Archive for October, 2005
How To Stay Awake In Meetings
(from email – enjoy!)
Do you keep falling asleep in meetings and seminars? What about those long and boring conference calls? Here’s a way to change all of that.
1. Before (or during) your next meeting, seminar, or conference call, prepare yourself by drawing a square. I find that 5″ x 5″ is a good size. Divide the card into columns–five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.
2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:
- synergy
- strategic fit
- core competencies
- best practice
- bottom line
- revisit
- expeditious
- to tell you the truth (or “the truth is”)
- 24/7
- out of the loop
- benchmark
- value-added
- proactive
- win-win
- think outside the box
- fast track
- result-driven
- empower (or empowerment)
- knowledge base
- at the end of the day
- touch base
- mindset
- client focus(ed)
- paradigm
- game plan
- leverage
3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout “BULLSHIT!”
Testimonials from satisfied “Bullshit Bingo” players:
- “I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won.” – Adam W., Atlanta
- “My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically.” – David T., Florida
- “What a gas! Meetings will never be the same for me after my first win.” – Dan J., New York City
- “The atmosphere was tense in the last process meeting as 14 of us waited for the fifth box.” – Ben G., Denver
- “The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed ‘BULLSHIT!’ for the third time in two hours. The Bullshit Bingo Championship will be played at the next meeting.” – Jim O., Portland