Meetings are a necessary part of our day to day business lives. And no matter what your viewpoint is on them, you can make the most of these collaborations by doing your part to stand out, which could help you secure that next promotion or get that complex assignment you have been eyeing up. Use these tips to your advantage when it comes to putting your best foot forward in your next business meeting.
RSVP Right Away
While getting a meeting invite may not be the highlight of your day, how you respond to it does matter. Show your meeting organizer that you are efficient and on top of your game by responding promptly. Not only is this polite but it can help a meeting organizer prepare for the event by knowing who will be in attendance and if their meeting time will work for everyone involved.
Come Prepared
When the agenda is emailed, take a few moments to review it. You want to go into the meeting prepared for what will be covered and have necessary talking points for topics of discussion that center around your responsibilities in a project. Jot some notes down and be sure to think about any concerns, questions or ideas you have regarding the agenda topics.
Introduce Yourself
If you are new to a meeting or don’t know everyone in attendance be sure to introduce yourself around the room. It is a friendly gesture and will go a long way in making you stand out with your superiors as a team player. This simple courtesy can move you forward in your career with ease.
Engage In Discussions
During the meeting, be sure to engage in the discussion as surely you have ideas to contribute. There may be an angle of the project that has yet to be considered, or you may have a solution that will help save money or challenges down the road. Be sure to pay attention and be involved as much as you can.
Don’t Interrupt
Remember your manners when it comes to meetings. Don’t interrupt when others are talking. It will make you look rude to others and will show your impatience to wait your turn. Displaying this disrespect could hurt your chances with the higher ups as you may come off as pushy or arrogant. Just wait your turn, there will be plenty of chances to speak.
Put Away The Phone
Above all, put your phone away. If you know it is going to be a distraction during the meeting, leave it at your desk. Spending time on your phone while one of your peers is talking shows that you don’t care and are disinterested in what is going on. Remember this is your chance to impress and you will be remembered for your alertness during the meeting rather than your inability to focus on anything other than your phone.
Be Brief And Concise
When you do take time to talk make sure you make your points concise and quick. No one likes someone that drones on for hours. Everyone has a full plate these days, and meetings need to be as quick as possible but effective in their approach. Save the long speeches and stick to the subject. If you find yourself veering off course, correct yourself and allow follow up after the meeting with the proper parties.
Have An Action Plan
Before you leave the meeting, you should have a clear idea of the takeaways and what your responsibility is moving forward. Reiterate these actions with the meeting organizer if you are unclear. You should be able to easily walk out the meeting and know what your plan of attack is. Follow up with the right parties and be sure to do your part in getting the tasks done on time.
Be Your Confident Self
Be yourself all during the meeting. This means you need to come with your self-esteem intact and be ready to communicate with your team. Stand behind your thoughts but don’t be aggressive or obsessed in trying to persuade everyone you are right. Be likable and respectful of everyone in attendance and stay true to who you are. You will be recognized for your efforts as long as they weren’t in vain or dishonest in their approach.
When you need help assembling the right team for your business, you can count on Resolute Technologies. Its professional and qualified consultants can assist you in finding talent to fill a myriad of positions with your company. Contact us today!