We’ve witnessed a few meetings recently that have been inefficient, ineffective and in some cases detrimental to the business that was holding them.

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Some of those meetings could have been saved by good planning, some by good process, others by better facilitation, and one or two by not happening at all. Here’s a quick check-list from the archives to help you to have better, more productive, motivating and worthwhile meetings.  Let us know how you get on.

Why

• Why have a meeting at all?
• Objective?

What

• What do we need to know before we can start?
• What information needs to be circulated?
• What needs finding out?
• What do we need to present to bring everyone up to speed on the subject?
• What needs to be on the agenda?

Who

• Who should attend?
• Who needs to receive the minutes?
• Who will fulfil what roles during the meeting?

When

• Why have it now?
• Do we need lead time to prepare?
• Are there any deadlines?
• What time of day and day of the week?
• When will it end

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Where

• Home, neutral or away territory?
• Formal or informal location – boardroom or lunchroom?
• Interruptible or private setting?

How

• Formal or informal?  Workshop?  Brainstorming? Facilitated?
• How long will it take?
• Is there to be a hard stop time?