Troy Fernandez says as your career advances you will organize more meetings, so learn how to create an outline for your meetings because business meetings can be time wasters if there isn’t focus and preparation. I’ve held meetings and been in meetings in the past that should have lasted 20 minutes, but lasted for 2 hours. Here are 12 steps to conduct an effective business meeting:
1. Create an agenda
2. Invite only the necessary individuals
3. Keep items or issues to be discussed to a maximum of 3 to 5.
4. Distribute agenda a day before the meeting
5. Summarize purpose and goals of meeting
6. Be prepared with notes
7. Meetings should be no longer than 30 to 40 minutes.
8. Expect 100% participation from everyone on all topics, otherwise cut meeting short and reschedule.
9. Appoint someone to take notes
10. Review discussion, solutions and assignments before meeting concludes
11. Set deadline or schedule next meeting
12. Provide a summation of meeting to attendees via email
