Throughout your commercial career you will attend a lot of meetings!

Some meetings are more productive than others and it all comes down to the way that the meeting is set up and run.

We’ve all attended meetings that have been a complete waste of time where everyone “talks a good game” but no action actually comes from it!

In this textbook we’ll cover the main key considerations, skills and approaches to make sure that the meetings that you run are focused, outcome orientated and focused on getting action.

Throughout your commercial career you will attend a lot of meetings!

Some meetings are more productive than others and it all comes down to the way that the meeting is set up and run.

We’ve all attended meetings that have been a complete waste of time where everyone “talks a good game” but no action actually comes from it!

In this textbook we’ll cover the main key considerations, skills and approaches to make sure that the meetings that you run are focused, outcome orientated and focused on getting action.

Sean McPheat, the Founder and Managing Director of management development specialists, MTD Training is the author of this publication. Sean has been featured on CNN, BBC, ITV, on numerous radio stations and has contributed to many newspapers. He’s been featured in over 250 different publications as a thought leader within the management development and training industry.

MTD has been working with a wide variety of clients (both large and small) in the UK and internationally for several years.

MTD specialise in providing:

• In-house, tailor made management training courses (1-5 days duration)

• Open courses (Delivered throughout the UK at various locations)

• Management & leadership development programmes (From 5 days to 2 years)

• Corporate and executive coaching (With senior or middle managers)

MTD provide a wide range of management training courses and programmes that enable new and experienced managers to maximise their potential by gaining or refining their management and leadership skills.

Our team of highly skilled and experienced trainers and consultants have all had distinguished careers in senior management roles and bring with them a wealth of practical experience to each course. At MTD Training we will design and deliver a solution that suits your specific needs addressing the issues and requirements from your training brief that best fits your culture, learning style and ways of working.

Our programmes are delivered when and where you need them! We believe that training should be fun, highly interactive and provide “real world” practical techniques and methods that you can use back in the office – and that’s exactly what we provide.

Preface

1. Introduction
1.1 Overview of the Ebook
1.2 Why Are You Holding a Meeting?
1.3 Scheduling the Meeting
1.4 The Meeting Agenda
1.5 Before the Meeting
1.6 General Operations During the Meeting
1.7 Basic Communication Skills for Meetings
1.8 Working Effectively in Meetings
1.9 After the Meeting

2. Why Are You Holding a Meeting?
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Meeting’s Objective
2.3. Is a Meeting Necessary?
2.4 Who Should Come to the Meeting?

3. Scheduling the Meeting
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Common Problems When Scheduling a Meeting
3.3 Tips for Scheduling a Meeting

4. The Meeting Agenda
4.1 Introduction
4.2 The Agenda Format
4.3 How to Use the Agenda

5. Before the Meeting
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Meeting Location
5.3 Seating Arrangement
5.4 Meeting Preparation

6. General Operations During the Meeting
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Laying the Ground Rules
6.3 Running the Meeting

7. Basic Communication Skills for Meetings
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Verbal vs. Non-verbal Communication
7.3 Listening Skills
7.4 Interpersonal Skills

8. Working Effectively in a Meeting
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Problem Solving Skills
8.3 Persuasion Skills
8.4 Brainstorming
8.5 Fishbone Diagrams
8.6 Managing Conflict in a Meeting

9. After the Meeting
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Get Feedback
9.3 Prepare and Send Meeting Summary
9.4 Follow Up on Tasks

References