How experts handle their meetings
Meetings have a bad rap! Everyone seems to dread them. So I say, let’s fix ‘em. I searched the web, looking for blogs that offer real help to make sure that the next meeting you run doesn’t have your attendees groaning.
5 Rules for Efficient, Effective Meetings
Inc.com’s blog on reclaiming meetings takes a different approach by suggesting we meet more often, not less. It also suggests that meeting types don’t get mixed. So if it’s an update meeting, don’t tie in a strategy session. Tip #4 focusses on having the right moderator for the job. And the final tip is to spend the last 5 minutes recapping the meeting. This ensures everyone is on the same page.
Read more at Inc.com
The How To Guide To Setting Up A Meeting For Success
Our own Adriana Girdler shares her tips for meeting success:
- Prep for the meeting properly. Focus on the agenda (share it with participants before the meeting). Determine who should be there. Create PPT slides if needed.
- At the beginning of the meeting, set it up for the participants by explaining the tools you’ll use, like Time Outs (if the discussion is off topic, use a time out to refocus the group; and the Parking Lot (if you called a Time Out, and the topic is important, but not on the agenda, write it down on the Parking Lot to ensure the idea isn’t lost.
- Agendas are key. Follow it to a tee or you may spend 60 minutes going in circles with no real outcome.
- After the meeting, send a summary email to all participants. People often walk out of meetings with different understandings, a summary email will ensure everyone is on the same page.
Read more at CornerStoneDynamics.com
Tips for Running Effective Meetings
Intuit.com created an infographic that provides a nice summary on effective meetings. Tips for effective meetings include: punctual meetings, set clear expectations, send materials in advance, and avoid monologues.