staff work had been done in the first place. This minimized the “informational” aspects of the meetings themselves, saving time while in fact better preparing the participants with the information they needed.

    This colleague also helped run the meetings differently – for instance, by keeping the lines clear between discussion and debate sessions, and the actual decision making itself (following the principles outlined in the exhibit). This allowed for richer, more thorough conversations about the products and debates around the trade-offs involved, and ultimately led to better decisions. Indeed, for infrequent, high-stakes decisions, the quality of debate among the top team is the most important success factor. Finally, the company trained additional executives in these skills so that the role could be reproduced and the benefits scaled.

    A final note. Just because a decision is made doesn’t mean people are committed to it. As the industrial company’s example suggests, people bring their own motivations to meetings, and there are plenty of cases where a “yes” in the meeting turns into a “maybe” in the following days and weeks. Part of the solution for this is to make sure the next steps are clear, including the nitty-gritty details of execution. After all, a decision only matters if it can be implemented. The broader challenge, of course, is making sure that all must feel they have a stake in the outcome.

    Question 3
    What is everyone’s role?


    Just as it’s crucial for meetings to have a clear purpose and for attendees to know whether they’re meant to be debating or deciding, it is equally important to know who makes the call. Indeed, even if it’s clear who the decider is – and even if it’s you – it’s a mistake to meet without fully considering the roles of the other participants and how they are meant to influence the outcome. This was part of the challenge faced by the industrial company’s product-development team: where the backers of a given product sought to informally veto any moves that would kill or delay it, even though they had no explicit authority to do so.

    Poor role clarity can kill productivity and cause frustration when decisions involve complicated business activities that cut across organizational boundaries. 
    Related Searches
    • led
    • industrial
    Suggested For You
    PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at Community Centre Trust PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at Community Centre Trust
    Orion Announces Executive Management Team Changes Orion Announces Executive Management Team Changes
    PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at Primary School in Baluganj Agra, India PPG Completes COLORFUL COMMUNITIES Project at Primary School in Baluganj Agra, India
    Nouryon Announces 2019 Imagine Chemistry Finalists Nouryon Announces 2019 Imagine Chemistry Finalists
    Pilot Chemical Company Names Richard Rehg VP of Commercial Pilot Chemical Company Names Richard Rehg VP of Commercial
    CPCA 106th Annual Conference & AGM in Vancouver CPCA 106th Annual Conference & AGM in Vancouver
    Nouryon’s 2019 Imagine Chemistry Challenge Generates Ideas from 30 Countries Nouryon’s 2019 Imagine Chemistry Challenge Generates Ideas from 30 Countries
    Coatex Team Shares its Latest Rheological Solutions at ECS Coatex Team Shares its Latest Rheological Solutions at ECS
    Pilot Chemical Corp. Makes Organizational Changes Pilot Chemical Corp. Makes Organizational Changes
    Sartomer Presents New Developments to Advance UV/EB Curing Technology at Big Ideas 2019 Sartomer Presents New Developments to Advance UV/EB Curing Technology at Big Ideas 2019
    Sartomer Invests in In-house EB Labs for Developing Advanced Electron Beam Curing Solutions Sartomer Invests in In-house EB Labs for Developing Advanced Electron Beam Curing Solutions
    Hempel Launches New Antifouling Solution Hempel Launches New Antifouling Solution
    Sartomer’s Jeffrey Klang Elected to RadTech Board of Directors Sartomer’s Jeffrey Klang Elected to RadTech Board of Directors
    Vencorex Tolonate Meets Good Manufacturing Practice Requirements Vencorex Tolonate Meets Good Manufacturing Practice Requirements

    Related Business Corner

    • Is The China-U.S. Trade War Over or Just Beginning?

      Is The China-U.S. Trade War Over or Just Beginning?

      The world watched with great wonder at the phenomenal growth exercised over the past few decades by China. China’s $25.3 trillion economy in 2018 made it the world’s largest. The EU came in as second, at $22 trillion. The U.S. ended up…
      Dan Watson , Contributing Editor 11.11.19

    • Vitracoat- an Interview with Steve Houston

      Vitracoat- an Interview with Steve Houston

      Vitracoat has expanded operations across multiple continents and is ranked amongst the top powder coating manufacturers in the world.
      Gary Shawhan, Contributing Editor 09.30.19

    • M&A – Understanding the Dynamics for Buyers and Sellers (Part 1 of 2)

      M&A – Understanding the Dynamics for Buyers and Sellers (Part 1 of 2)

      M&A activity, within the CASE/ specialty chemicals markets, continues at a very high level. Today, this is especially true in North America. In a large part this activity level  is driven by the strength of the U.S. economy over the last few…
      Gary Shawhan and Phil Phillips, The CHEMARK Consulting Group Contributing Editors 08.09.19


    • The Economics of Carbon Capture Coatings

      The Economics of Carbon Capture Coatings

      I have been writing this column for 14 years. A guiding principle to which I have always attempted to apply to is giving the best business advice I could, based upon 40 years in the coatings, paints, adhesives and sealants industry. That advice from…
      Phil Phillips, Contributing Editor 07.03.19

    • The Supply Chain – Your Brexit North Star

      The Supply Chain – Your Brexit North Star

      Brexit is coming! While the timing for its implementation is still uncertain, Brexit will impact many coating manufacturers importing product into both the EU and the UK. Recently, the EU granted a “flexible” Brexit extension until Octobe…
      Ray Rex, Contributing Editor 05.10.19

    • The Role of Differentiation in Strategic  Planning and Value Creation

      The Role of Differentiation in Strategic Planning and Value Creation

      Differentiation is an important attribute in strategy development and value creation. While this term is most often used in the context of a unique coating product or an additive technology, it also has much broader strategic implications. “…
      Gary Shawhan and Phil Phillips, Contributing Editors 04.12.19


    • Brand Value- Considerations for Coating  Formulators and Additive Supplies

      Brand Value- Considerations for Coating Formulators and Additive Supplies

      Brand identity and brand strength are important components in establishing and sustaining the value of a company’s products or services. This applies to companies that participate at all levels of the supply chain including raw material manufac…
      Gary Shawhan and Phil Phillips, Contributing Editors 02.11.19

    • Strategies for Growth: Considering the Options

      Strategies for Growth: Considering the Options

      Charting a successful growth path for your business begins with identifying and understanding the company’s core competencies and overall strengths. Sorting through and prioritizing the best paths forward requires management to first establish…
      Phil Phillips and Gary Shawhan, Contributing Editors 01.07.19

    • Analytics: The Opportunity for Using “Big Data” in Strategy Development - Part 2

      Analytics: The Opportunity for Using “Big Data” in Strategy Development - Part 2

      Awareness of the increased use of analytics as a business tool continues to grow. Its extensive use in retail markets to track and analyze consumer buying habits and preferences is something that touches almost all of us on a daily basis even if we d…
      Gary Shawhan and Shiva Rapolu, President and Director of Analytics The CHEMARK Consulting Group 12.03.18


    • Analysis of China/U.S. Trade Relations

      Analysis of China/U.S. Trade Relations

      As the approaching trade war escalates between the U.S. and China, who is likely to win?
      11.05.18

    • Analytics: The Opportunity for Using  “Big Data” in Strategy Development - Part 1

      Analytics: The Opportunity for Using “Big Data” in Strategy Development - Part 1

      Charting strategic direction for any coatings business is a necessary component of a successful revenue growth plan. The complexity of this challenge, for any specialty chemical (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) company large or small, cont…
      Gary Shawhan, VP of Marketing CHEMARK Consulting Group 10.03.18

    • Prospects . . . .  Talk, Listen, Measure & Act

      Prospects . . . . Talk, Listen, Measure & Act

      I’ve always been a fan of Harry Beckwith, author of the bestselling books “Selling the Invisible” and “The Invisible Touch.” Many of Mr. Beckwith’s sage advice based on astute observations have been adopted by succ…
      07.03.18

    • Raw Material Cost Increases Vs. Alternatives

      Raw Material Cost Increases Vs. Alternatives

      Researching our industry dynamics over the past several months, we have learned that although the growth in sales & demand is at an all time high for paint, coatings, adhesives, sealants & the overall specialty chemical industry, there contin…
      Phil Phillips, Contributing Editor 06.04.18

    • Becoming More Strategic – Three Directives for Executives

      Becoming More Strategic – Three Directives for Executives

      You don’t need a formal strategy role to help shape your organization’s strategic direction. Start by moving beyond frameworks and communicating in a more engaging way. Are we entering the age of the STRATEGIST?  We are observing…
      Phil Phillips, Contributing Editor 05.04.18

    • What Does the General Finishes Global Market Look Like?

      What Does the General Finishes Global Market Look Like?

      The Global Coatings & Paints Segmentation has three Strategic Groupings . . . . Product OEM, Special Purpose and Architectural. Within the Product OEM Strategic Group, there are eight Industrial Coating Segments with 86 Sub-Segments.  Of the…
      Phil Phillips, Contributing Editor 04.09.18

    Breaking News
    • PPG Appoints Robert King as VP, Global Operations, Industrial Segment
    • Greenkote PLC Reports Upsurge in Powder Coatings Applications on Brake Calipers
    • Addipel Moves to New HQ, Expands Production Facility
    • HMG Paints Wins BCF's Corporate Social Responsibility Award
    • MFG Chemical Upgrades Dalton, GA Pilot Plant
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    December 2019

      View More >
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    International Scientific Society Calls for Omega-3 Blood Testing in Future Research
    Pharmactive Affron Saffron May Help Relieve Depression Symptoms
    Warmer Temperatures Could Lead to Concerning Levels of Arsenic in Rice
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    PPG Appoints Robert King as VP, Global Operations, Industrial Segment
    Greenkote PLC Reports Upsurge in Powder Coatings Applications on Brake Calipers
    Addipel Moves to New HQ, Expands Production Facility
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    CMR Surgical Taps New CEO
    Companies Partner to Develop Instrument-Free Molecular Diagnostic Tests
    BWXT to Produce Medical Radioisotope Germanium-68 to Meet Rise in Demand
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Antares Vision Introduces Raised Stopper Machine
    AbbVie, Scripps Collaborate on New Therapeutics
    Sanofi Pasteur Awarded HHS Pandemic Flu Vax Contract
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Firmenich Wants You To Smell & Taste the Pantone Color of the Year
    L'Oréal Paris - And Celebs - Celebrate 14th Annual Women of Worth
    Henkel's göt2b Partners with DJ Pauly D
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Caribbean Natural Taps New Sales Rep.
    HCPA Responds to 1,4-Dioxane Bill
    MAC Introduces Lip Lacquer
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    ePac Flexible Packaging Expands into Asia Pacific Market
    Smurfit Kappa Announces Board Changes
    Haney, HP Developing Sustainable Fashion Packaging for Heron Preston
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Interket UK purchases third MPS flexo press
    Michael Ring named EVP of W+D North America
    Polykote announces new UV inkjet labelstock
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Fitesa Buys Freudenberg's South American Hygiene Business
    Fameccanica Partners with Aeroflex
    Nice-Pak to Offer Sustainable Solutions to Every Customer
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    InVivo Therapeutics Attains 25 Percent Enrollment in Spinal Cord Injury Study
    BioPrax Biofilm Disruption Device Granted FDA Breakthrough Device Designation
    Orthofix Appoints New Spine Business Leader
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Osram’s Managing Board Invites ams to Talks About Future
    Yole: Emerging Printing Fills Gap for Rising Electronics Applications
    European Industries Lead New Graphene Flagship Projects to Shape EU’s Environmental Future

    Copyright © 2019 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.