Conducting Effective Meetings Training Outline

Module 1: Meeting Fundamentals

When to Meet (And When Not To)

• Meetings vs. emails, calls, or individual decisions
• Different meeting types: information sharing, decision-making, brainstorming
• Cost of meetings and making them worth everyone's time
• Building a culture where unnecessary meetings don't happen

Planning for Success

• Setting clear objectives and desired outcomes
• Creating agendas that keep discussions focused
• Inviting the right people (and only the right people)
• Choosing appropriate meeting length and timing

Module 2: Running Productive Meetings

Strong Meeting Leadership

• Starting and ending on time consistently
• Keeping discussions on track without being rigid
• Managing dominant personalities and encouraging quiet participants
• Making decisions efficiently and moving through agenda items

Engaging All Participants

• Techniques for getting everyone to contribute
• Handling side conversations and distractions
• Using questions to drive productive discussion
• Managing virtual and hybrid meeting dynamics

Module 3: Meeting Outcomes and Follow-up

Decision-Making and Action Items

• Making clear decisions during meetings
• Assigning specific action items with owners and deadlines
• Documenting key decisions and next steps
• Handling disagreements and building consensus

Effective Follow-up

• Meeting notes that people actually read and use
• Tracking progress on action items between meetings
• Preparing for follow-up meetings based on previous outcomes
• Measuring meeting effectiveness and improving over time

Module 4: Common Meeting Challenges

Difficult Situations

• Handling conflicts and disagreements professionally
• Managing meetings when senior leaders are present
• Dealing with unprepared participants
• Keeping meetings productive when emotions run high

Virtual Meeting Excellence

• Technology setup and platform management
• Engagement techniques for remote participants
• Screen sharing and presentation skills
• Managing chat, muting, and virtual meeting etiquette

Hands-On Components:

• Practice leading meetings with feedback
• Role-playing difficult meeting scenarios
• Agenda creation and time management exercises
• Virtual meeting platform training

What You'll Walk Away With:

• Confidence to lead any type of business meeting
• Skills to keep meetings focused and productive
• Techniques for engaging all participants effectively
• Systems for follow-up that ensure action items get completed
• Ability to handle difficult meeting situations professionally

Note: For managers, team leaders, and anyone who runs meetings. Focus on practical techniques that make meetings more efficient and valuable for all participants.