Managing Meetings

I think everyone would agree that poorly called or run meetings waste valuable time for any organisation. This course will show you how to run meetings effectively and improve your ability to instigate actions that are quick and efficient. 

The course starts with some basic definitions and statistics that outline how important running meetings effectively can be.

It examines factors that make meetings great, and some practical steps you can take to ensure everything runs smoothly and successful outcomes are achieved. It also covers some of the ways you can handle any problems that may arise.

Finally, it looks at different decision-making approaches you can use and finishes off with some notes on keeping a learning log to help you learn and grow, ultimately becoming a more confident and effective participant or chairperson.

This Managing Meetings online course is approved by:

CPD certification service :

The CPD certification service helps organisations to formalise their expertise into a structured and recognised approach in learning. This conforms the course content is alilgned to the universally accepted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Plan and Prepare Efficient Meetings:
Identify the purpose and objectives of the meeting.
Develop clear agendas that outline topics, time allocations, and expected outcomes.
Select appropriate participants and communicate expectations beforehand.
Arrange necessary resources and logistics for a smooth meeting experience.
2. Facilitate Productive Discussions:
Employ effective facilitation techniques to encourage participation and manage time.
Foster an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected.
Manage conflicts and disagreements constructively to maintain focus on goals.
Utilise brainstorming and decision-making tools to generate ideas and reach consensus.
3. Enhance Engagement and Collaboration:
Utilise technology and tools to enhance remote or virtual meetings.
Implement strategies to keep participants engaged and actively involved.
Encourage collaboration and teamwork to leverage diverse perspectives.
Foster a culture of accountability by assigning action items and follow-up tasks.
4. Evaluate and Improve Meeting Effectiveness:
Solicit feedback from participants to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
Analyse meeting metrics such as attendance, participation, and outcomes.
Adjust meeting formats and processes based on feedback and data analysis.
Continuously refine meeting practices to optimise efficiency and effectiveness.
5. Manage Post-Meeting Activities:
Summarise key discussion points, decisions, and action items.
Distribute meeting minutes and follow-up materials promptly.
Monitor progress on action items and provide necessary support or resources.
Conduct periodic reviews to assess the impact of meetings on organisational goals.
6. Promote a Culture of Effective Meetings:
Advocate for best practices in meeting management within your organisation.
Lead by example in conducting well-organised and productive meetings.
Coach team members on meeting etiquette and participation skills.
Recognise and celebrate achievements in meeting effectiveness and efficiency.
7. Adapt to Changing Work Environments:
Adjust meeting strategies to accommodate hybrid or flexible work arrangements.
Incorporate principles of remote work and digital collaboration into meeting practices.
Address challenges and opportunities associated with diverse work settings and schedules.
Foster a sense of connection and community among team members regardless of physical location.

By mastering these skills and principles, you will be equipped to lead and participate in meetings that are efficient, engaging, and conducive to achieving organisational objectives.

Various professionals across industries and organisational levels can benefit from this course on Managing Meetings. Here are some groups that would find value in developing their meeting management skills:

Team Leaders and Managers: Leaders responsible for guiding teams and driving projects forward will benefit from learning how to conduct effective meetings to keep their teams aligned and motivated.

Project Managers: Professionals managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders can enhance their project management skills by mastering the art of facilitating productive meetings to track progress, address issues, and make decisions.

Executives and Directors: Senior executives and directors can improve their leadership effectiveness by running efficient meetings that maximise the use of time and resources while promoting collaboration and innovation.

Human Resources Professionals: HR professionals can learn how to design and facilitate meetings that support employee engagement, foster teamwork, and address organisational challenges such as diversity and inclusion.

Sales and Marketing Teams: Sales and marketing teams can benefit from learning how to conduct client meetings, presentations, and brainstorming sessions that enhance customer relationships and drive business growth.

Consultants and Facilitators: Professionals who facilitate meetings and workshops for clients or within their organisations can refine their facilitation skills and expand their toolkit of meeting techniques and exercises.

Remote and Hybrid Teams: With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, individuals and teams working across different locations can learn strategies for effectively managing virtual meetings and maintaining team cohesion.

Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: Entrepreneurs and small business owners can improve their organisational effectiveness by mastering meeting management techniques to align their teams, set strategic priorities, and make informed decisions.

Nonprofit and Government Leaders: Leaders in nonprofit organisations and government agencies can enhance their ability to conduct efficient meetings that advance their missions, engage stakeholders, and deliver impactful results.

Educators and Trainers: Educators and trainers can apply meeting management principles to design and facilitate engaging and interactive learning experiences for students or participants in professional development programs.

In summary, anyone who leads, participates in, or facilitates meetings as part of their professional responsibilities can benefit from acquiring the skills and knowledge covered in this course.

Module 1: The Basics

Module 2: Planning

Module 3: Preparing an Agenda 

Module 4: Problems and How to Deal With Them

Module 5: Techniques for Resolving Conflict

Module 6: Making Decisions

It does not account in any way for loading time or thinking time on the questions).

This entirely online course can be accessed from any device with the following system specifications:

    • Browser: Up to date web browser
    • Video: Up to date video drivers
    • Memory: 1Gb+ RAM
    • Download Speed: Broadband (3Mb+)