Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an effective meeting. But an agenda that consists of a list of nouns, such as budget, software, and picnic, is useless. Heres how to prepare a real agenda that puts you in control of the meeting.

1) Goal. Every real agenda begins with a goal that describes the result wanted at the end of the meeting, such as: find a way to reduce travel costs by 10%. Ideally, this goal should be stated so clearly that someone else could use it to design a meeting that achieved the result.

2) Outcome. This describes the benefit of achieving the goal, and thus tells why you are holding the meeting. For example, the benefit of reducing travel costs might be that you will keep spending within budget.

3) Activities. This provides a blueprint (or set of instructions) for the meeting. Ideally, this contains descriptions of the group activities that will help you and the participants achieve your goal for the meeting. Support this list with an estimated time budget for each activity.

4) Assignments. Tell the participants how to prepare for the meeting (e.g. survey your department for travel costs during the last quarter). Also, tell them what they need to bring (e.g., bring a copy of the budget). Prepared participants make a meeting more efficient and more effective.

5) Logistics. Provide basic information on when and where you will hold the meeting. If participants are coming from other offices, be sure to include directions and maps. In general, provide all the information that people need so that they can perform at their best.

The small amount of time required to prepare a real agenda will help you hold shorter, more effective meetings.

Steve Kaye

Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an Certified Professional Facilitator (with the International Association of Facilitators), author, and speaker.

Since 1992 his innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. Clients include Avery Dennison, IBM, and Unocal.

His workshop topics include:

* One Great Meeting - How to plan and conduct meetings that produce results others will support

* The Human Side of Communication - How to win trust, earn respect, and establish rapport

* Winning Words - How to design and deliver presentations that inspire and impress people

* Behavior Styles - How to get along with others

As a meeting facilitator, he helps people obtain results that they could not obtain by working on their own. Read about examples on his web site.

He is the author of:

* The Manager's Pocket Guide to Effective Meetings

* Meetings in an Hour or Less

* 117 Tips for Effective Meetings

With a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and 20 years of experience working for major corporations, Steve specializes in working with engineers, scientists, and high tech professionals.

Call 714-528-1300 or visit his web site for over 130 pages of information (including program details, client guides, FAQs, cartoons, and more).