After the Meeting
Here are a few simple rules to follow any meeting
- Write up the Action Plan
- Write up any key points that were agreed
- Write up the schedule with dates
The write-up is best done as an email and copied to the group.
The email should be short and to the point, otherwise you run the risk of it not being read, or properly absorbed.
Essentially it’s a reference document so that anyone can check back to what was agreed and when it was agreed to be done by.
If you need to provide supporting information then by all means attach a word doc. But let your Action Plan stay in email format, as this is more immediate and can be read and understood at a glance.
What you don’t what is your recipients seeing an attached word doc of the Action Plan and thinking oh, I’ll look at that later.
Later means never. Later means forget.
The email write-up also reinforces the intention of the group. They’ll realise that you – and they – mean business, and they’ll be less likely to let you down.
Send the email out the same day or next day at the very latest. This way they will see it as urgent. If you leave it longer there’s a danger that people will start forgetting and not take you as seriously as you would wish.
Don’t take the risk. Write the Action Plan as soon as you can, and as briefly as you can.
Exercise 16
Do you always write up a brief Action Plan and email to everyone?
- Always
- Often
- Not often
Do you do it immediately, or within 24 hours?
- Always
- Often
- Not often
The message implicit in these questions is obvious. Adopt the habits of successful meetings by always following through.
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