Creating A Business Agenda

Having a thorough agenda is imperative if you want to conduct productive business meetings. Going in without a clear purpose and direction will result in long, fruitless gatherings. An agenda, along with meeting minutes will put you in a position to be efficient and have good records for the future. Here are a few keys to putting together an agenda that will result in a successful business meeting.

1. Plan ahead of time, a week preferably
   Give yourself time to check all attendees schedule, make edits and updates, gather data, and do any necessary research.
2. Draft Meeting Agenda
   Write up the initial draft of your agenda. After determining the date, time, and attendees you can start ironing out the details. Three base areas that should be included your draft are (1) follow-up (from the last meeting), (2) current meeting objectives, (3) new business (goals moving forward), (4) and notes. Here is 1 of the meeting templates I use for the think tank I'm a part of below. It's concise and to the point. I have a few sections added based on our direction. What's important is that you fill in the necessary details to give it direction.
   
3. Seek input
   Seek input from some of the other attendees. There may be something you are overlooking that needs to be discussed and in many cases, it's good to get some an
   outside opinion
4. Review and finalize the agenda 1 day prior to meeting
   Many any necessary edits to the agenda and send out the final version along with a reminder of scheduled time to attendees through whatever medium you all communicate through. Also, send 1 reminder the day of.
5. Prepare for meeting
   Give yourself at least an hour prior to the meeting for review. Nine times out of ten when I do review I find something that can be removed, or needs to be updated.

I hope this post helps you be more productive at your next meeting of the minds.