When used effectively, meetings can provide a mechanism for integrating different viewpoints, improving the decision-making process, generating new ideas, and coordinating the activities of participants. To be effective, meetings need to be conducted in an organized way by using an agenda, starting and ending on time, facilitating productive participation of members, and by summarizing the work which was accomplished. The following list includes several points to make the most of meetings: 1. Explore alternatives to meeting--telephone, conference call, memorandum. 2. Limit attendance to only those people who have to be there. 3. Make sure all participants know the purpose of the meeting in advance. 4. Send a written agenda in advance of the meeting. 5. Make sure there is a leder who will assume responsibility for starting, guiding, and closing the meeting with a summary. 6. Choose an appropriate place, conveniently located. 7. Choose an appropriate time--afternoon is usually the best. 8. Designate a recorder to make note of decisions, actions, and recommendations. 9. Start and end on time. 10. Stick to the agenda--don't get distracted by side issues which eat into time allotted for the meeting. 11. Control interruptions such as telephone calls for members, or people coming in and out. 12. Make sure everyone is clear about what is expected of them after the meeting.
若运用得当，会议可提供一种整合不同观点、改进决策过程、激发新想法以及协调参会者活动的机制。要想达到良好效果，会议需要以有组织的方式进行，可借助议程安排，准时开始和结束，促进成员积极参与，并总结已完成的工作。以下清单包含了充分利用会议的几个要点：1. 探索会议的替代方式——电话、电话会议、备忘录。2. 仅让必须参会的人员出席。3. 确保所有参会者提前知晓会议目的。4. 在会议前发送书面议程。5. 确保有一位负责人负责会议的开始、引导以及以总结的方式结束会议。6. 选择一个位置便利的合适地点。7. 选择一个合适的时间——通常下午是最佳时间。8. 指定一名记录员记录决策、行动和建议。9. 准时开始和结束。10. 紧扣议程——不要被那些占用会议规定时间的次要问题分散注意力。11. 控制干扰，如参会成员的电话或人员进出。12. 确保每个人都清楚会议结束后对他们的期望。
