Hold the Donuts

Hold the Donuts

We all hate meetings, especially when the meeting doesn't give us the outcome we want. Too often, it is only an excuse for donuts and coffee, and to be honest, they aren't a very productive use of time either.

Utilizing tools to make your meeting more effective can make all the difference between another boring, fruitless meeting and the next step to getting things done around your office.

1. First things first: Have a purpose for the meeting. A meeting that is simply a standing get-together can become an excuse to avoid work. If there is not a point and an expected outcome to the meeting, don't bother. Everyone in business has time demands, and no one has a spare hour to kill on a wasted opportunity to resolve issues and make progress. Skip the donuts; nobody needs the calories anyway!

2. Have an agenda. Circulate the agenda before hand, and then stick to it during the meeting.

3. Use a 'parking lot' for off-topic issues, ideas and problems. You can always come back to the other topic when the time is right and the correct people are available. Stick to your guns when managing meeting time, and stick to the agenda.

4. Be on time and hold everyone to that same expectation. Use tools (peer pressure is great) to influence everyone to show up on time.

5. Be prepared and arrive familiar with the topics to be covered. Know what you want to say, what you need (and expect) as an outcome, and be the best example you can to help other participants do the same.

6. Participate, but don't hog the spotlight. Everyone invited to the meeting should have a reason to be there, and should have a chance to express themselves.

7. Be polite. Even though we all think we are the very example of professional deportment, we all need a reminder occasionally; pay attention, even when you aren't the one talking. Wait for others to finish speaking before adding your "two cents" worth. Be tough on the issues, but respectful of your colleagues. Don't start sidebar conversations. Mute your phone.

Give as good as you get, and everyone will profit from the time spent together. Following these few rules will make all meetings a lot more productive in 2012, and nobody will really miss the donuts!