There's been a long held view that meetings are pointless wastes of time where nothing gets achieved and are just a bludge.
WRONG!!!
Meetings can be extremely effective when controlled, and have set goals and agendas that are adhered to. It's all a matter of what you're actually looking to achieve.
At Cliftons, we have a team meeting in each of our offices EVERY DAY. That's right EVERY DAY!!
Each day except Tuesday our team drops everything at 9:09 for a stand up meeting. We stand up to make sure no-one gets comfortable and drags it out. It only lasts about 5 minutes. We go around the circle three times and everyone speaks each time.
- First time around, the question is what are you working on? This is work that's in progress.
- Second time, the question is what will you get done today? Here it should be specific. "I'll get Blogger & Co 100% done, Explorer Trust 80% done". Makes the team think strategically about what they're up to.
- Third time, are you stuck? If anyone is stuck, it gets dealt with after the meeting. Issues that arise should be taken offline (that is, outside the meeting after it ends).
Really simple stuff.
The team become accountable to each other, and if they're saying the same thing a number of days in a row someone pulls them up on why
A client of ours, already in a high performing business, took this meeting concept to his team with immediate success. He then took it to the National conference of the franchise to rousing approval. IT WORKS!
On Tuesday, we have a team meeting that goes for no more than 30 minutes. Again , there's an agenda;
- Good News - can be work or personal, and from anyone
- Workflow update and any issues
- Monthly targets and how we're going
- Work to be completed this month
- Learning & Sharing
Oh, and to answer the question I'm sure you're asking - why are the daily meetings 9:09? People remember them, and will be diligent when they're not on the hour or half hour.
Give it a proper try; you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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