Time Management - How to Have Productive Meetings

The agenda is circulated the day before which means the managers have little time to prepare.

The meeting always starts late as the CEO will wait for latecomers. In fact, he's often late.

A couple of the managers tend to "waffle on". The CEO who chairs the meeting is not assertive enough to keep them on track.. He's also a 'waffler'.

Most of the managers sit there, bored out of their brains for a majority of the time. They also get stressed as they feel they are wasting time listening to the "wafflers".

As the CEO does not schedule a regular "catch up" time with each individual manager, many unnecessary issues are also discussed.

If this describes some of the meetings you convene then how about taking action and ensure from now on that they are highly productive.

Ask yourself, is this meeting really necessary?

Do you need a face-face meeting? A phone call, email or conference call might be a better solution.

Invite as few people as possible

Only have the necessary participants attend.

Have a written agenda with clear objectives

Ensure it is circulated well in advance to those attending. Indicate timeframes allowed to discuss each item.

Double check the meeting venue has been organised the day before

If refreshments are supplied include water and fruit. Ensure the meeting area is quiet with no distractions.

Start and finish on time

Respect your time and everyone else's.

Have an effective chairperson

Unsure who to choose? At the beginning of the meeting count up to three. At three, each participant points to the person they believe will keep the meeting on track.. The person with the most votes is elected.

Circulate the minutes within 48 hours

Ensure all actions have the appropriate person written next to them.

Stand up and stretch every 30 minutes

It's good for your mind and body.

Ensure all mobile phones and pagers are turned off

It's amazing - people have been known to survive without their phones and live to tell the tale.