The Effective Meeting

Running head: THE EFFECTIVE MEETING

The Effective Meeting

ABSTRACT

When we walk into a company meeting, what do we typically expect? Some would answer the company party line with no real information or honest exchange of ideas. Perhaps we expect to see people pretending to listen actively. Or do we expect our organizational meetings to be consistently imaginative, inspiring, and powerfully productive? A necessary tool in the arsenal of any successful business whether it’s small and family run, or a powerfully megalithic corporate entity, is indeed the meeting. But are these meetings always successful? Do we always accomplish the goals ultimately desired? Despite the timeless stigma of the stereotypical and often humorous image of the dreaded boardroom meeting, there are many ways in which to successfully conduct a productive yet stimulating meeting with a much greater outcome for success.

More often than not, we mistakenly lose our aim while focusing on what we may think is important to our meeting. This may result in a disastrous example of wasted time, energy and effort. In the following review we will attempt to discuss the benefits of having a successful meeting, the ways to achieve one and the importance of timely follow-ups.

One of the most common complaints heard from most workers is that their mandatory meetings “stink” – as they’re often too lengthy, too impersonal and predictable. Organizational issues such as the lack of “buy-in” toward the said company’s goal/ vision, low morale and cynicism, office politics and employee infighting often are traced directly back to the very quality of such face-to-face encounters. Though more technological tools are available today that ever before, business meetings are often unsuccessful because the meetings aren’t generally necessary. It is important to analyze and distinguish whether the meeting is first truly necessary, or if your goal is to simply relay your message and information. Many times...