[Ohio-talk] Why Meeting Agendas Are Important

[richard]

Why Meeting Agendas Are Important

Despite all that's been written on how to make meetings more effective, we
continue to be amazed at the number of otherwise competent executives who
ad-lib when it comes to organizing their business meetings. 

A simple meeting agenda, distributed in advance, is perhaps the most
important tool in ensuring a successful productive meeting, even when the
meeting is between only you and one other person.  Here's why:

Agendas Set The Right Tone:  Meeting agendas let participants know that
there's a legitimate business purpose for meeting, with specific issues to
be discussed and outcomes to be achieved.  It conveys your interest in
getting down to business and not wasting time.     

Agendas Identify Topics For Discussion:  Agendas let attendees know what
issues are going to be discussed, and keep them from placing other issues on
the table.  They also eliminate guesswork as to whether or not a particular
issue is going to be discussed.

Agendas Keep Everyone Focused:  Meeting agendas can focus participants in
ways that verbal guidance cannot.  Participants have a written reminder of
what needs to be accomplished during the meeting, allowing them to help
drive each discussion toward conclusion.    

Agendas Eliminate Excuses:  Agendas eliminate excuses that participants
aren't ready to discuss a subject because they didn't know it was going to
be brought up.  Participants are put on notice of exactly what they need to
prepare, saving time and eliminating embarrassment.    

If you can't personally create a meeting agenda for the meetings you
convene, at least delegate that responsibility to one of the participants
(that way, you'll get all of the benefits of having an agenda without having
to do the work!).