A meeting’s ONLY requirement is that it causes action.
But most don’t. They are just boring Talking Shops.
So here’s how to ensure your meetings always cause action.
#1 before the meeting, create an Actions Table
- Before the meeting, create a three column Actions Table
- The column headings are WHO/WHAT/WHEN
- So, WHO will do WHAT action, by WHEN?
- Have this blank table open, ready to complete during the meeting
#2 during the meeting, complete the Actions Table
- At the end of each agenda item – before moving to the next item – ask “what are our actions from that previous item?”
- Write each item’s action in the table – who is doing what, by when
- New row for each new action
- Write it now – during the meeting
- That way, as you finish your meeting, you have a completed table, confirming all the actions
#3 immediately after the meeting, send the Actions Table
- Because you’ve completed the table, you can immediately send it to all attendees
#4 Just before meeting #2, re-send meeting #1’s actions
- 1-2 days before your next meeting, contact everyone, reminding them of the actions – attaching the Actions Table
- Maybe add a comment that, if they haven’t done them yet, to get on with it!
It does not have to be the meeting’s owner who creates the table. You can delegate it.
But as long as someone completes it during the meeting – and then shares it immediately – actions should happen.
Which, as we agreed above, is a meeting’s ONLY requirement.
Worth a go?
Action Point
For your next meeting, follow these four simple steps. It’s as simple and as difficult as that!