Don't Lose Control

Want to learn how to have an interactive discussion at your next meeting without loosing control?

This helpful Q&A addresses ways to keep things on track.

Question:

How do I have an interactive discussion using my audience response system at my session without loosing control? I have an agenda and only a limited time.

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Answer:

Impromptu Questions

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Normally, a mix of prepared questions is peppered with impromptu (on-the-fly) questions and cross-tabulations that present themselves during the course of the session. They bubble up to the surface and are grasped and presented as they appear, or may be dealt with at a block of time at the end of the session. That is a decision that needs to be made in advance and relates directly to your culture and willingness to be interactive.

Questions from the floor are handled by the speaker and may or may not, become a part of the session at the speaker's discretion. Control always remains with the speaker/moderator. You decide which questions pertain to the work at hand, and you may tactfully delay other queries to be dealt with after the session.

The presenter’s choices are that impromptu questions may be presented verbally and freely from the floor, or presented on index cards, or both.

Quick Tips:

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1. Open the session by beginning with a “laundry list” of the topics you will be discussing. Ask the audience to express their interest (by choosing just one, or prioritizing them in order: 1-2-3). This will create a ranking of the audience's LEVEL OF INTEREST. It eliminates guessing about what is important to the attendees. It’s a great time saver and aid to both the presenter and the audience. Go back to this list when a new off center topic is proposed and comment that you will be discussing items of most interest. If need be, show the laundry list again. Perhaps offer to respond to the new topic after the session.


2. To be slightly less interactive than having an “open mike” Q&A session from the floor, hand out 5”x7” index cards. Assign people to collect them. A great collection technique is to have a few people roam the floor with question marks (?) on tennis paddles. Have someone organize, select and from a second podium read the Qs to the group.

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With over twenty years of experience in helping clients achieve their business goals, I am passionate about the power of insight. If I can help your firm discover this power, please contact me.

Alan Warshaw
President
Quick Tally® Interactive Systems, Inc.
Direct Dial: 310.306.4930
alanw@quicktally.com