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Welcome to Obsidian Offices
Greetings!
Welcome to our first e-newsletter. This issue features
Victoria's top ten tips for making your meetings more efficient, a
spotlight feature with an obsidian offices client, and the journey
of what is thought to be the second largest piece of obsidian in
the country.
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Victoria's Top Tips
Spending too much time in
meetings? Here are 10 tips to make them much more efficient.
- Schedule shorter meetings. Agendas always seem to expand to fill the time
allotted to them. It's too tempting to schedule meetings for an
hour or half an hour because that's the default in diary
software. Try scheduling different times and different
durations.
- 15-minute meetings. Try scheduling 15-minute meetings. Send out a tight
agenda and supporting documents in advance. Give everyone
a brief opportunity to have their say and then move to a
decision. At obsidian all our rooms can be booked for as
little as 15 minutes, why not try us out?
- Shorter minutes. There's usually no need to record who said what; just
what decisions you made and who is going to do what.
- Get everyone to contribute. The Chair should always ask quiet people for their
views; they might have a critical contribution but lack
confidence to speak.
- Use a timer. If times short, set time limits and a strict timetable
for each part of the agenda.
- Learn from your success and mistakes. After each meeting spend a minute to ask everyone what
went well and what they would change next time.
- Use document templates. Microsoft has lots of templates you can use to create an
agenda or minutes quickly.
- Use a computer to capture actions. A laptop with a projector is a great tool for capturing
minutes and ideas, whilst whiteboards and flipcharts are ideal
for brain storming.
- Avoid same time, same place meetings. Regular meetings create a sense of continuity but it's
easy to lapse into bad habits - no agenda or minutes. For the
best results, treat each meeting like a one-off.
- Deflect distractions. If an issue comes up that is interesting but off-topic,
note it on a whiteboard or in the minutes so that it doesn't get
lost. Avoid being interrupted and losing the momentum of
the meeting by using obsidian's quiet and well equipped rooms.
Not used our rooms for your
meetings before?Quote this newsletter and we will even let you use us
for free.
*1 hour booking offer ends 30/11/08.
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A piece of Mexico makes it's
way to obsidian offices
For three years Victoria (Business Centre
Manager) has worked with June Pickett of Easy Crystals in locating
what is thought to be one of the largest pieces of obsidian in the
country.
The large piece of volcanic glass began its journey from a mine in
Mexico, was then shipped in Colorado and then finally has completed its
journey and will take pride of place in the main reception area of
Obsidian Offices.
Victoria said, 'When we re-launched our company in 2005 with the
Obsidian brand, the team thought it would be wonderful to create a
focal point on interest in the offices with the largest piece they
could locate. There has been drama along the way and at one
point, when the pieces were breaking as they came out of the mine, we
really didn't think this day would arrive.'
Should you wish to see this rare and beautiful piece,
Victoria would be delighted for you to do so, 'Anyone wishing to come
and have a look at the piece is more than welcome, we are proud to have
such a beautiful and interesting focal point at our offices and would
be delighted to share this, so please feel free to drop in.'
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 Client Spotlight...
Recruitment and Outplacement Service Company; Mason Finch is
an obsidian offices client, I spoke to Karin Parkinson about her views
on the office services and the flexibility obsidian have offered her
company.
How
have obsidian been able to help you?
Well, as a small company we are
often out on appointments and unable to pick up calls. You deal
with our customers in the same way we would and genuinely act as an
extension of our business, which is invaluable.
What about the facilities?
The premises are always
immaculate, very smart surrounding with lots of attention to
detail. My clients have been very impressed. And, I have
established some really strong networking contacts with my neighbours
in the building.
And finally, how do you find
the staff?
They are always very pleasant
and helpful; it's been a pleasure to come into the office!
For more on the services obsidian can offer your business visit our website.
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If
there is anything we can assist you with, get in touch!
Please
forward this to friends and colleagues using the link below.
Victoria
Shone
Business Centre
Manager
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