Let’s talk 07885 197 364
CoachSME-logo-shirley-mansfield
Book a 30 Minute
Introduction Meeting
Book a 30 Minute
Introduction Meeting
Book a 30 Minute
Introduction Meeting

Why Meetings Need Planning

Last updated March 30, 2021
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Do you plan your meetings?

Perhaps you just turn up and hope they have a good outcome? When I worked in corporate life, I was amazed how many meetings I had to attend that didn’t have a good outcome. Half the time I didn’t even need to be there.

Wasted time always follows poor planning. A one hour meeting with 14 attendees is the equivalent to 2 days lost production so, if they are organising or attending a meeting make sure its valuable to the business.

You know what I’m going to say… do the planning!

Meeting planning is just as important as sales planning or business planning. Zero planning means wasted time, effort, money and added frustration!  Don’t forget, if you are an attendee do your planning before turning up.

My top tips for planning effective & efficient meetings:

  • Have a clear purpose /goal / objective to the meeting. What are you deciding?
  • Is a meeting really necessary? Can a decision be made another way?
  • Who absolutely must attend because their contribution is crucial? Don’t invite ‘nice to attends’.
  • Start on time and finish early.
  • Set a short time limit 15 or 30 minutes.
  • Circulate pre-reading in plenty of time. Then everyone knows what to expect. Have an agenda – state the outcome of the meeting. That helps them get ‘in the zone’ before they walk into the room or join a Zoom call.
  • Assign a note taker and timekeeper. Sometimes a neutral chair will keep you on track so you can focus on running the meeting.
  • If you are on Zoom (or similar) insist on camera on and sound mute. Make use of hand raise.
  • Be mindful of introverts who might need to be encouraged to share, make it easy for them to participate. Carefully silence the loud ones who love the sound of their own voice.
  • Make the decision, assign actions and follow up.
  • Communicate to non-attendees who may be impacted.

I guarantee that if you pre plan your internal meeting you’ll save hours and hours of time.

Don't forget to give external meetings the same degree of planning. Do you need to be there and what value can you add or take away?

shirley-mansfield-CoachSME
Shirley Mansfield
Master Business Problem Solver

When you’re ready here are three ways I can help you build your business:

1. Follow me on X / LinkedIn and let me know the business challenges keeping you awake at night that you want to solve. Click here to email. Connect with me, The Business Planning Coach on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Grab a copy of my book The Grown-Up Business (paperback and Kindle). Get the tools and inspiration you need to go to the next level of wealth.

3. Work with me on your growth business to overcome the blockages, hurdles & problems that are holding you back. Join the community, email me with Let’s Get Started in the subject line or book a 30 Discovery Meeting using Calendly

READ THE BOOK

“If you run a business, then buy this book. Not tomorrow, today!”
~ Sam Carpenter Work The System

© 2024 CoachSME and Shirley Mansfield


Website design by Pegu Design
book
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram