![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Here are ten things that you can do to hold more effective meetings.
1) Avoid meetings. Test the importance of a meeting by asking, "What happens without it?" If your answer is, "Nothing," then don't call the meeting.
2) Prepare goals. These are the results you want to obtain by the end of the meeting. Write out your goals before the meetings. They should be so clear, complete, and specific that someone else could use them to lead your meeting. Also, make sure they can be achieved with available people, resources, and time. Specific goals help everyone make efficient toward relevant results.
3) Challenge each goal. Ask, "Is there another way to achieve this?" For example, if you want to distribute information, you may find it more efficient to phone, FAX, mail, e-mail, or visit. Realize that a meeting is a team activity. Save tasks that require a team effort for your meetings.
4) Prepare an agenda. Everyone knows an agenda leads to an effective meeting. Yet, many people "save time" by neglecting to prepare an agenda. A meeting without an agenda is like a journey without a map. It is guaranteed to take longer and produce fewer results. Note, without an agenda, you risk becoming someone else's helper (see tip #6 below).
5) Inform others. Send the agenda before the meeting. That helps others prepare to work with you in the meeting. Unprepared participants waste your time by preparing for the meeting during the meeting.
6) Assume control. If you find yourself in a meeting without an agenda walk out. If you must stay, prepare an agenda in the meeting. Collect a list of issues, identify the most important, and work on that. When you finish, if time remains, select the next most important issue. Note: you can use a meeting without an agenda to recruit help for your projects.
7) Focus on the issue. Avoid stories, jokes, and unrelated issues. Although entertaining, these waste time, distract focus, and mislead others. Save the fun for social occasions where it will be appreciated.
8) Be selective. Invite only those who can contribute to achieving your goals for the meeting. Crowds of observers and supporters bog down progress in a meeting.
9) Budget time. No one would spend $1000 on a 10¢ pencil, but they often spend 40 employee hours on trivia. Budget time in proportion to the value of the issue. For example, you could say, "I want a decision on this in 10 minutes. That means we'll evaluate it for the next 9 minutes, followed by a vote."
10) Use structured activities in your meetings. These process tools keep you in control while you ensure equitable participation and systematic progress toward results.
Certified professional facilitator and author Steve Kaye helps groups of people hold effective meetings. His innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. His facilitation produces results that people will support. And his books show how to hold effective meetings.
Sign up for his free newsletter for more ideas like this. Call 714-528-1300 or visit http://www.stevekaye.com for over 100 pages of information.
As a counselor, therapist or healing professional (massage therapist, physiotherapist,... Read More
At Macquarie University in the early '90s, three Australian early... Read More
Positioning Your Company for Debt Financing:There was a time in... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More
Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More
Ten Tips for Staying ConnectedMany of my business clients tell... Read More
10 Ways to Boost your ProfitabilitySo many business owners work... Read More
The 2004 election is over--at least in the minds of... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
Always include a powerful signature on every email you send... Read More
The lack of strong boundaries is one of the chief... Read More
If you are like me, you are living some distance... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
Viral Marketing is allowing people to giveaway and use your... Read More
Gas prices continue to go through the roof and increased... Read More
Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More
1. Locks and Padlocks ? Locks on all outside entrances... Read More
Here are seven excellent ways to earn income from international... Read More
1. Think Big ? In college, Michael Dell said he... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More
If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More
There are lots of benefits for some businesses to import... Read More
Many businesses lose money yearly because they don't think creatively... Read More
1. Use subheads throughout your ad copy.Subheads are great to... Read More
If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More
Many people find it really hard to write for business... Read More
Having business partner or planning to start a business with... Read More
Google is the pre-eminent search engine (SE) with no close... Read More
Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More
You need sales and you wanted them yesterday. Here are... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
Almost daily, newspapers, business magazines, radio and television carry reports... Read More
Either simply a looker-on or a player in the world... Read More
Counselling non-performing team members is a tough part of any... Read More
Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
Cash is king-so they say. If you work for yourself... Read More
Not having a business card is as bad as using... Read More
Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More
Millions of people start new small businesses in the United... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
What is Choice Theory (CT)? CT is a theory of... Read More
1. Think Big ? In college, Michael Dell said he... Read More
Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More
Seven Reasons Why Training Doesn't Produce the Desired Results and... Read More
Top Quick TipsTop Quick Tips |