Make meetings count

llflEErINGS! How many times lUlhave you sat through a meeting wondering why you were there or, even worse, what it was all about? As a manager, you can make your meetings relevant.

Always ask yourself "Is this meeting necessary?" before summoning your employees or fellow workers is the advice of Jack Falvey, a management consultant.

Few managers understand the dynamics of meetings which he defines as the place to ratify and build on decisions already made, not as "an arena for hammering out policies in a group grope environment."

Meetings must have objectives and each participant must be made aware of the objectives and his role in accomplishing them.

Agendas are essential for worthwhile, productive meetings, but the agenda must be a meticulous plan with advance copies sent to those scheduled to attend the session. Without preparation, it is impossible for those attending to participate efficiently.

"If your last stop before going into a meeting is at the photocopier to run off your agenda, stop right there and either cancel or reschedule the gathering," Falvey says. "What rational manager would undertake a business trip on the spur of the moment without an itinerary or prearranged appointments and a set of