Goal: A clear description of results expected by end of meeting, such as a decision, agreement, or solution.

Outcome: The reason (or benefit) for achieving goal.

Activities: A detailed list of activities that will be used in meeting. This should be so complete that someone else could use it to lead your meeting.

Logistics: Everything that participants need to know to contribute to an effective meeting. This can include directions to meeting room, instructions on how to prepare, and a list of things to bring.

A complete agenda will help you hold effective meetings.

There are two parts to every learning experience. The first part involves mastering new skills. The second (and critical) part involves choosing to use them.

Key Point: You can be an effective leader even when others aren’t.

3) Some people play make-believe. Many years ago I received an evening phone call from a colleague who wanted to know if I could recommend a good book on how to hold effective meetings. It seems this person was scrambling to find material for a workshop that was scheduled to start next morning.

You will learn more from an expert, rather than from someone who is delivering a book report. In this case, I recommended either of two books that I had written on how to hold effective meetings.

Many companies hire trainers who build training programs based on books that they read. And some entrepreneurs agree to speak on topics that are purely academic for them. The best trainers ARE message, which means that they live and breathe and use what they teach. They can answer any questions, meet any needs, help with any situations that participants may bring up. They truly know their topic.

Key Point: Hire a trainer who wrote book instead of one who (you hope) read a book.

Any training program can succeed, if delivered to people who want to improve by an expert who can show them how.