Planning a Business Meeting
Are you planning a business meeting? If you’ve ever sat through a disorganized and unfocused business meeting, you know how frustrating it can be. Instead of getting work done, you’re just watching the minutes tick away, thinking of all the other things you could be doing. Thankfully, there’s a simple solution – planning.
Planning a business meeting is kind of like drawing a map.
It’s setting out what you hope to achieve, who should be there to help you reach that destination, when and where it will take place, and what the route should look like.
Purpose and Goals: Why are we here?
To kick-start your planning, you first need to pin down why the meeting is necessary. Are you looking to make an important decision? Or is it more of a brainstorming session for a new project? Having a clear idea of the meeting’s purpose will help everyone understand what’s expected of them.
Attendees: Who needs to be there?
Not every person in your team needs to attend every meeting. Think about who is going to bring value to the conversation, who will help make decisions, and who the meeting outcomes will directly affect.
Time and Place: When and where are we meeting?
A no-brainer maybe, but it’s important. Choose a time that works best for everyone’s schedules. As for the location, pick somewhere quiet, comfortable, and equipped with everything you need for a successful meeting.
Agenda: What’s the plan?
By creating a clear, detailed agenda, you help keep the meeting focused and prevent any off-topic rambles. Be realistic about how much can be accomplished within the allocated time and avoid overloading the agenda. Share the agenda with participants in advance so everyone can prepare accordingly.
Roles and Responsibilities: Who’s doing what?
Just like in a movie, everyone has a role to play in your meeting. Assign roles based on everyone’s strengths and skills, whether it’s leading the discussion or capturing the meeting minutes. By involving participants in this way, you not only distribute the workload but also create a sense of ownership and accountability.
Materials: What do we need?
You don’t want to be wasting precious meeting time looking for documents or dealing with technical hitches. Distribute all the relevant materials in advance and make sure everyone knows what technology or equipment will be used.
To ensure that technology is not a hindrance during the meeting, plan a check of all equipment beforehand. Test audio and video connections, ensure that screens or projectors are functioning properly, and have backup options available in case of any technical issues. It is also helpful to have someone on hand who is familiar with the technology and can troubleshoot if needed.
Comfort:
No one can focus for hours on end without a break, right? Make sure your attendees are comfortable by providing refreshments and organizing suitable breaks. This will help everyone stay sharp and contribute their best to the meeting. Perhaps consider an environment where there are green spaces for participants to refresh in between. These small gestures can go a long way in creating a positive environment for productive discussions.
Planning a business meeting. Follow-up: What’s next?
And lastly, after your meeting, it’s a good idea to follow up with the participants and assess how the meeting went. This allows you to see what worked and what didn’t, helping you to plan your business meetings in the future.
Well-organized meetings can result in quicker decisions, improved collaboration, and more motivated employees. So, take the necessary steps to plan your next business meeting effectively and reap the rewards of a productive and impactful gathering. It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but with the right preparation, your next business meeting can be productive, efficient, and maybe even enjoyable!
Here at Christ’s College, we have excellent conference facilities, in the heart of historic Cambridge.
Our meeting and dining rooms can accommodate all types of events from small gatherings, to large conferences and summer schools, making us the perfect choice for your next event.
We are accredited by MIA (Meetings in Industry) an assurance of excellence.
Our dedicated team of staff recently won a 4-Star Visit England AA campus award and were awarded Gold Bid Award for Best Overall Customer Experience 2022 – University B&B. You can be sure of a warm welcome.
Cambridge has a Purple Flag Award. This is given to cities judged to be safe and vibrant places to enjoy a night out.
To find out more about our conferences, summer schools, functions, and events visit: christscollegeconference.co.uk or email.
