Small groups are important elements in business and professional life, and
much of the work of small groups is done in meetings. To lead a meeting, establish
an agenda and make sure that it is followed; encourage all members to participate
in group discussions; and guide the discussion to make sure that it stays on
the subject. When you are a participant in a small group meeting, enter the
discussion with a positive attitude and an open mind. One of the most effective agendas for problem solving is known as the reflective-thinking
method. It involves seven steps: defining the problem; analyzing it; establishing
criteria for evaluating solutions; suggesting possible solutions; choosing the
best solution; deciding how to implement the solution; and deciding how to test
the solution. Sometimes groups appear in public to discuss or debate an issue. Two popular
formats for team presentations are the symposium (a series of brief speeches
on a common topic) and the panel discussion (an informal presentation involving
a moderator and panelists). | 
2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education