How to Run a Better Meeting (Infographic)A look at the state of business meetings and insight into how to make your meetings more efficient and effective.

ByCatherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Many managers may feel as if their meetings have devolved into an opportunity for employees to space out or doodle. But how do you run a better meeting?

Video-communication companyBlue Jeans Networkoffers these four tips to keep your meetings efficient and effective:

  1. Write out an agenda.It keeps the meeting focused.
  2. Kick off the meeting on time.Five minutes here and there stalling for late employees add up.
  3. Document topics covered and decisions made.Assign somebody to take meeting minutes for the group.
  4. Schedule meetings in off-peak times.There is a 20 percent decline in meetings from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. when people eat. Try a lunchtime meeting. Serving food is sure to reel them in.

In a report released today, the Mountain View, Calif.-based firm examines data from more than a million meetings hosted in 177 countries with its software. Consider the infographic below summarizing meeting habits in the U.S.

How to Run a Better Meeting (Infographic)

What is your most successful meeting strategy?Leave a note below and let us know.

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Related Topics

Business News

KFC Has Been Dethroned as No. 2 Chicken Chain in the U.S. — Here's Who Took Its Spot

A viral chicken sandwich led to an increase in market share.

Thought Leaders

5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read Before Starting a Business

A selection of books that helped me found and scale a startup from a $10,000 line of credit to a billion-dollar business

Business News

'We Don't Sleep Well Anymore': Airbnb Host Grapples With 'Tenant From Hell' Who Refuses to Leave

An Airbnb guest rented a guesthouse for a long-term stay in 2021 but has since remained in the unit for over 540 days — without paying rent.

Buying / Investing in Business

Ampere Is Delivering the Biggest Innovation to Eyewear in 50 Years

You have the chance to join them as a shareholder as they take on this $160B market.

Business News

Drew Barrymore's Writers Are Not Returning Amid Controversy, Despite End of Strike

The new season is slated to return to air on October 16.