Forums

Hi everyone,

I was recently promoted to manager of a web application project team. This site has been invaluable. I've enjoyed listening to and studying the podcasts on meetings this weekend.

I've looked at my team's calenders, and Wednesday looks like a good open day for a meeting. Should I do a morning (10-11) or afternoon (2-3) meeting?

My initial thoughts are that the morning meeting would be better as we'll all be more fresh at that time.

--Michael

Mark's picture
Admin Role Badge

Morning 70/30.

Welcome aboard.

Mark

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

I schedule my staff meetings for the morning. I have found that people are more likely to be caught up and miss the afternoon meetings.

But M&M told us to hold O3s in the afternoon, as the mornings are your most creative time. I suppose then that you should factor in your need for creativity in this meeting.

mdrapp's picture

[quote="WillDuke"]But M&M told us to hold O3s in the afternoon, as the mornings are your most creative time. I suppose then that you should factor in your need for creativity in this meeting.[/quote]

Now that I think about that...that's probably what I meant by "fresh." It is likely that the meetings will always have a good quasi-brainstorming aspect to them, so it looks like mornings are good time.

LouFlorence's picture
Training Badge

Michael-

Morning, for sure. Even the most motivated bunch will have a tough time staying focused for 60-90 minutes after lunch. I think siestas are wired in pretty deep, so I try to not schedule long meetings after lunch.

Congratulations on your promotion and welcome to one of the best spots on the Web!

regards,
Lou

mdrapp's picture

Should be great. I have my first staff meeting tomorrow at 10 and I send out the agenda today, using the agenda template from this site as a guide.

I'll also be reviewing the two staff meeting podcasts.

Oddly, I had "one of those meetings" yesterday. Began late, went an hour over, had no agenda, people tuned out about 45 minutes in. While I don't want to go so far as to say "I saved the meeting," but I will say that focusing on the [i]who[/i] will do [i]what[/i] by [i]when[/i] at the end (which was basically when everyone sorta fizzled out as far as talking went) went a long way to making the meeting purposeful.[/i]

--Michael

mdrapp's picture

The meeting went great. Having set times for things and the use of the parking lot really helped us stay on track and give each item the appropriate due.

My staff was very happy when we ended on time. One person who has been here for many years remarked, "I didn't think they allowed meetings to end on time in this organization." :D

--Michael

WillDuke's picture
Training Badge

That is awesome. Way to go. M&M gave you the tools, but you did it. Kudos!!!

trandell's picture

[quote="mdrapp"]The meeting went great. Having set times for things and the use of the parking lot really helped us stay on track and give each item the appropriate due.

My staff was very happy when we ended on time. One person who has been here for many years remarked, "I didn't think they allowed meetings to end on time in this organization." :D

--Michael[/quote]

Good for you. Now...get them to start on time and you're really on fire.