The document discusses strategies for effectively conducting business meetings. It recommends: 1) Preparing the meeting by identifying the reason, approach, outcome, and providing an agenda in advance. 2) Managing the discussion by staying on topic, creating a comfortable atmosphere, and parking off-topic issues. 3) Identifying decisions or action plans by clearly recording them, announcing action items, and ensuring participants know their responsibilities. The goal is to avoid wasting time and money on unproductive meetings and instead use meetings as a powerful business tool by properly planning and conducting them.

1. Developing
Management Skills
“My five minutes bell”
Oscar Javier García
Dávalos

2. Remember that…
 “Meetings can be time suckers, and if
nothing gets accomplished during them,
frustration may ensue. Not only does a
company waste valuable time and money
conducting business meetings that don't
produce results but employees will begin to
loathe attending these functions”.
Entrepreneur

3. What is the best strategy to ensure
that a business meeting can effectively
achieve its goals?
1. Prepare the meeting.
2. Manage the discussion.
3. Identify decisions or action plans.

4. 1. Prepare the meeting
 Clearly identify the reason for the meeting,
the approach that will be taken, and the
anticipated outcome. Do this in the
meeting invitation or the agenda.
 The agenda should be provided to all
participants far enough in advance for
them to review.
 Make sure each participant has a specific
reason to be there and make sure they
know it.
 Schedule times for topics or speakers.

5. 2. Manage the discussion
 Make sure you stay on topic.
 Create a friendly atmosphere where
everyone feels comfortable expressing
their opinions.
 Whenever discussion gets off-topic, stop it
and tell the participants that you are
parking the issue. Use a whiteboard or
pad board to write it down.
 Be vigilant about shutting the meeting
down when it’s time to do it.

6. 3. Identify decisions or action
plans
 Clearly record decisions or action items.
Do this on a white board in the room so
everyone participating can see.
 At the end of every meeting, there should
be an announcement of action items that
emerged from the discussion.
 If you invited the right people, then each
person will leave the meeting knowing
exactly what they are supposed to do
next.

7. Don’t waste time and money!
 “Meetings aren’t social gatherings.
Instead, they are goal-oriented
business events”.
Neil Patel – Forbes Contributor
 “Meetings can be the most powerful tool
in the success of your business.
However, like any tool, you can only
fully reap the benefits when you use it
properly”.
Charlie Harary – Entrepreneur Contributor

8. Sources of Information
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2013/1
0/17/8-ways-to-cure-dysfunctional-business-
meetings/
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/neilpatel/2015/04/1
6/my-6-techniques-for-running-successful-
meetings/
 http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237690
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2013/
03/01/5-simple-steps-to-more-efficient-
effective-meetings/