Staff meetings can be so routine that you forget to plan appropriately for them and then end up not getting the most out of these gatherings. Meetings can be a waste of everyone’s time if you’re not careful. As a business owner, this is what you want to avoid.
Learn four ways to improve your next staff meeting so that you can achieve more and feel good about what unfolds. There’s always room for improvement but you have to be willing to make this initiative a priority and then put forth the effort to change your ways and habits. You’ll discover that you achieve your goals quicker and your employees are happier when you apply these tips.
1. Spend More Time on the Agenda
Improve your next staff meeting and make them more productive by spending enough time preparing the agenda. Think through in detail what you want to discuss and cover. Stick to a few main points instead of trying to address too much in the allotted time frame. Prepare the meeting agenda in advance and know which people are going to cover which pieces of information. Send the agenda out in advance so everyone knows what to expect and what will be talked about. Most importantly, be on time and end on time.
2. Surprise & Delight
Another way to improve your next staff meeting is to surprise and delight your employees and ensure they look forward to attending. Make time for icebreakers and to have some fun. Maybe it’s that you provide lunch for your staff or hand out Promotional Branded Clothing they can keep and wear. While meetings are often used to discuss serious topics, that doesn’t mean you can’t also use them as a way to build team camaraderie and find ways to strengthen your company culture and the relationships between your staff.
3. Set up the Right Environment
First, consider if the meeting needs to be in person or if you can accomplish what you need over email or a video call. If you find you need to hold a meeting in person, then make sure you set up the right environment for it, especially if you’re hosting a brainstorming session. Choose the ideal conference room or space, move the tables and chairs around as you find necessary, and make sure there’s plenty of good lighting. Have the technology and equipment you need to run an effective meeting readily available as well. You want there to be plenty of space for everyone to sit, and so that everyone can see what you’re presenting.
4. Allow the Opportunity for Feedback
One of the best ways to improve your next meeting is to focus on what you can do better in the future. Therefore, always allow the opportunity for feedback and input on the matter. Gather advice about what went well and anything that should be modified for next time. Checking in will make sure everyone has a voice and feels heard which will help you make changes to how you approach meetings so that you can get more out of them.
