Marketing Me! Agendas are neccessary

I am in Atlanta this week. Lots more on that later.

One thing I have learned for any interview, sales call, customer meeting or discussion with your employer - have an agenda.

In our informal, shirt sleeves workplace, many believe in getting together to "brainstorm" and discuss openly a number of topics. Nothing could be more unproductive.

When calling a meeting, put forth an agenda. It could be as simple as:

Discuss contract for Burns.
Review compensation package.
etc..

Then complete a short list of points which are part of the topics on the agenda:

Burns contract -
Non recurring charges
Certification status
Contract signing update

When meeting, make sure one attendee agrees to act as recorder. Their job is to capture all salient points, assignments and agreements for the meeting.

Finally, even if the agenda topics are not completed, send out a follow up communication after the meeting which includes a record of everything accomplished at the meeting.