Nilofer Merchant: Got a meeting?

Take a walk

① What do you think this talk might be about? What associations with the word ‘meeting’ do you have?
Do you think that meeting is the most effective way of discussing the issues?

② Read the following information about the talk and work out the new vocab:

Nilofer Merchant suggests a small idea that just might have a big impact on your life and health: Next time
you have a one-on-one meeting, make it into a "walking meeting" -- and let ideas flow while you walk and
talk.

Business innovator Nilofer Merchant thinks deeply about the frameworks, strategies and cultural values of
companies.

1. sitting is prevalent A. able to work as intended or to succeed

2. doable idea B. very common and happening often

3. viable solution C. the final conclusion

4. to reframe the problem D. can be achieved or performed

5. the bottom line is … E. to look at it from another point of view/to reorient

* make a verb from ‘prevalent’ - ……………………………………….

** which adjective collocates with the following adverbs? commercially/economically/financially/politically
……………………………………….
*** do you know any other similar expressions to ‘The bottom line is …’ …………………………………………………….

 Is the speaker’s idea of walking the talk viable? Why / why not?
 What might be the potential obstacles towards implementing it on a full scale?
 How would you interpret the following quotes:

“The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings.”
Thomas Sowell
“If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will
achieve, its full potential, that word would be 'meetings.'” Dave Barry

“I feel like I'm part of history being made. I leave Apple board meetings thinking, 'I've got to do a better job.'
Andrea Jung

http://www.ted.com/talks/nilofer_merchant_got_a_meeting_take_a_walk.html