About Jason Jennings

Jason Jennings is a researcher and one of the most successful and prolific business and leadership authors in the world, and his greatest thrill is helping lead individuals and companies to their full economic potential. He began his career as a radio and television reporter and was the youngest radio station group owner in the nation. Later, he founded Jennings-McGlothlin & Company, a consulting firm that became the world’s largest media consultancy and his legendary programming and sales strategies are credited with revolutionizing many parts of the broadcasting industry.

Many meetings can seem like colossal wastes of time, but they don’t have to be. Make meetings something you and your team can look forward to. Here are some helpful ways to get the most out of your next meeting.

Set a Clearly Defined Agenda
One of the most critical aspects of meetings is having a well-defined agenda. Poorly defined meeting plans lead to disorganized, frenetic and frustrating meetings. This can result in employees not only dreading these get-togethers, but also failing to take anything away from them as well. A clearly defined agenda allows employees to know what to expect, allowing them to prepare.

Celebrate Something
Meetings can have a negative connotation for employees. They may seem redundant, frustrating, or scary. Always try to celebrate something in your meetings. Whether they be employee milestones or anniversaries, team successes, or even new technological implementations, celebrating successes – no matter how small – are a great way to show employees that they are appreciated. In fact, a study found that 83-percent of employees found their role more fulfilling if they were rewarded with recognition for their work.

Use the “Parking Lot” to Manage Off-Topic Ideas
What exactly is the “parking lot”? Put simply, the parking lot is a helpful tool for keeping meetings on the topic, while at the same time acknowledging the need to cover issues which aren’t on the agenda but may still require attention. When an employee raises an issue or topic of discussion in a meeting that may not be relevant to what’s being discussed, tell them that you’ll place it in the parking lot. Then, when sending minutes or a report of the meeting, you can open these issues up for digital discussion or possibly plan another meeting to deal with this, or other relevant topics.

Always End with an Action Plan
What is the point of a meeting if you don’t solve a problem, or come up with a plan? End every meeting with a detailed understanding of what will come next, including who is responsible for what and when you can expect these issues to be resolved and implemented.

To Learn more about Jason contact [email protected]

Derek Sweeney is the Director of Speaker Ideas at The Sweeney Agency. www.thesweeneyagency.com. For 15 years Derek has been helping clients find the right Speakers for their events. Derek can be reached at 1-866-727-7555 or [email protected]