How to Run a Good Meeting

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There is an art and science to hosting an effective meeting. Here’s 3 key tips to keep in mind:

Set the Agenda:

A key component of a well-run meeting is making sure everyone is on the same page. An agenda which list the main topics of discussion should be provided to all participants. You can send this agenda out with the meeting invite so that folks are prepared to discuss the minute then enter the room. An agenda also acts as a roadmap, you can use this to guide the group back to the original intent of the meeting if the convo goes off topic.

Timing is Everything

Having a definitive start and end time to a meeting is vital. This helps ensure that you accomplish what’s on your agenda and folks are spending their time in a productive manner.

Take Notes and Make an Action Plan

If you’re directing the meeting, it’s important to take notes about the key topics discussed, actions items decided on, and who is responsible for each task. This action plan should be sent out at the end of the meeting to ensure everyone is on the same page. Microsoft Word and Google Doc both have templates which can be used for this.