RULE 5

. . . No, really effective

Right, now you’re sure this meeting is necessary, and what it’s for, let’s keep it as brief and effective as possible.

Hold all meetings at the end of the day rather than at the beginning. Everyone’s anxious to be off home and it keeps meetings shorter; at the beginning of the day everyone has ages to digress and chat. Unless of course it is a bonding meeting; you can cheerfully hold them at the beginning of business.

See how many meetings you could hold by e-mail, phone, one-to-one (cut out everyone who isn’t absolutely essential).

Start all meetings on time. Never wait for anyone. Never go back over stuff for latecomers. If they’ve missed something vital they can get it from others after the meeting and it’ll ...

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