Business Class

>>Business meetings can be an effective way to get things done, but if they are not handled properly, they can be an expensive waste of time. They can also indicate whether someone has good manners, and good manners equal good business.

To make the most of your meetings, from the routine variety to corporate retreats, consider the following:

Set an agenda. If you’re planning the meeting, distribute an agenda ahead of time. That will help everyone come prepared.

Schedule carefully. It’s respectful to consider the timing and day of week for your meeting. For example, Friday afternoons are typically the worst for meetings. (Think: weekend.)

Be on time. A general manager I greatly respect has instilled a saying in his staff: “If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.” This goes for the organizer and the attendees. I can tell you, it works. Rarely are any of his 70 leaders late for his weekly staff meetings, and, of course, he’s never late.

Keep to the allotted time. If the meeting is scheduled for one hour, everyone involved should follow the schedule, watch the timing and stay on topic. Don’t rush the meeting or continuously look at your watch; this could suggest that you’re bored or would rather be elsewhere. If you’re going to be rushed for time, decline the meeting invitation.

Turn off cell phones. It’s OK to answer your cell phone only if you tell the person you’re meeting with—before the meeting starts—that you’re expecting an important phone call.

Take notes and follow up. Rarely is someone invited to a meeting to simply listen. Show consideration and good work judgment by taking notes and following up after the meeting. 

If you take others into consideration before planning or attending meetings, everyone will benefit from your good manners. That’s what I call meeting success.