subject: Running Effective and Valuable Meetings [print this page] Meetings are a fundamental piece of the operation of a business. However, many organisations find that running efficient and effective meetings just isn't quite as easy as this indicates.
Running Efficient and Effective Meetings: Set Valid Goals
One of the biggest problems with running efficient and effective meetings is deficiencies in purpose. You need to ensure that you set valid goals for every meeting so you are utilizing your time effectively. When the meeting doesn't serve a useful purpose then there's little reason to organise one.
As an example, filing for meeting for the sole reason for validating decisions that have been completely made is a complete waste of time. If a meeting has a clearly defined purpose and outcomes that can be measured then it can be worth arranging one.
Running Efficient and Effective Meetings: Have a Plan
Running efficient and effective meetings is another matter of having a plan. Prior to going into a meeting make sure you use a clear plan of what you would like to accomplish. Also be sure that everyone gets to have their say and conclude the ending up in an action plan that's deadlines. You have to be sure that everyone knows what they've to complete through when.
Running Efficient and Effective Meetings: Flexibility
One downside to group meetings is the fact that often they conflict with normal operations. For instance, certain organisations only ensure decisions in the course of meetings which are scheduled once per week. This can often mean a protracted delay on decisions that are necessary quickly and also the result might be substantial loss of revenue.
Running Efficient and Effective Meetings: Time Management
Likewise, some meetings tend to run on and develop into serious time wasters. Because of this, it is essential for effective time management that you keep meetings as short as it can be. They must be of sufficient length to pay for your agenda although not such a long time that you go over it 3 times.
One fashion to ensure meetings do not operate on is as simple as holding them standing up. If all the participants in the achieving are standing up, it provides each meeting an expression of urgency and will also have an improved chance of being brief and to the issue.
The ultimate secret to running efficient and effective meetings in addition to excellent time management is to minimise the number of meetings you hold. This will be where function comes in again, so make sure that you, as the meeting leader, are certain the achieving is required and has a goal that cannot be attained in any other way.