Circulate an agenda - An agenda should show the planned steps that get the meeting from “here” to “there.” It helps the participants prepare appropriately and anticipate the kind of information they might need to produce. It especially useful for non native speakers because you can prepare and during meeting and can be let you know what topic is discussed especially if agenda detailed. Usually non native speakers understand written message better then verbal.
Effective meeting preparation:
- What is the purpose of the meeting?
- Do we need a meeting or are there other ways to accomplish the goal? (E-mail, 1-2-1 conversation)
- Are the potential benefits worth the cost of the meeting?
- Is this the right time for the meeting?
- What will happen if you don't have a meeting?
No electronic grazing. Period. - Phones off. Blackberries left back in the cube. You're either at the meeting or you're not at the meeting, and few things are more distracting or disruptive than the guy who has to check his damned email every five minutes or phone ring.
Detailed meeting notes very helpful when it's hard to understand all the content of meeting. Read it after meeting; ask colleagues what you did not understand.