A business meeting allows coworkers to collaborate on important issues. The majority of the time, a facilitator will facilitate the meeting. They can be scheduled to address urgent issues that can’t be resolved via email or quick chat, as for discussing a long-term strategy for a division or project.
A good meeting starts with a clear agenda and well-prepared attendees. In addition to defining the intended outcome of each item on the agenda, it’s useful to assign responsibilities and set a deadline for completion. This will ensure that the objectives of the meeting are fulfilled.
It is also essential to limit the number of attendees in particular if the gathering is time-sensitive or requires critical input from a particular group. A large number of participants can result in unproductive discussions, and unneeded revisions. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos once advised that any business gathering should not include more people than “two pizzas can serve”.
During the meeting, it is important to encourage active participation and an open dialogue. It is also essential to solicit the assistance of a notetaker in capturing the most important ideas, decisions and actions items to be later distributed. The notetaker should make sure to attribute any comments or contributions to the appropriate participants so that any disagreements can be resolved quickly.
A great meeting ends by resummarizing the main takeaways and outlining any tasks that remain. Next steps are also confirmed. It’s also helpful to offer the opportunity to answer any clarifications and questions. The organizer is able to thank everyone for their contributions and reaffirm the importance of collaboration and effective communication.
