Running Effective Meetings: Establishing an Objective and Sticking to It

• Priorities – what absolutely must be covered?
• Results – what do you need to accomplish at the meeting?
• Participants – who needs to attend the meeting for it to be successful?
• Sequence – in what order will you cover the topics?
• Timing – how much time will spend on each topic?
• Date and time – when will the meeting take place?
• Place – where will the meeting take place?

...to ensure maximum satisfaction for everyone:

• If certain people are dominating the conversation, make a point of asking others for their ideas.
• At the end of each agenda item, quickly summarize what was said.
• Note items that require further discussions. 
• Ensure the meeting stays on topic.
• List all tasks that are generated at the meeting. Make a note of who is assigned to do what, and by when.