How often have you left a meeting frustrated that little or nothing was achieved? Studies show that CEO's spend at least 70 percent of their time in meetings. This in itself indicates the importance of having a well run meeting. If you are chairing a meeting here are a few tips I have found effective in ensuring a well run meeting that produces results.

1. Be prepared! This is crucial. Before the meeting send out an agenda to ensure attendees understand the purpose of the meeting and what they need to prepare before the meeting.
2. Only invite the people that need to be there.
3. Begin on time. People don't want to waste their time waiting on those that are late.
4. Have time limits for each agenda item in order to keep on task.
5. Items that need more time for discussion should be tabled and discussed later and brought to the group at a later time.
6. Allow everyone time to speak on an issue that needs discussion, however, do not allow people to hijack the conversation.
7. For each item that needs to be completed assign action item to designated person and deadline to be achieved.
8. Add food, fun and humour to make meetings more enjoyable.
9. End on time.
10. Send out meeting minutes with action items attached, to each attendee no later than the following day.

Here's to more successful meetings coming your way.

Labels: action item, agenda, effective meetings, management