John Adair's 100 Greatest Ideas for Personal Success

Idea 82: Managing meetings

Meetings are an inescapable part of corporate or social enterprise. Resolve to run them in a time-effective way. Begin by distinguishing between the five different kinds or purposes of meeting (Idea 81).

Becoming more cost-conscious about meetings will help you to be economical with time. Check if any given meeting is really necessary and ensure that people don't waste their time attending meetings if their presence is not required.

Time spent on planning the meeting will repay itself tenfold. Work out the agenda carefully, allotting time for each item.

Clear, concise and definite minutes are necessary. Although not always essential, they should normally make reference to who is to do what by when and with a deadline ...