Five Rules for Effective Meetings

1. Distribute an agenda at least one day in advance; encourage people to add new items to the agenda prior to the meeting.
2. Set time for the meeting; begin and end on time.
3. Stick with the agenda and the targeted functions: (a) make decisions, (b) foster internal changes, (c) exchange ideas and experiences, (d) disseminate information, (e) respond to external changes, and (f) develop teamwork. Allow time for discussion but stay on the topic.
   
4. Invite people to voice their options. Silence does not necessarily mean consent.
5. Record decisions and action assignments, preferably in a way that allows everybody to see them on a big screen. Summarize the action list at the end of the meeting. Review the action list for completion at the next meeting.

By MIT Tips...