Maximize Your Meetings

Meetings are a critical aspect of any business, serving as a platform for communication, collaboration, and decision-making. However, not all meetings are created equal. Some meetings are productive, while others are a waste of time. To make the most out of your meetings and ensure that they are productive and efficient, here are some proven strategies that you can implement:

• Define the purpose of every meeting.
  Firstly, is the meeting a necessity, or can an email with a screen share walkthrough work instead? If a meeting is necessary, then ask the following questions:
• What problem are you trying to solve? 
• What decisions need to be made? 
• What information needs to be shared? 

Before scheduling a meeting, it's essential to define its purpose and objectives. This information will help you determine who needs to attend the meeting, what needs to be discussed, and how long the meeting should last.

• Invite the right people to each meeting.
  Make sure that only people who need to be there are invited, and that everyone who should attend is included. This will help ensure that the meeting is focused and productive without wasting anyone’s extremely valuable time.
  
  
• Prepare for your meetings with an agenda.
  Before the meeting, prepare an agenda that includes the purpose of the meeting, what needs to be discussed, and who will lead each discussion. This will help keep the meeting organized and on track.
  
  
• Put a hard stop on your meetings.
  Meetings have a tendency to drag on, so it's important to set a time limit for the meeting. This will help keep the meeting focused and ensure that everyone stays on task. You may want to even set a time limit for each part of the agenda to make sure that each section gets its appropriate time. You don’t want to waste your meeting time on 20 minutes of chit-chat.
  
  
• Reinforce meeting collaboration.
  Ask for the meeting participants’ opinions and ideas. Give everyone a chance to speak. This will help the meeting be collaborative and all attendees feel valued.
  
  
• Follow-up meetings with next steps.
  After the meeting, make sure to follow up with all attendees. Send out minutes of the meeting, and make sure that everyone is clear on the next steps. 

By implementing these strategies, you can maximize your meetings and ensure that they are productive, efficient, and achieve their intended goals. Regularly reviewing and improving your meeting practices will not only save time and increase productivity but also create a culture of collaboration and communication within your business. Look at your current meeting practices and consider how these tips can make your meetings more efficient, purposeful, and intentional.