• Posted by: Staff Editor
• In: Business Professional

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Picture this—you are in a meeting and sitting across the table from a coworker that has his head down, clearly not paying attention to what is going on in the room. Instead, he is sitting with his hands under the table responding to email messages on his Blackberry, while another participant’s cell phone begins to ring. Surely you are not the only person that has experienced these distractions in meetings and it clearly won’t be your last.

Beyond.com, a network of more than 15,000 online niche career communities polled its members to ask “What behavior do you find bothersome when attending a business meeting?” Out of more than 2,300 poll respondents, business professionals noted that cell phone interrupters was most bothersome with 50.08%, followed by domineering personalities (22.41%), people who never contribute (17.53%) and blackberry checkers (9.97%).



New technologies provide faster and easier ways for people to connect and conduct business than ever before. However, these technologies can also cause workplace distractions and interruptions that, with a little effort, can often times be minimized. Located below are a few simple tips on how to conduct an efficient and productive meeting.

• Set Expectations
  When scheduling a meeting, it is important to set expectations by including an agenda with the meeting request. Attendees can prepare ahead of time and add the most value to your meeting.
  
• Lead by Example
  Before starting a meeting, be sure to turn off your cell phone or Blackberry (or set to vibrate) in front of the group and instruct others to do the same. Explain it is a way to maximize everyone’s time, stay on track and eliminate any unnecessary distractions.
  
• Level the Playing Field
  With any meeting, you will have some participants that are domineering and outspoken, and others that do not contribute or speak up at all. To level the playing field, you can consider incorporating round-table discussions whereby each participant is required to provide their views and insights on the topic at hand to encourage equal participation and add the most value to your meeting.
  
• Stay Focused
  During a meeting, it is easy for conversations to take a different path, which can lead to unproductive meetings. When this occurs, it is ok to say “Let’s take this offline” and proceed with the agenda. If it is a larger meeting, you may even consider a facilitator to lead the meeting on your behalf. If it is a short meeting, you can also use a “standing meeting” approach where all attendees remain standing until the meeting concludes.
  
• Don’t Forget to Recap
  Before your meeting is officially concluded, always recap any “take-aways” so that everyone knows who is responsible for which follow-ups and set appropriate timelines. It is also important to ensure that you review the agenda to be sure that you have covered all necessary topics and have achieved the purpose of the meeting.

By following these few simple tips, you will be sure to conduct an efficient and productive meeting which will encourage future participation by your co-workers. For more information on career-related tips and resources, visit our Career Resources for more information.