[speaker001:] Come in, Arnold. Have a seat.
[speaker002:] Good morning.
[speaker001:] Would you like something to drink?
[speaker002:] No, thank you. I just had two cups of coffee at my desk.
[speaker001:] So, you're a serious coffee drinker.
[speaker002:] Yes, it keeps me going. Sometimes I think I'm addicted.
[speaker001:] Well, coffee isn't such a bad thing.Everyone has to have something.For me, it's cigars. Are you a cigar smoker?
[speaker002:] No, I've tried them. But I'm not really a smoker.
[speaker001:] Well, what would you like to talk to me about?
[speaker002:] I wanted to set up this meeting with you to discuss a little proposal.
[speaker001:] I'm glad when people have new ideas around here. Tell me about it.
[speaker002:] It is about the staff meetings.You know how we have a staff meeting every Tuesday.
[speaker001:] Yes.
[speaker002:] Well, I have been thinking about it.And I believe we could do things more efficiently here.
[speaker001:] What do you suggest?
[speaker002:] The way it is now, the staff from all four branches get together once a week.We meet for one hour. But I think a lot of time is wasted in transportation.
[speaker001:] You mean because people have to go across town to get here.
[speaker002:] Yes. Some people spend half of the morning on the road.
[speaker001:] That's true. But our staff meetings are very important, Arnold. I don't know how we can function without them.
[speaker002:] I think they are important too.That 's why I want people to have a better attitude about them.
[speaker001:] I know a lot of people think the meetings aren't too useful. I'm aware of that.
[speaker002:] Here's what I propose. I think we should meet once every two weeks, but meet for ninety minutes or more.
[speaker001:] Well.
[speaker002:] I also think the meetings should be more focused.And I would be willing to take responsibility for that.
[speaker001:] You mean you want to run the meetings?
[speaker002:] No, not really run them. But I could help organize them. I could discuss meeting topics with you, and then prepare a schedule for each meeting. I could then send an e-mail to all the staff to explain the coming meeting.This way the meetings would become more focused, and people would prepare better.
[speaker001:] Hmm. But we would meet every two weeks.
[speaker002:] I really think it would work.The meetings could be longer, and better organized.
[speaker001:] I am not against the idea, Arnold.It may really be more efficient, as you say. I'll tell you what we can do.Why don't we try your proposal for a month, and see how it works.
[speaker002:] Excellent. I would be happy to get started on it.
[speaker001:] I will call the managers.Then tomorrow I'll tell you when we can schedule our first meeting in this " new style. "