Donna/Sunstone/Craigc/Asy/Paul/Others,
Great to meet everyone last Wed night. The next meeting is already in my diary.
For everyone to get maximum value out of these meetings, I believe we need an agenda. I know some participants aren't keen on a really formal structure but I am concerned that, if we don't have an agenda, the group will slowly die as people will feel that they not getting value (everyone's time is precious).
For example, an agenda could be drafted as follows:
1. Introduce participants (name, job/profession, IP maturity (say, beginner, 2-3 years experience, 4-5 years experience, 5+ years experience), IPs owned)
2. Review agenda
3. Presentation from a participant on their IP experience (voluntary and preferably with some notice)
or
3. Panel discussion on a topic such as investment structures, good/bad experience with lenders (or financial brokers or accountants or solicitors or real estate agents or ....), taxation, etc (preferably, topic selected at previous meeting)
or
3. Presentation from someone in the industry (obviously notice will be required)
4. Question and Answer session
5. Next Meeting (date, time, venue, chairperson, presentation topic)
6. Close meeting followed by networking
The chairperson could rotate through the group so that the workload is shared. Also, we may need to set up some ground rules for the meeting such as only one person speaks at a time, we all agree to the directions of the chairperson, all discussion is opinion and CANNOT in any circumstances be taken as advice, etc, etc.
These are my thoughts and I am keen to hear the thoughts of others. I want to see this group succeed and be of value to everyone.
Hopefully, at the next meeting, I will have my voice back and can be an active contributor.
Regards,
Kieran
