Meeting Prep: “Index Card” vs. “Full Binder”

Not long ago, while teaching a client workshop, one of the participants verbalized a great way to think about business meetings… specifically, a great way to think about the level of information you need to be able to discuss. The participant described the difference between an “index card meeting” and a “full binder meeting.” Some meetings are high-level only… an “index card meeting.” Some meetings are all about the details… a “full binder meeting.”

I love this… a brilliant way to describe the difference.

We all know that some meetings remain at a very high level of information, and other meetings dive deep into the details. The “altitude” of your meeting depends on a few variables: level of seniority of the audience, level of expertise/familiarity with the concept from the audience, and (as always) time.

Some audiences want and require the details, and others only want the macro.

So how do you know what kind of meeting it is? Learn about this audience as much as possible. Pay attention to what happened the last few times you met with them. If you are meeting with them for the first time, ask questions of those who might have met with them before.

And if you are legitimately not sure, then go in ready with the index card AND the full binder. Lead with the index card, and dive into the full binder as time allows and interest level dictates.

Good luck!

Does your team:
– Take too long to make decision?
– Fail to ask for what it wants or needs from you?
– Make things too complicated?
– Deliver unconvincing or disorganized presentations?
– Have new hires who are unprepared to communicate in the workplace?

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Dean Brenner

A book about change

The Latimer Group’s CEO Dean Brenner is a noted keynote speaker and author on the subject of persuasive communication. He has written three books, including Persuaded, in which he details how communication can transform organizations into highly effective, creative, transparent environments that succeed at every level.