On Company Meetings

Company meetings are meant to be a way for high level employees to communicate to the lowly regular employees. The speakers most likely deserve an applause or two. It is supposed to be informational, positive experience. Unfortunately for the past decade I just haven't gone to good ones. They are boring, chess sharpening experience (I just have to make sure sound is not on).

Look, first of all, you don't HAVE to have one. Don't schedule one if you don't have meaningful things to say. News items that you think are exciting can be communicated through your intranet or a broadcast email. If you have 100 employees, each making $10 an hour that's a $1000 an hour. Make good use of that hour and money.

Microphones: if your company don't even have good microphones go get some. There is gotta be a radio shack somewhere. This is the FIRST item on your company agenda if you are going to have company meetings.

Even if you have working microphones, unfortunately, most people don't have good speaking skills. This is why late night hosts make millions. People yap and yap an idea that can be summed up in 1 sentence into half and hour. Keep it short and to the point. Allow ME to demonstrate a good speech (but I forgot I am a lowest ranking lowly employee)

Topics: your topic is telling me that industry trend is that people are using more iPhones now then ever? How long do you want this speech to be? you've got to be kidding if intend to talk about this for half an hour. Talk about things that interest everyone such as quarterly earnings, # of new hires (don't make them stand and say "Hi I am so-and-so"), new projects etc. have a fun demo or two.

Projectors can be turned off. Look, if your speaker isn't talking about something on the projector, kinda hide the slides. If there is light, people's attention go there (not to the speaker)

Hours: don't schedule in late afternoon. People want to go home around 5:00. don't keep me after 5:00pm unless something is important. Don't make me come before 9:00a unless it is something absolutely necessary.

Make it a happy experience by being kind to your employees. 1. schedule it something like 9:30am. Provide good coffee and donuts. 2. Have short, interesting presentations. 3. Have the CEO speak to demonstrate connection. 4. Don't ever provide beer, it is simply stupid. What if one guy get drunk and start hitting people?