5 tips for effective 30 min meetings!

I have been amazed at what could be achieved in 30 minute meetings.

In this article I would like to share my 5 tips that will help you run very effective and productive 30 min meetings.

Tip #1 — Don’t set up a meeting — Try to see if your objective can be achieved by leveraging other channels (i.e) live group chats or thru traditional channels like email. Look at this as an opportunity to exercise your written communication skills!. The objective of your communication needs to be clearly stated along with required supporting material in a very concise and easily digestible form. I know what you are thinking, not all scenarios lend itself to this type of approach.

If you decide a meeting is absolutely required then keep reading on…

Tip #2 — Prepare, prepare and over prepare ahead of the meeting — Writing down the subject line is very important. It’s worth spending a few min to craft a good subject line to make the objective of the meeting very clear to your participants. Collect all types of communication leading up to this meeting (i.e) prior email threads, meeting notes and other reference documents and summarize that same or use it for quick references during the meeting. I understand that as the organizer it will be a lot of effort on your part and will need more of your time. Trust me, it’s worth it, you will soon realize that the more prepared you are the more time you will save for all the participants involved, trust me they will thank you and will be excited to show up for your meetings.

Tip #3 — You have only 30 min so every minute counts — Check off and make sure you have acceptance from all participants and ensure you have buy-in that they will show up on time (this becomes easier once you manage to build this culture within your organization).

Tip #4 — Don’t feel guilty about ending meeting early — If your objective is achieved then end the meeting right away. Just because you have 30 min does not mean you need to use all of it.

Tip #5 — If you think I am crazy for proposing this, then go try it yourself

Would love to hear from my readers on their experience conducting very effective meetings!