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Meeting Tokens, for creating time scarcity

Submitted by Merlin on October 19, 2007 - 8:16am.

My pal, Mike Monteiro, is making good on his idea to try giving his team Meeting Tokens.

'Meeting Tokens' by Mike Monteiro

Previously mentioned in this post about re-creating scarcity and, in more detail, in my IDEO talk.

Can’t wait to hear how it goes. I love me some scarcity.

Update, 2007-10-19 10:18 PT: Mike says he’s going to produce these as handsome wooden tokens that will soon be available for sale in sets on the Mule Feed Store.

Update 2007-10-20 14:52 PT: Mike adds “The Red Merlin” to the mix.

Each bag of meeting tokens will include ONE Red Merlin. It’s up to you to decide how it gets in someone’s hands.

Playing the Red Merlin ends ANY meeting on the spot. No questions. (Beware of retaliation though; play it to make allies, not to make enemies.)

I’m honored.

in

Re: Meeting Tokens, for creating time scarcity

Submitted by Adam on October 20, 2007 - 1:20pm.

Holding effective meetings is a skill like any other. Handing out tokens won’t teach people a skill. If anything it would cause resentment in the workplace.

Here’s a few things I have picked up from experience: 1) Have an agenda which is sent to people BEFORE the meeting. 2) Have clearly defined issues on the agenda, and have clearly defined resolutions to those issues. Everyone should leave the meeting feeling like progress was made towards something. 3) Have a meeting leader. They keep everyone focused on the agenda items and time. 4) No meeting over an hour. Ever.

If for any reason any of the four of these items can’t be fulfilled, then this is a meeting that should never have happened in the first place.