When you think about formal meetings, you may imagine a formal meeting with a strict agenda, a designated speaker, and a strict protocol. There may also be someone who takes notes that follow an established structure and employ formal language. For informal meetings, these conventions may not be in place.

The topic of the meeting will largely dictate its atmosphere and the manner in which people interact, whether it be in discussion or voting. A meeting with the sole subject of old work and loose ends can be a good opportunity to discuss important issues that were left unfinished and how they could impact the future work. A meeting with a subject concerning new business plans would be a good opportunity to discuss the new initiatives, and boardroomrecords.com evaluate how they are incorporated into the overall strategy of the business.

It is important for participants to feel comfortable in expressing their opinions and not worry about how they will be perceived. If you notice that a person is hesitant to speak, think about broadening the discussion by asking them for their thoughts on a topic raised by a participant in the group. This will help keep the discussion on ideas and not a clash of personalities. As the meeting progresses it is essential to ensure that the discussion stays on the right track and a quorum of members remains in attendance. It is helpful to follow-up with participants after the meeting and ask for feedback. This will highlight their role in the outcome of the meeting.