Part 1 Business protocol is the following of proper procedure and conduct in professional settings that fosters relationship-building and collaboration, and the positive cultivation or you or your company's professional brand and image here is a protocol that determines priority of meeting procedures. Takes priority over all other business and can be raised at any time during the meeting. Order a count of voting members present, then give your ruling. Standing orders for meetings Timing. ... Notice. ... Members. ... Agenda. ... Motions. ... Chair. ... Business meeting etiquette is important because we are all busy and all have a lot to get done. Working closely with the same group of people in a short span of time requires a balance in participation combined with common courtesies so that people are comfortable and content and can focus on the work at hand Etiquette Rules For Meetings That Every Professional Should Know Be on time. ... Make introductions. ... Have a strong agenda. ... Sit appropriately. ... Speak up. ... Understand the unwritten speaking rules. ... Do not have your phone out. ... You can drink coffee, but you need permission for anything else. For business and professional meetings, introductions should always include: Each person's first and last name. The company or department they represent. ... Current location (for remote attendees) ... Why they're at the meeting. ... Related: The Essential Project Kickoff Meeting Agenda Do you often find yourself frustrated or demotivated when you see a meeting reminder pop-up in your calendar? This is a common feeling, faced by millions of people every day. After all, we spend so much time in meetings and most of us would agree that we often feel that they are a waste of time or at least, distracting us from important work. With that in mind, today I am going to outline some of the common problems faced in meetings and give you some tips on how they can be overcome. Holding meetings unnecessarily The first issue faced by many organisations is that people are calling meetings when they are not necessary. This means that people are being taken away from their work when they should be working on something else. If you are interested in seeing how to decide whether you should call a meeting or not, A lack of planning The next problem that is often seen with meetings are that they are poorly planned. Poorly planned meetings can mean a number of things. For example, no goals, or desired outcomes, no appropriate agenda or no time or thought given to the process and the timing Inviting spectators There is nothing more frustrating than being in a meeting and thinking to yourself, “What am I doing here?” A meeting should only have the attendees necessary, those who have a role to play and need to participate. If someone doesn’t have to be there, then they shouldn’t be invited. Late starts When a meeting starts late, then the probability of success is decreased. In fact, even if a meeting meets all of its objectives, but still started late, this will affect the overall satisfaction of the attendees. Therefore, never arrive late to a meeting, run your meetings to a schedule and respect other people’s time. Going over time Another huge problem today, are meetings that seem to go on forever. This has a huge negative affect on the day of those who attend. Maybe someone has another meeting later in the day and as a result, the next meeting also starts late and goes over time Documentation Having the necessary documentation before and during the meeting is another problem that can negatively affect the success of any meeting. If you don’t have the relevant data or information, then you are unable to prepare. If you don’t have this information during a meeting, it can mean that you are not able to make decisions No outcomes Have you ever been in a meeting where nothing actually gets decided or happens? There are no next steps? There are no tasks or deadlines. You leave the meeting feeling confused about what was the point of the meeting. Meetings with no clear and transparent goals are a recipe for disaster. All meetings need to have clear goals, if not, then there may not be a real reason to meet. Knowing what to say Participating in meetings and feeling comfortable are essential. A huge problem in meetings where English is spoken, is often related to the fact that people are not sure what language to use, or what to say at the right times. These issues can range from answering questions, clarifying information or understanding requirements. Not listening Have you ever found yourself daydreaming in a meeting? Or maybe you are thinking about what you want to say, instead of listening to the person in front of you. Being an effective listener and first trying to understand before being understood is essential to being a better meeting attendee. Not having effective follow up Finally, not following-up after a meeting is a real problem. This simple task can lead to much better outcomes for the organisation. Make sure you check in with any guests who attended, ensure that everyone is clear on what was agreed and make sure people are aware of any deadlines Final thoughts I am sure you agree that these are common issues faced by many organisations. Meetings are a great opportunity to create, problem solve, lead and inspire. Unfortunately, they are all too often wasted opportunities and a huge drain on company resources and productivity. .
