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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\\No one likes meetings.
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\nAt least not the way that they\u2019re usually run now.
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\nPower Point and Keynote have actually detracted as much as they\u2019ve added to presentations. Presenters being more in the service of their slides than the story that they\u2019re trying to tell.
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\nMeetings in person can be rough sledding but conference calls have even more speed bumps.
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\nYou can\u2019t see people\u2019s reactions.
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\nYou\u2019re not even sure if they can hear you.
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\nAnd there\u2019s less pressure for people not to check their phones.
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\nFace it. Face-to-face isn\u2019t easy, but it\u2019s a lot easier than over the phone.
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\nWith many more meetings conducted over the phone than in person, let\u2019s work on making these calls better. A lot better.
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\nWelcome to Episode 47 of Navigating the Fustercluck\u2014a podcast full of snackable insights to help you navigate the everchanging world of creativity & marketing.
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\nMy name is Wegs, like eggs with a W, joining you from Deaf Mule Studios in Dallas, where we hold no meetings without tacos or pizza.
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\nIf you find Navigating the Fustercluck to be helpful, please share it.
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\nNow let\u2019s help make teleconferences better.
\nThe Meeting Before the Meeting
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\nEvery meeting should have a meeting before the meeting. Because most meetings should simply be exclamation points. The icing on the cake. Where everything comes together and you\u2019re consolidating support for your ideas and executions.
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\nOften the key to that is the conversation or conversations that precede the big meeting. The talks between Accounts and sometimes senior creatives with the client. Where things are smoothed out and people get on the same page.
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\nThat\u2019s important in any meeting, phone meetings even more. Develop those allies on the client side that can read the room you\u2019re not in and help make the sell.
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\nThe Ta-Dah Moment
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\nSometimes agency folks prefer to hold back on presenting ideas until the very last moment. They prefer to be like magicians, keeping their work secret until showtime and that big ta-dah! moment.
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\nMaybe they think that they\u2019re protecting the work by hiding the work. Maybe they\u2019re afraid that once the work is exposed that it will suffer a death of a thousand cuts. Yet the AMA claims that the more interactions you have with the client, the better the work. The fact that many agency people don\u2019t believe that points to the lack of trust that hinders truly innovative and breakout work. If that\u2019s the case, then we may have to do a podcast on that. For trust is the cornerstone of every relationship. Personally, and professionally. But that\u2019s for another day.
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\nWho Should be in the Room?
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\nBalance. Agencies are caught between wanting to be efficient with everyone\u2019s time and exposing people to meeting situations so that inexperienced talent learn the game.
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\nTeleconferences are a great opportunity to gain exposure for people. If the client can\u2019t see who you have in the room, they won\u2019t feel that their money will is being wasted. There\u2019s no travel. And there won\u2019t be the distraction of a full room. Just make sure that those extra people know their role and don\u2019t talk, laugh or distract.
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\nRoles
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\nEverybody has got to have a role and know their role.
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\nOne person has to be the quarterback. Be the glue. Everyone else has their particular section to lead. Competing voices will tear the whole effort apart. Know your roles.
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\nIf the meeting takes a detour don\u2019t panic and blurt something out. Huddle with your team. Write notes. Take advantage of not being visible.
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\nThe Pre-ramble
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\nGetting off to a good start is critical to a successful meeting.