Time management for business professionals also means needing to know how to be time-smart for scheduling meetings, especially for the “one-on-one get to know you” and “learn about your business meetings.”
Generally, most meetings should last 30 minutes and no more than 45 minutes. How many times does a coffee meeting run more than an hour? A lot.
Here are some key points for keeping an effective time-smart meeting.
- Schedule the meeting time from your Outlook/calendar invitation showing the meeting for 30 minutes.
- Be clear with the person you are meeting with that you want to “honor their time” by allowing for a 30 minute meeting. If they/you need more time, then agree to that additional amount of time.
- Arrive at the appointed time at least 5 minutes early. Exchange common pleasantries, then remind the person that you have appointed time for the meeting and you would like to get to business right away in order to honor their time and your time.
- If you see that your meeting is going to run over, let the person know you are getting close to the end time and that you either need to get to your next meeting, or ask for additional time to extend the meeting.By keeping to a schedule and an agenda, you will appear more professional and your colleague will know that you are serious about your business and respectful of their time.
