Meetings don’t have to suck…well, most of them do actually, but with a bit of structure and clear objectives they could be less of a nuisance. Some of the important things to consider are:
- Share the agenda at least 24 hours in advance (it allows for participants to arrive prepared and ready to contribute)
- Keep the meetings focused on the agenda (other items can be discussed at a later time)
- Decision makers should be present (allows for quicker resolutions and progress)
- End with actionable items with specific responsibilities and timeline (everyone needs to know who needs to do what and by when)
Finally, do all you can to end them within an hour – any longer and people lose focus and start think about things such as lunch, drive home, kids, dinner…you get the picture.