Have you ever left a meeting thinking you wasted your time? With everyone having jam-packed schedules, it’s frustrating to attend a meeting which accomplishes nothing … other than wasting your time.
If you have a way to influence how a meeting is run, then consider these 5 tips to run efficient meetings.
1- Identify Priorities: Every year, identify top priorities to accomplish. Keep this list short – no more than 3 priorities. Use this list as your focal point during meetings.
2- Use An Agenda: Run meetings using an agenda. Follow the same agenda format for every meeting. Consider listing your priorities at the top of each agenda. Before each meeting, send out the agenda and ask members to submit additional items if necessary. Be mindful of having too much on your agenda – allow time for discussion.
3- Table Items: Table items that require more discussion if you are short on time. In this way, you respect everyone’s time by starting and ending on time. If items keep being tabled, develop a sub-committee to explore and recommend options.
4- Delegate Tasks: Assign someone to take minutes and to track time. By delegating these two tasks, you can stay focused on moving through the agenda. Ask the timekeeper to notify the group 15 minutes before the target meeting end time.
5- Build Relationships: Schedule time for building relationships – whether that’s time before the meeting as members grab snacks or schedule one meeting a year offsite for members to socialize. We become so focused on our task at hand we forget the people side. Many people on your team may be on other teams later in your career. It’s important to take time to build relationships. You never know, it may come in handy when you’re tackling a tough problem.
By focusing on these 5 tips, you will run efficient meetings … and you won’t have team members thinking they wasted their time. Please share with us other tips you follow to run efficient meetings.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Niv Persaud, CFP®, CDFA™, CRPC®, is the Founder of Transition Planning & Guidance, LLC. Her firm bridges the gap between financial planning and coaching. As a Transition Consultant, she offers sage advice in all aspects of life – financial, personal and professional. Niv does not manage money and does not sell financial products. Her services include spending plan development, divorce financial review, life strategy and professional progression. Niv actively gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts. She believes in living life to the fullest by cherishing friendships, enjoying the beauty of nature and laughing often — even at herself. Her favorite quote is by Erma Bombeck, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me’.”