If you’re planning an international meeting, you can use the experience of locals to navigate cultural differences and non-verbal cues. Working with locals can be beneficial in many ways, from negotiating better rates to navigating different customs. In addition, a local’s knowledge can help you avoid common pitfalls. Here are some tips for planning a successful meeting abroad. Read on for more ideas. In this article, we’ll discuss a few of these tips:
Focus groups
Focus groups at international meetings are becoming increasingly popular as a means of gaining input from diverse populations. These focus groups can be inexpensive to run, and are particularly effective for researching high mobility populations. The focus of these groups, largely non-sedentary households, are often difficult to sample and organise in a single location. Organizing meetings in high mobility areas can be difficult, as the pattern of movement is unpredictable. Students using focus groups should consider their subject before adopting this method of research.
The Morgan focus group format involves two groups, one discussing the topic and the second group observing the discussion. The second group acts as an observer, taking notes on the discussion and interactions in the first group. They should both agree on the input, but one should facilitate the discussion while the other will observe and check recording equipment. The role-divided approach makes for a smooth session. However, it is important to note that the law of diminishing returns is real.
Small group meetings
If you’re a member of an international meeting planning committee, you probably know how important small group meetings are to the overall process. In these meetings, members form groups for a specific task, such as solving a problem or promoting a cause. The end result is evaluated on the quality of the project. There are three major types of small group tasks: production, networking, and generating ideas. Each of these tasks requires members to bring their best foot forward and share ideas and information.
Large groups, on the other hand, can create a lack of engagement and creativity. While large groups can be necessary, they don’t encourage effective ideation, collaboration, or problem solving. Small groups create a space where all voices are heard and ideas are shared in a constructive manner outside of the sessions. Besides the ability to engage the entire group in a discussion outside of the session, small groups also provide the flexibility to incorporate asynchronous and real-time work. By harnessing these advantages, leaders can use small groups to drive initiatives and find the best solutions.
Team bonding activities
Whether you’re hosting an international meeting for clients or staff, team bonding activities help people become more comfortable with one another and improve collaboration and problem-solving skills. Many of these activities are also a great way to have fun while meeting and socializing with colleagues. After all, a boring workplace does no one any good. And if the team isn’t having fun, they’re probably not as engaged.
To create a fun ice-breaker, divide your team into groups of four. Give each group a different theme for a week, such as a picture of someone as a baby, a photo of a prom, or something they’ve cooked recently. You can also pair up members of the team without them knowing who took which photo. Then, each member of the team can guess the picture without revealing who took it.
Mobile meeting apps
There are several mobile meeting apps available in the market. Some of the best apps allow users to share documents, photos, and videos with other participants. Others provide the facility to have VOIP conversations and video conferences for free. There are also several options for PCs and smartphones, including the popular LINE. GoToMeeting is another popular app that offers unlimited internet conference calls and online meetings. The service supports up to three participants and offers screen sharing.
Zoom is an HD video conferencing application that allows users to hold group meetings via Wi-Fi or mobile phones. This app has been downloaded over 10 million times. It features HD video quality, screen sharing, and personalized meeting URLs. Zoom also offers plans for businesses, starting at $ 10 per month and include unlimited calls for up to 200 participants. You can even record a meeting and send it to participants. These apps are ideal for international meetings, as the participants can easily participate in it from their smartphones or tablets.
Understanding cultural differences
Before traveling, make sure you understand cultural differences when attending international meetings. The most important thing to remember is that people from different cultures do not all act, think, or believe the same way. Avoid stereotypes that may negatively affect your experience. Instead, focus on being empathetic and not comparing and judging people. Here are some helpful tips:
Be open to learning about historical events in other cultures. When attending international meetings, acknowledge historical events that may have shaped the cultures of participants. It is essential to understand the history and impact of these events for effective communication. Also, be aware of any power imbalances and listen to each other’s perceptions of these imbalances. By understanding differences, you can better cooperate and achieve your goals. Whether your colleagues are native speakers or have studied other cultures, they are sure to bring their own unique perspectives to the table.
