Meeting Management

Organizing and delivery an effective and well-thought-out meeting agenda is important to your brand. Flow, form, and function are critical factors to success here.

Running a meeting that flows well is like a well-oiled machine. Leading a meeting that does not flow well can be painful to both the audience and the one delivering the presentation. It is very easy to be side-tracked or appear confused when the flow of a meeting is interrupted by pauses, stuttering, or the use of the word ‘um’. One can look or sound very discombobulated. It simply does not work for anyone.

Form of a meeting is importantly to its ease of delivery. Should it be in person, via conference call, via video, or any combination thereof? If the background and the lighting are not easy on the eyes, do not offer a video conference. The telephone can mask many unsightly things, be aware of the surroundings and shield yourself and your recipients from the cat, the dog, or the dark furniture that may resemble a funeral home. In person meetings are becoming common, once again. Take advantage of this and invite clients, vendors, colleagues to your chosen meeting place. Face to face meetings can be very effective in winning business.

The function of a well-run meeting depicts its purpose. Make sure your meeting has an appropriate context. If invitees or attendees are left wondering why you called the meeting, or what was its purpose, your brand could be negatively impacted. If there is a sense of accomplishment at the end, success has been achieved. Comments like ‘I learned so much’, ‘this was very helpful’, or ‘thank you for organizing this’ are a confirmation the meeting was worthwhile and productive.

Next time you feel the need to call a meeting, make sure your flow, form, and function are aligned. A flawless presentation of your firm, and its offerings, can be showcased through the properly executed management of the meeting.

Be well.