Top Seven Tips for Business Meetings

Business meetings can be a great communication tool and perfect opportunity to demonstrate your skills in the workplace when executed properly. Here are our top seven tips for success, whether you are planning the meeting or attending.

Be prepared.

Have the agenda, a notebook and pen, business cards and any other documents you may need ready. Determine what you can do beforehand to be ready to join in on the discussion.

Be conscientious of your image.

Being clean and neat in your appearance and with your materials is an absolute must.

Be punctual. Arrive on time.

Try your best not to arrive more than a few minutes early, so you do not interrupt any last minute preparations. At all costs don't arrive late to the meeting. Sometimes being late is unavoidable. If you're going to be late, let someone know as soon as possible. A call or text to the organizer is best. When you do enter, be as unobtrusive as possible. If a formal presentation is going on, you may want to wait until there is a break to slip into the room.

Turn off smartphones, pagers, and watch timers.

Be sure to convey that the meeting is your top priority by turning off anything that might be distracting to you or others in the meeting.

Keep a positive attitude.

When differences of opinion arise, try to address these contradictions in the most positive way possible.

Participate.

Make sure to be a good listener and maintain focus. Convey your engagement with tone of voice and eye contact.

Follow-up.

If you are the organizer of the meeting, be sure to follow-up with a to do list for the other meeting participants. This will ensure that your expectations and schedule are clear. If you are an attendee, ensure that you are clear on your assignments and follow through on those assignments.

For information on Emily Post Business Etiquette Programs contact Steven Puettner, Director of Sales, at Steven@emilypost.com or 802-860-1814.