How to Have Fewer Meetings & Accomplish More

MSAE's Young Professionals Networking Group met to discuss how to have fewer meetings and accomplish more.  The meeting dialogue was based off the book, "Read This Before Our Next Meeting" by Al Pittampalli.

What are the likes and dislikes of meetings?
Likes: decisions are made, collaboration, communication and continuity
Dislikes: too many people, repetitive, information is just being shared and many others

Ask yourself what do meetings cost. For example take the number of employees in your staff meeting times an average hourly wage to get a total.  Is your organization getting that amount or more out of that staff meeting?

Meetings are for:
1. Brainstorming
2. Decisions
3. Coordination

The Modern Meeting Agenda includes:
Topic, date, meeting location and time.

In addition, there is a meeting leader and decision owner.  Let those you send the agenda out to know what decision you will be talking about.

List which attendees you would like to be present. If any names listed don't feel they have anything to contribute, they wouldn't attend.

Include items you want attendees to read or review before the meeting. If they do not do so, ask them to leave the meeting.

State your objective.  What support or coordination are you looking for.

Tell attendees what is at state.  List the who and what your decision is going to impact.

Lastly, include any background information that may be important to the meeting.

After the meeting send out a memo.  This memo will include final thoughts and decisions.

Resources:
"Read This Before Our Next Meeting" - Al Pittampalli