Meetings can provide a good opportunity to make important decisions, update those involved in a project or develop new ideas together. Read on to find out how these meetings can be made more productive.

1. Limit the length of a meeting to between 30 and 45 minutes – any longer and people will find it increasingly difficult to concentrate and pay attention.
2. Arrange business meals instead of normal meetings – this allows you to use eating time productively and automatically limits the length of the meeting to the length of the meal.
3. If a meeting takes place regularly, those taking part should be asked to submit points for the agenda. If no one submits any points, the meeting can then be cancelled. 
4. A fixed amount of time should be set aside for each point on the agenda. The person chairing the discussion is then responsible for observing these time limits.
5. If the agenda for the meeting is sent out in good time, everyone will be able to prepare for the meeting in advance.
6. If a point on the agenda cannot be dealt with properly as important people or information is missing, you should move straight on to the next point.
7. Individuals at the meeting should be given the job of preparing the outstanding point in such a way that it can be discussed during the next meeting.

Source

Robert Half Finance & Accounting Corporate Service Center Central Europe Rosental 3-4 80331 München www.roberthalf.de