Keeping Meetings on Track

Factoring in the cost of time (let alone in China where I often have to ask what someone meant) and travel multiplied by the number of participants, meetings are expensive. One of the many things I'm thankful for at least internally is that we get some productive discussion and that staff aren't so afraid of me that they remain silent throughout (discussion for another day).

I've been listening to an audio seminar called "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and it has been quite invaluable with innumerable "aha" moments. One of his tips has been to always start meetings off stating what that meeting is supposed to accomplish and before the meeting ends, establish specific next action steps.