Many people have come to view meetings as time-wasters, and for good reason. Free food and beverages are often the only things that draw people to meetings and the only things they actually look forward to.

Why have people come to view meetings as such time-wasters during their day? Think back to some of the more recent meetings you have attended. Did someone give a long-winded speech that was completely off topic? Was their one individual who dominated the entire meeting without regard for what others had to say (the “office-bully”)? Did a colleague speak using terms that no one else understood? These are just some of the reasons why people no longer feel meetings are important.

However, no matter how much we have come to dislike them, meetings are still important. Here are a few tips you can use to make a meeting less of a time-waster and to keep your colleagues more engaged.

• Avoid being late – Showing up late for a meeting, leaves your colleagues with the impression that you are disorganized. Tardiness is also disrespectful to other meeting attendees, who have taken time out of their day to attend the meeting. It is even worse when the meeting cannot begin without your presence.

• Prepare ahead of time – Take a few minutes to review the agenda or material you have been provided with so you are prepared to contribute to the meeting.
• Dominate the meeting – Some form of discussion will likely take place during a meeting. If you have anything to contribute, be clear, concise, and to the point. If you don’t have anything purposeful to contribute, use it as an opportunity to work on your listening skills.
• Turn off your cell phone or other mobile device – Having phones ring during meetings is not only an interruption to speakers, but it is also a distraction for other attendees.
• Stay on topic — Agendas are there to keep meetings on topic. Use them to stay focused on what needs to be accomplished. If an unrelated topic is brought up, make note of it for discussion after the meeting or at another appropriate time.
• Use statements as much as possible – When you are contributing to discussions in a meeting, avoid making statements sounds like questions. Questions will only invite other to argue and disagree with you.