Q.8 What is the difference between a conference and a meeting?

ANS:

While a committee, as well as a conference, is a type of group communication, in a committee meeting the number of members is small, there is a well defined agenda and decisions taken are legally binding on the organization. A committee meeting is therefore a very formal affair, as its members are appointed, or nominated, and the meeting is organized with a view to solving a pertinent problem, or to implement a decision.

A conference, on the other hand, is a relatively informal gettogether of a larger group that meets in an informal manner; the decisions taken at a conference are of a consultative or advisory nature. Participants in a conference do not have any voting right. In a conference, a given problem/ subject is analysed from all angles in order to arrive at the best possible solution / option. These decisions are put forward in a recommendatory fashion.

For instance, a bank organising an in-house conference, before introducing the ATM facility to its customers, may invite general discussion on various aspects of the proposition, such as

• • What is the profile of the customer?
  • What would be their reaction to such a scheme?
  • What kind of reception would this new facility receive?
  • How should the bank break the news to its customers?
  • What effort should it take to break their resistance?
  • How should it address their security concerns?
  • What should be the advertising strategy?

It is only after a thorough study of all these aspects, and in the light of the recommendations received, that a policy decision on whether such a facility should be introduced, where it should be introduced first, what will be the task of the Public Relations Department etc, will be taken.