We've all been in bad meetings. No meeting minutes or notes, no set agenda, the guy who talks to much, gal who never stays on topic...etc. Here is a list of our meeting 'Villains' and how to stop them! Check out our site at http://www.lessmeeting.com for great tips!

1. MEETING
VILLAINS
The meeting world is full of Villains.
You know who they are, the meetings they
attend, and the time they waste. Here’s
Less Meeting’s guide to fighting back!
MEETING HOG
PROBLEM
The hog is always talking. Whether they actually have a point, or if it’s
an appropriate time means nothing to the Meeting Hog. If they have
something to say, by George, they are going to say it.
SOLUTION
Set specific topics with a time schedule in advance, so that everyone
(including the hog) knows EXACTLY what needs to get done in the
allocated time.
MEET-HEAD
PROBLEM
Want to have a meeting!? This guy schedules meetings just to talk
about the next meeting.
SOLUTION
Remember, meetings are for discussion, not status updates. Will a
quick email, phone call or IM work instead?
HOLD-UP
PROBLEM
Every time the meeting is ready to begin, you’re always waiting on that one person. When they finally show-up, the flow
of the meeting is completely lost.
SOLUTION
Begin starting meetings on time, every time. Once they start
missing valuable information and tasks, they won’t want to
fall behind again. Food is always an incentive to show up
MEETING HIJACKER
PROBLEM
You set up a meeting to discuss some new plans you have.
This person shows up and starts talking about something
completely different and takes up all of your valuable time.
SOLUTION
Challenge the hijacker on how the topic relates to the current
meeting. Politely mention that if there is time left over, you’re
more than happy to discuss their agenda.
MISS AGENDA-LESS
PROBLEM
Ever have a meeting where you weren’t entirely sure what it was
even about? Everyone sits quietly, not knowing where the discussion is going to go next. This meeting is guaranteed to run long,
and nothing actually gets done.
SOLUTION
Assign tasks and topics in advance, so that everyone has time to
prepare answers and tackle the necessary steps before they ever
step foot inside the conference room.