21. class="MsoPlainText"> Meetings are very common nowadays. They can be weekly, monthly or annually. Some people think most meetings feel like a waste of time. They seem pointless and boring at times.
Then how do you run an effective meeting?
First, assign roles, such as greeter, timekeeper and note taker, so that you, the organizer, can be free to lead discussions and presentations.
Next, take charge from the start. Everyone will listen to you and join your discussion if you take charge in every aspect of the meeting. Show everyone that you really know what you are talking about, and everything that you talk about is useful.
Most important of all, follow the agenda. At the end of the meeting, spend a little extra time for the participants to discuss anything that needs to be immediately discussed but which may not have been on the agenda.
Always ask the participants questions to speak their minds and keep them interested. Remember that a good meeting is a two-way communication. Be open to everyone’s opinion, ideas, and suggestions. Don’t forget to thank them for the ideas they present.
And finally, close the meeting with everyone knowing what is expected of them and what they should do for the following weeks. Then, send out meeting minutes within a few days, while everyone still remembers the points.