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Advice from the women of Connect: Professional Women’s Network

Meeting Makeovers: How to Rally Your Team

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Send an agenda in advance. It sounds basic, but it is often overlooked. An agenda helps set expectations, ensures that the right people are in attendance with the right information, and helps you manage time during the meeting.

Dawn McAvoyMarketing and

Communications Executive

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Less is more. The more people you have in meetings, the higher the likelihood that agenda items go off topic. I try to stick with inviting no more than five people; three is better. If you absolutely need more people, then divide the meeting into smaller chunks. Phoebe Bryant

Program Manager at JPMorgan Chase

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Make it a catered gourmet brown bag lunch. Hungry people are agitated, they’re bad listeners and they count off the minutes until the meeting is over. Offering food shows that you value their time. Plus, food always creates a community feel.Elizbeth Best

Urban, Specialty, and Community Lifestyle Retail

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When the discussion starts to stray, redirect the conversation by saying, "That's a great idea. Let's move it to “new business” so we can get back on track with the agenda." If the meeting is almost over, you can add the topic to the next meeting's agenda.Pamela E. Heywood

Partner Program Channel Specialist

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Make sure meeting notes are sent out in a timely fashion. If action items are assigned, review them before you wrap up, making sure each item has an owner and due date. Follow up on action items and hold people accountable.

Janet SalaSenior Director,

Engineering

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Our team is reading Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni. He explains that you need to bring in drama and conflict. People are often fearful of bringing issues to the forefront, so encourage them to do so. He compares meetings to movies: without conflict/drama and an exciting beginning, you won't be drawn in.

Dawn HargerCustomer Success

Team Manager

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FLICKR PHOTO CREDITS:Slide 1: Derek TamSlide 2: The Beach SaintSlide 3: James CridlandSlide 4: Renee S. Suen Slide 5: Scott KinmartinSlide 6: Phil Roeder

Join the conversation!Connect: Professional Women’s Network, Powered by Citi, is an online community on LinkedIn that helps women achieve the careers they want and discuss the issues relevant to their success.

For more great insights from Connect members, check out the discussion: Do you have any tips to make meetings better?

Visit linkedin.com/womenconnect for more information and to join the group!

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