Copyright © 2006 Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr.
Success
Shortcut 2 Success
http://www.Shortcut2Success.com
Oh no, not another meeting request! We all dread
the meeting invitation, not because of the content, but because
a majority of meetings we have to attend are so poorly run. You
know a good productive meeting vs. the unstructured, why am I
here, one. Do not let the next meeting you hold or attend be poorly
executed. You have the ability to hold a productive meeting and
influence a poorly run meeting headed in the right direction by
implementing a basic strategy.
Establishing your basic meeting strategy allows
you to hold and attend effective meetings, yes even if someone
else is leading the effort. The only difference is, as an attendee
you may have to tactfully ask appropriate questions when the situation
warrants, of the team leader, sponsor or facilitator on a key
point during the meeting. Be aware of your audience and also who
is running the meeting, too much of a push can focus the attention
on you and detract from the meeting purpose. Just mentor the meeting
along it my point.
Your basic meeting strategy should include the
following elements:
- Establish and be able the articulate the purpose for holding
the meeting.
- Identify the desired outputs for the meeting, or what you
want to accomplish.
- Present an agenda by key topics to be addressed and estimated
duration.
- Identify someone to take meeting notes or minutes for you.
- Control comments or discussions that are off topic by focusing
on your purpose and but allowing comments to be captured in
the minutes for review at a later time.
- Stick to your agenda and time schedule if possible.
- If required, establish set a follow on time and date to meet
again.
- Ask if there are questions?
- Wrap up a meeting with a summary of accomplishments against
your purpose and cover any open items.
Obviously there are more steps involved if a
meeting is in support of a larger team project or more complicated
effort. However, I think this basic strategy will form a foundation
for you to hold productive meetings and influence meetings you
attend.
As our time becomes more compressed, influencing
the environment around you can and will provide benefits to you
in the long run. Remember, your success depends upon how effective
you are in continuously improving yourself and those around you.
NBA
Benefit Provider - Sir
Speedy
NBA
Resource Article - Public
Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats
NBA
Resource Article - 6
Steps To Effective Management During Change
Reprint
of this article does not constitute an endorsement by the National
Business Association; the article is for informational purposes
for our members and viewers of our Web site.
