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Professionals working in science,
healthcare, public health or related fields 

Have you experienced any of these?​

  • Lack of engagement in your meetings

  • Poorly-led and unfocused discussions 

  • Unequal sharing (i.e., dominators and observers)

  • Misunderstandings between scientists and decisionmakers

  • Stalled decisions that result in lost opportunities

  • Information-overload and isolation in large events

Do you want your meetingsworkshops and events
to be 
more efficient, 
effective and engaging?

Schedule a complimentary consultation today!​

"Stop letting poor meetings delay progress
Help everyone focus and contribute

Start getting better results"

-- Barb Bickford
Owner and principal
Bickford Collaboration

2020 - Barb and Mike - Block Portrait St

Are you a leader who wants to make a difference?

Relax and stay focused on progress while we help everyone contribute
during your 
next staff meeting, retreat, planning session, workshop or conference

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TECHNICAL MEETINGS

Invite everyone to contribute and explore issues and solve problems collaboratively, whether your meeting is small or large, lasts 1 hour or several days, and is local or international in scope. 

Our unique experience in science, public policy and facilitation can help you balance different perspectives. 
Read about some of our client projects. Contact us about what you have in mind. 

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BOARD or STAFF RETREATS

Does your group need a jump start or some time away from urgent business to connect with one another? Or, conversely, do you need time together to focus on doing one thing, like creating a plan?

 

An online or in-person retreat could help your group move forward with more clarity, connection and purpose. See our Services page for more details. Then contact us. We'd love to hear about what you want to do! 

Photo credit: Kristian Angelo on Unsplash

Do you want to be a more confident leader?

Get more done in less time

Collaborate with skill and confidence
Be seen and respected
Advance your career

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Photo credit: Wendy Gorski

WORKSHOPS

Up-level your conferences, continuing education workshops and staff meetings.  We'll introduce tools and practices for working collaboratively and supporting better working relationships, both in person and online.


Our custom workshops fit your goals and your budget, Contact us to describe what you would like to have happen or choose one of the topics below:

Plan Quickly (Intro to Ecocycle Planning) Quickly view, organize, and prioritize what you're doing now. Identify obstacles and opportunities for progress.  

Increase Engagement in Your Meetings Experience 3 versatile easy-to-learn activities that increase participation. Tackle engagement issues in your group.

Improve Communication Listen and be listened to at a deeper level by using the basics of Clean Language in your group's context

Get Just a Little More Rest Tired people don't work well together. But being well-rested isn't just about getting a good night's sleep! Experience several types of rest and make your own plan for getting just a little more rest.

Create Focused and Productive Meetings Planning a clear agenda can save time in meetings. Address common ways meetings go off-track. 

UpcomingWorkshops
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LEARNING
Check out our events on the Improve Your Meetings website 
-- Upcoming Events  (scheduled workshops and courses)

-- Custom Events  (events we offer on request)

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SUPPORT

Grow your leadership by receiving tips for improving your meetings and news about workshops and courses

QUICK RESOURCES

The word "Tips" and a woman leaning over people asking questions about an activity
The word "Activities" and a woman pointing to a wall with stickies on it.

Photo credits: Steve Brachman
and Angie Hong

TEN TIPS Do you find it hard to get people to participate in your online meetings? There are simple things you can do that will turn viewers into active contributors. Access our ten tips to foster online engagement (no email required)

QUICK PLANNING If planning turns you off, but you need to plan something quickly, you can capture the big picture, choose next steps and more with Ecocycle PlanningAccess the instructions 
(note: we ask for your email so w
e can send a few emails about the Ecocycle)

 
* Ecocycle Planning is a Liberating Structure created by Keith McCandless and Henri Lipmanowicx and is used under a Creative Commons license

I improved my meetings -- You can too!

Woman smailing broadly and wearing a headset in a Zoom window

Barb Bickford, owner and principal of Bickford Collaboration

I"m a geologist turned consultant who guides 
groups toward clarity and creative solutions and
individuals who want to contribute and
collaborate with confidence.

 

If you want your meetings to be more efficient,

effective, engaging and even fun, call me! 

Learn more about Barb

Bickford Collaboration's logo: a circle of people around two green leaves

As a former staff scientist in the public sector, I saw how

poorly-led meetings, top-down decisions. 
fear of conflict and lack of trust created unnecessary stress.

This impacted not only
our results but also our personal health.

What the lack of effective collaboration

is doing to your results and to you 
just isn't right!

contact

Want to improve your professional meetings?
Schedule your complimentary conversation

What is (are) the best way(s) for us to reach you?

Your message has been sent, and we'll respond soon

Bickford Collaboration's logo: a circle of people around two green leaves

Bickford Collaboration, LLC
Stillwater, Minnesota
608-630-0177 or 651-413-2425
bickfordcollaboration@gmail.com

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Green Business
Greater Stillwater Area

© 2019-2025 BIckford Collaboration, LLC.   All rights reserved. 

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