Since kickoff meetings sometimes last as long as that post (LOL), I suggest an ample supply of snacks and beverages. Maintaining blood sugar levels can keep the meeting productive and fun. Learned that from teaching/parenting kindergarteners — its equally applicable for adults.
Projects have their own cultures, just like organizations. The sooner you take an active role in building that culture to compliment the organizational one, the happier everyone will be.
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Kevin M. Hoffman
Thanks for your points and compliments, jpatrickdesign and designvibe. Food and meetings should always go hand in hand.
To your point, jpatrickdesign, I’d like to see a catering company that specializes in kickoffs, workshops, and longer planning meetings. meetingfood.com, or something like that.
Thanks. Really enjoyed the article, Kick Ass Kickoff Meetings. It provides very insightful ideas for involving stakeholders to ensure project success. In fact, it inspired my latest blog posting in which I cited Kevin Hoffman and the UIE reprint of this article, and his suggested pre-kickoff questions to ask stakeholder interviewees:
Relationship Management Starts Here: Preparing for Client Kickoff Meetings
I particularly appreciate the advice of not having the REAL kick-off meeting too early. Scoping out the landscape for everyone who might have a say or impact the project can save a lot of wasted time and energy.
18 Reader Comments
Back to the ArticleKevin M. Hoffman
@Hosting John Alden – Thank you!
@rjmacadaeg – Thanks for sharing that list!
I’m curious if any of the approaches to improv that you mention are incorporated into this book: http://www.gogamestorm.com/
I’ve already ordered my copy.
jpatrickdesign
Good ideas on all accounts. Thanks!
Since kickoff meetings sometimes last as long as that post (LOL), I suggest an ample supply of snacks and beverages. Maintaining blood sugar levels can keep the meeting productive and fun. Learned that from teaching/parenting kindergarteners — its equally applicable for adults.
~ @jpatrickdesign
designvibe
very thought-out article, i found this really interesting, thanks.
bryanjbusch
Compliment should be complement.
krista.stevens
Thanks @bryanjbusch! All fixed.
Kevin M. Hoffman
Thanks for your points and compliments, jpatrickdesign and designvibe. Food and meetings should always go hand in hand.
To your point, jpatrickdesign, I’d like to see a catering company that specializes in kickoffs, workshops, and longer planning meetings. meetingfood.com, or something like that.
wolferj24
Thanks. Really enjoyed the article, Kick Ass Kickoff Meetings. It provides very insightful ideas for involving stakeholders to ensure project success. In fact, it inspired my latest blog posting in which I cited Kevin Hoffman and the UIE reprint of this article, and his suggested pre-kickoff questions to ask stakeholder interviewees:
Relationship Management Starts Here: Preparing for Client Kickoff Meetings
http://robwolfemba.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/relationship-management-starts-here-preparing-for-client-kickoff-meetings/
AnotherWebGuy
I particularly appreciate the advice of not having the REAL kick-off meeting too early. Scoping out the landscape for everyone who might have a say or impact the project can save a lot of wasted time and energy.