We all attend too many.  This is a given.

Most communication that occurs in meetings falls into 5 classifications:

• Requests
• Promises
• Information Sharing
• Sharing personal news
• Debating, decision making, point proving

But only two types of meeting communications are valuable:

1. Requests – When you need something from a meeting participant, be clear and precise.  Your request should include full details and a deadline
2. Promises – These are commitments made by a person to fulfill requests.  That is why specificity is critical.  As the meeting leader, your follow-up is to define the requests, promises and timing. One record for executing against the promises

Here is how Google runs a meeting.  They are a pretty good company – http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-run-a-meeting-like-google-2010-1

And a look at Apple’s process.  They make pretty good stuff – http://www.fastcodesign.com/1669936/meetings-are-a-skill-you-can-master-and-steve-jobs-taught-me-how

As for the other three communication types, they are still important, but use e-mail, the water cooler or other interactions for them.

Stop accepting mediocrity and wasting time.  Take action now.  You, your calendar and your clients will be much happier.

Webman