Meetings are an effective way to get information across, discussing issues, solving problems, and many other reasons. As good as they are, not many people like them, likely because of boring and pointless meetings.

Don’t let your meetings turn into a time that employees disconnect and squeeze in a quick nap. By utilizing proper techniques and tricks, you’ll be able to have an effective and efficient meeting that employees don’t mind attending. Use the following five tips by reviews for Global Resources for effective meetings.

Always Have an Agenda

When you walk into a meeting, you want to know that there’s a purpose for it. If you have a busy day and sit in a three-hour meeting that has no point, you’ll likely leave frustrated and defeated. Don’t do the same to everyone else.

Each meeting you call needs a purpose. Set the schedule ahead of time so you can let everyone know right at the start of what will be discussed. Whether it’s written on a whiteboard, emailed ahead of time, or hand out an agenda at the beginning, make sure the purpose is stated.

Have a Timeline

Part of your agenda should include a timeline. This isn’t to say that you’ve mapped out each minute of the meeting. Instead, it gives a precise starting time and ends time. If you can’t put an end time to the meeting, then go back and revamp your agenda a bit more. Having that clear end time helps keep you on track and reaching the goal of the meeting.

Remember, in the business world, time is money.

Make a note of Off-Topic Discussions

In almost every meeting you hold or attend, you will have off-topic discussions. If you have a notebook with you to make a note of anything that comes up that isn’t part of your agenda, you can talk about it at the end of the next meeting. This will help keep the meeting flowing rather than jumping from topic to topic. Plus, acknowledging the topic and letting the person know you’ll discuss it at the end shows that you value what the person has to say.

Does it Need to Be a Meeting?

Before you call your meeting, make a rough outline of what you want to discuss. After that, ask yourself if the discussion is worth gathering everyone for a meeting, or would it be more suitable to send us an email? If the conversation is only for a few minutes, maybe an email will suffice. However, if it’s something longer with vital information to discuss, the meeting would be better suited than an email.

Encourage Engagement

No one wants to sit in a meeting that is dictated by one person and no one else. How can anyone expect engagement if it’s done that way?

Instead, encourage engagement from the attendees. Ask them questions, allow people to speak up, facilitate discussions on topic, and make a note of everything discussed. By getting everyone involved in the discussion, you’ll increase your chance of having not just a successful meeting, but a memorable one as well.

Turn your meetings into a place of productivity. Use the above points to stay focused, on topic, and lead a successful meeting.