Every week, managers spend an average of 8 hours in meetings. That’s nearly 50 days a year. More than two months of work are devoted to discussions, some of which could be avoided or shortened. An effective meeting isn’t just one where everyone speaks; it’s one where decisions move forward. This guide provides a practical three-step method for achieving that.

In this guide, you will find:

• Before the meeting: set the stage and clarify expectations. Summarize the objective in a single sentence, identify who really needs to be there (and who doesn’t), and share an agenda that allows everyone to come prepared
• During the meeting: make decisions and move forward. Start with clear guidelines for speaking, use simple tools for group decision-making (quick votes, visual aids, going around the table), handle digressions without causing frustration, and refocus on priorities
• After the meeting: follow up and ensure action is taken. Draft a report that can be read in five minutes or less, assign each task to a specific person with a clear deadline, and inform stakeholders who were not present to avoid any confusion.

Download the guide and get started with the three-step method, a before/during/after checklist, and tools for group decision-making.