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Conclusion

Who should Attend
In this booklet, we have tried to cover the key issue of running effective meetings and to encourage
you to consider the way you do things. Preparation is central to ensuring success, and at least as much
time should be spent on this phase as the meeting itself. The time and effort spent in preparing the
agenda, prioritising items and allocating time, and in preparing relevant materials, will help to ensure
that the event fulfils its purpose. Similarly, conducting the meeting so that discussion is focused and so
that members are actively encouraged to contribute will make it possible to conduct business
efficiently and for members to feel a real sense of involvement in the process. Actions taken after the
meeting are also important in making sure that others are kept informed and that agreed actions are
actually going according to plan. Finally, setting the right conditions for meetings should not be over‐
looked. The impact of noise, interruptions, discomfort and just too many people present can reduce
the potential effectiveness.
By trying to improve your preparation, conduct, follow‐up action and meeting conditions, you will be
going some considerable way to making your meetings worth the time they consume.

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