Are we talking about a large complex aircraft here? Simple aircraft, simple brief. And are you sure that your briefing is as concise as it can be? I too have given briefs which the bored the chappy in the other seat into submission, basically because it was as crap as it was pointless. Also, when in a busy terminal area, there is often no benefit in briefing the arrival or transition other than to discus how much of short cut you might get and what you might do when you get it. And are we talking about the same set of destinations each time? If are we may I suggest that you brief the differences.
As for using flaps, airbrakes and gear I have found that too many F/O's use them incorrectly. I believe you should only use them when you have to or because of aerodynamic considerations and not because you'll soon be landing or just because the speed allows. Given an ideal world, I'll stay clean until about 9 miles or so.
PM