This step becomes difficult for less tangible results, such as exchanging information in staff meetings or making some policy decisions. In those cases, estimate value by comparing outcomes with their potential costs. For example, does it make sense to spend ten thousand dollars on exchanging information in a staff meeting or is five hundred dollars more appropriate?

3) Determine return on your investment (ROI) by comparing value versus cost.

ROI = Value - Cost

If this analysis predicts a loss, either revise meeting’s scope or cancel it. After all, a meeting, like any project, must earn a profit.

In addition, a profitable meeting will be an effective meeting.

Writing goals also provides important benefits. It allows you to consider, explore, and discard possibilities. And then you can show goals to others to obtain their comments and suggestions.

Asking for help preparing goals is especially useful when working on complex or controversial issues. Now you can 1) use their comments to refine goals, 2) win support for your goals by including others in their development, 3) gain information on issues related to goals, 4) uncover issues that may conflict with goals, and 5) develop strategies for achieving goals.

Once you complete goals for your meeting, put them on agenda. That helps everyone focus on your purpose for meeting. And it significantly increases your chances of ending with results that you wanted.