How to make your business meetings more productive
Photo by Christina Morillo
Do you feel like your business meetings are unproductive? Unfortunately, a lot of people feel that way. In fact, a study by The Economist found that American businesses lose 37 billion dollars annually due to unproductive meetings. That’s a lot of money! So what can we do to make our meetings more productive?
Choose a proper location
If you’re meeting with clients, ensure the space is professional and comfortable. If you’re meeting with employees, make sure the space is big enough for everyone to sit comfortably or stand. The key here is to make sure that everyone involved in the meeting feels comfortable. That way, they’ll be more likely to engage in productive discussion. Another important factor to consider when choosing a meeting location is noise level. You want to make sure that your meeting space is relatively quiet so that everyone can hear each other clearly.
If you’re not sure where to hold your next business meeting, check out CCT Venues’ inspiring meeting rooms, where you’re sure to find the perfect space for your needs.
Invest in the use of technology
One way to make your business meetings more productive is to invest in the use of technology. This can help you save time by allowing you to share documents and presentations electronically, as well as communicate with other participants via video conferencing or chat features. Another benefit of using technology is that it can help you keep better track of meeting minutes and action items. A variety of software programs and apps available can help with this, so consider investing in one that will work best for your needs.
When you choose technology for your business meetings, it’s important to make sure that everyone who needs to be involved has the proper equipment and access. By taking care of these details ahead of time, you can avoid any technical issues that could interfere with productivity during the meeting itself.
Set a clear agenda
One of the best ways to make your business meetings more productive is to set a clear agenda ahead of time. This will help everyone involved know what to expect from the meeting and come prepared with any questions or comments they might have. It’s also a good idea to send out the agenda in advance so that everyone has time to review it and prepare for the discussion.
When setting an agenda, be sure to leave some time for open discussion at the end of the meeting. This will allow people to share any thoughts or ideas they may not have had a chance to bring up during the main discussion.
Keep it short and sweet
Nobody likes a long, drawn-out meeting. In fact, studies have shown that people’s attention spans tend to decline after about 20 minutes. So when you’re planning your business meetings, make sure to keep them relatively short. If you can accomplish everything you need to in an hour or less, that’s even better.
Of course, there will be times when a longer meeting is necessary. But in general, try to keep things as concise as possible. You’ll find that people are more likely to stay focused and engaged if they know the meeting won’t last all day.
Business meetings are an important part of keeping any company running smoothly. Remember these few tips when planning your next meeting, and you’re sure to see an improvement in productivity.
