Survival Guide
Master your meetingsTime is a precious commodity to a small business owner. Attending unproductive meetings with customers, suppliers, colleagues, employees and salespeople can be costly and frustrating. ROGER PIERCE -- www.bizlaunch.ca |
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Make the most of your meeting time by following these suggestions:
- Be selective: When you're an entrepreneur or manager, it seems everyone wants to meet with you. Start to just say "no" to meetings you think will waste your time.
- Do phone calls instead: While some meetings are important to attend, most things can be addressed over the telephone. Suggest a 30-minute phone call rather than a meeting. You'll be able to end the meeting punctually and cut down on travel time.
- Circulate an agenda: Too many people "wing it" with meetings and show up unprepared. Ask people who want to meet with you to prepare a meeting agenda. That way you can see if the meeting is really needed or not. And, you'll be able to add your own items to the agenda.
- Get people to come to you: It may sound selfish, but try to arrange meetings in your office or your neighbourhood coffee shop instead of travelling to someone else's place. You'll save lots of travel time and enjoy a home-court advantage.
Want to learn more about starting a successful small business? Catch the free Bell BizLaunch Seminar "How to Create Your Million $ Idea" at the Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre on April 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For details, visit www.BizLaunch.ca/bell seminars.
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