The best part of getting your meetings under control is that people appreciate the change. People actually want to come to my meetings now, because they know there’ll be some sort of purpose. They get in, they gain something of value, they get out. And best of all, so do I… :)

A side benefit is that “want to” part. Motivation and interest in your project is one of less discussed, but challenging parts of project management. As much as we all have to do in corporate life nowadays, people tend to devote most of their time and best work to the projects that they’re interested in. The rest get done last-minute and with the least effort necessary. I always try to do what I can to stay at the front of people’s lists.

A while ago now I wrote down some thoughts on holding effective meetings in my post http://outofthetriangle.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/the-best-meetings-are-short/

I have found that by keeping meetings short and only inviting those who need to be there it is actually easier to get people to attend the meetings I hold.