Page 189 - Becoming a Successful Manager

180 BUILDING ON YOUR FOUNDATION

Conducting Meetings

Though short and productive is exactly what both planners and par-
ticipants strive for, most business meetings are just the opposite. The
reasons for this are numerous. However, you increase your chances
of success if you have prepared appropriately as described previ-
ously. The challenge now is conducting the meeting correctly.
To help guarantee the effort will be productive and informa-
tive, before the session gets under way, reiterate what you plan
to accomplish. This enables everyone to get organized and helps
keep the proceedings on target and on track. All members of the
group will be better equipped to participate in both the discus-
sions and the solutions, and that compounded strength will be a
resource for you and them.
Throughout the meeting, use everyone’s time well—it’s expen-
sive. Time is a nonrenewable commodity; when it’s gone, it’s gone.
To use time well, you have to plan each meeting. You also have to
sharpen your time-management skills. If you have planned and
prepared well, you need only to make sure you stay on course. One
secret to success during a meeting is making sure all interactions
or discussions are tied to one of those goals. If they are not, cut
them short. There is nothing more destructive in a meeting than
allowing someone to rant on a tangent that is not applicable, posi-
tive, or productive. So, in the interest of problem solving, weed
maintenance, and constructive criticism, stop them as respectfully
as you can and move on.

Effi cient

Efficiency is achieving your goals and objectives using a reason-
able number of resources. How do you know you have been effi -
cient? Listen and ask questions.