Running Effective Meetings

About this course

Meetings are one of the most expensive things a team does, so they should earn their place. With a clear purpose, a focused agenda and actions that get followed through, meetings become useful rather than draining. This course shows you how to decide whether a meeting is needed, plan it well, keep it on track, close it with actions and keep improving, with Australian examples and one action after each lesson.

What you will be able to do

• You'll be able to decide whether a meeting is the right tool for a purpose
• You'll be able to plan a meeting with a clear agenda, time and attendees
• You'll be able to facilitate discussion so decisions are reached and everyone can contribute
• You'll be able to follow up with notes and actions that get done

Course outline

1. Is a Meeting Needed?

   7 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Not every issue needs a meeting. Before booking one, check whether a message, a shared document or a short call would do the job, and whether the people involved really need to be there.
2. Purpose and Agenda

   7 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A clear purpose and agenda make a meeting focused and efficient. Each item should state its goal, its owner and the time allowed, so participants know what to prepare and what success looks like.
3. Keeping Time and Focus

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A good facilitator keeps the discussion moving, makes space for every voice and steers the meeting back to the agenda when it drifts. Time-keeping and clear ground rules help meetings finish on time.
4. Closing With Actions

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A meeting is only productive if its decisions and actions are recorded and followed through. Close each meeting by confirming actions, owners and due dates, and share them quickly.
5. Improving Future Meetings

   7 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Good meetings improve over time. Gather feedback, review patterns in your meetings and make small changes, such as shorter time slots or clearer agendas, to improve the next one.
6. Careers & next steps

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Meeting facilitation and coordination skills are valued in operations, project, administration and leadership roles. This lesson maps the roles this course can lead to and how to check what they are worth.
7. Final quiz and certificate

   10 questions, pass mark 8 of 10. Pass to get your Reesby Academy certificate with a verification link.