Meeting Tips Summary

Don't Meet.

     Avoid a meeting if the same information could be covered in a memo,
e-mail or brief report.

Set Objectives for the Meeting.

    Before planning the agenda, determine the objective of the meeting.
The more concrete your objectives, the more focused your agenda will be.


Provide an Agenda Beforehand.

   Your agenda needs to include a one-sentence description of the meeting
objectives, a list of the topics to be covered and a list stating who will address
each topic for how long. Follow the agenda closely during the meeting.


Assign Meeting Preparation.

   Give all participants something to prepare for the meeting, and that meeting
will take on a new significance to each group member.


Assign Action Items.

   Don't finish any discussion in the meeting without deciding how to act on it.


Examine Your Meeting Process.

   Don't leave the meeting without assessing what took place and making
a plan to improve the next meeting.