#189 Consortium Meetings - The Implementation Series (11)
Episode siteIn this new episode in The Implementation Series, I have invited in Nicole Schmidt from EUTEMA to share her insights on consortium meetings. These meetings are rarely just about reporting—they’re where the real dynamics of a project come into play. Nicole brings her long-standing experience in proposal writing and project implementation to the table, reflecting on how roles are clarified (or blurred), how partners position themselves, and how the soft skills of coordination make all the difference. Our conversation highlights that consortium meetings are human systems in action: they are where trust is built, conflicts surface, and alignment is forged. Nicole shares practical tips on structuring agendas, reading the room, and balancing technical content with relational dynamics. For anyone who has ever wondered why some meetings feel energising and others draining, this episode offers both insights and strategies to make consortium meetings a real driver of collaboration.Time codes:00:01:33 Introduction00:05:29 Fly in00:09:53 What a consortium meeting looks like00:20:31 Planning00:37:56 The formal agenda: key elements01:10:29 Involving external stakeholders01:21:26 Project culture starts here01:28:22 Advice01:30:51 The toughest challenge