How to run a Business Meeting.

How to run a Business Meeting.
A meeting should have a purpose, a reason.
It’s more than just a chat, or a catch up.
You’re pulling people together, they're investing their time, so you want to make the most of it.

Before the Meeting.

• Invite people to attend

• Advise the reason for meeting

• Set a clear start time

• Send Agenda of items to be discussed

• Note ‘Other Business’ after the key items

• Advise any prep work which needs to be done

• Attach any supporting material.

Running the Meeting.

• Start on time, do not wait for late comers

• Quick welcome and thank everyone for coming

• Recap purpose of meeting

• Indicate target finish time

• Ask if any Other Business to be added to Agenda

• Work through the Agenda

• Provide update on the status of any Action Items from last meeting, if relevant

As Chairman, your role is to keep discussion focused

• If things go off topic, your role is to bring back on point

• Identify a Resolution, or ‘Action Item’ for each point discussed

• Make a note of ‘By Whom’ and ‘By When’

• Conclude with an Action Plan, recap key items.

Having a structure keeps your meetings sharp and focused, and allows everyone to get value out of them.