Champ Suthipongchai, a General Partner at Creative Ventures, a Deep Tech venture capital firm, discusses the inefficiency of meetings in today’s workplace. A survey by Atlassian found that meetings are ineffective 72% of the time. This is a common issue for startups and corporates, especially those with remote teams. Suthipongchai provides tips on how to run effective meetings that do not waste the team’s time.
The first step to running an effective meeting is to understand the purpose of the meeting. Whether it is for brainstorming, debating, or decision-making, it is important to have a clear objective in mind. Brainstorming meetings can be the least effective, but they are essential for gathering new ideas. Discussion meetings allow for input from team members before making a decision. Decision-making meetings are crucial for converging on a decision and explaining the rationale to all stakeholders, building trust and promoting an effective team dynamic.
Building an agenda that makes sense is another key aspect of running effective meetings. While an agenda alone does not guarantee an efficient meeting, it helps to work toward the meeting’s objective. Preparing for a meeting is crucial for larger group settings. For brainstorming meetings, creating an atmosphere conducive to idea generation can be done by assigning a mini-task and having attendees share their ideas ahead of the meeting. Debating meetings require defining decision-making criteria and allowing insights to form new ideas. Decision-making involves coming up with well-thought-out decision criteria and making a rational decision based on available information.
Effective meetings honor time and do not waste it. Regardless of whether a meeting is held in person or remotely, having a clearly defined objective and agenda is essential for making the most of everyone’s time. Committing to preparation work and making this approach a standard across the team can lead to more productive meetings. By following these tips, meetings can become more efficient and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.
Forbes Business Council, an organization for business owners and leaders, offers growth opportunities and networking for qualified individuals. Suthipongchai’s insights on running effective meetings provide valuable advice for teams looking to improve their meeting practices and make better use of their time. By focusing on the purpose of the meeting, building a logical agenda, and honoring everyone’s time, teams can enhance their communication, decision-making, and overall productivity.
