David Cotton spent 21 years with Arthur Andersen and PwC before becoming an independent trainer. He has worked in four continents and nearly 40 countries, designing and delivering leadership, management and soft skills training and helping organisations to develop their business strategies. A prolific author, he has written a dozen books, two of which won publishers' bestseller awards, and scores of articles. His client portfolio encompasses business startups, SMEs and household name organisations in nearly every industry sector, central and local government departments and many major European institutions. When he is not working, he collects and plays stringed instruments of the world, arranges music, plays association croquet and is a self-confessed readaholic. Married with two children, David lives in Cheshire, UK.

• : Introduction: Sunday: Why meetings?: Monday: Preparing for a meeting: Tuesday: Participating in a meeting: Wednesday: Chairing a meeting: Thursday: Virtual and other types of meeting: Friday: After the meeting: Saturday: The perfect meeting: Surviving in tough times: Answers