The collaborative meeting technology helps teams work together for better and faster results by enabling them to:

• Create ideas simultaneously and anonymously

• Breakdown issues preventing collective decision making

• Considerably reduce the amount of time needed to explore issues and concerns

• Evaluate results in a variety of ways to reach true consensus

The effectiveness and efficiency of the approach stems from three features:

• Ideas are entered anonymously: they are judged on their own merit, people are more willing to take risks and tough issues surface and are resolved.

• Everyone can enter their ideas at the same time: more ideas and suggestions are generated, no-one dominates the meeting and more people can participate without longer meetings.

• All meeting data is automatically saved: a complete and objective record is immediately available to participants at the end of the meeting, so teams are kept on track and maintain their momentum.

The Interactive Workshops work well when some of the following exist or are required:

1. Sensitive issues need to be discussed which participants might be reluctant to talk about openly

2. Some participants feel shy about speaking up in front of their seniors and management

3. There is an extreme (even violent) difference of opinions among dominant personalities

4. Consensus is needed before going forward

5. Multiple expertises/perspectives are necessary to make a good decision

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the interactive technology stifle or replace conventional discussion?
   No, it actually stimulates it. Participants are encouraged to discuss their ideas and comments around the table prior to entering them. Discussion is then further fuelled by the arrival on the screens of stimulating or provocative thoughts from other participants.

2. Does the technology require computer and keyboard literacy?
   No. The interface has proved to be exceptionally straightforward whilst less proficient keyboard users tend to find succinct but effective expression to their thoughts. When laptops are being shared the most proficient operator usually takes on the keyboarding role.

3. Do people abuse anonymity?
   No. Overwhelming evidence shows that people rise to inspiring levels of being constructive when given the freedom to speak their mind. However other participants immediately (and anonymously) deal with any breach of etiquette.

4. How does it go down with multi-lingual groups?
   Very well indeed! Participants who have some hesitation with their English are encouraged by the fact that they can take their time in formulating their inputs, that anonymity will protect them from their errors and that the native English speakers cannot dominate the debate. Ultimately participants feel free to express themselves in their native language rather than go unheard.