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RentQuick.com offers computer rentals, notebook rentals, projector rentals and more for use as presentation aids for your meetings. In order to conduct an effective meeting, having the proper presentation aids and equipment is crucial. For more about our computer and projector rentals, click here. Here are some presentation aids and tips for effective meetings.

Ten Tips to Improve the Effectiveness of Your Meetings
By: Patti Hathaway

Guideline 1: Provide Specific Goals and Objectives for your Meeting
Practical Tips:

1. An agenda sent out prior to a meeting is critical! List your meeting objective (i.e. the purpose for the meeting) on the agenda.

2. Write out the preparation you would like the participants to do prior to the meeting. List it as the "Pre-Meeting Preparation". Include in that list the things/items you need participants to bring to the meeting.

3. Invite only those people who can contribute to the meeting. Every person attending a meeting should be able to answer these key questions:

- What is the purpose of this meeting?

- How can I contribute?

Guideline 2: Avoid the "Information Assumption" Trap
Practical Tips:

4. Avoid "lecture meetings". Is there a more efficient way to distribute certain information instead of calling a meeting?

5. Prepare Action Item Minutes.

6. Get participants actively involved in the meeting: time keeper, leading, facilitating, etc.

7. Have participants attend only for the time they are needed. Guideline

Guideline 3: The "Platinum Rule" of Meeting Success
Practical Tips:

8. Are your participants "big picture" or "detail" people? What format should be used in the project team's final report? What kind of meeting minutes will best meet the needs of your participants?

9. Start on time. Set an ending time on the meeting when scheduling the meeting. End on time.

10. Who said "Robert's Rules of Order" increases the effectiveness of meetings? Develop your own "Rules of the Road" to meet your specific group's objectives and needs.

Patti Hathaway is a Certified Speaking Professional and author of 4 books which have sold over 100,000 copies. Known as The CHANGE AGENT , she can be at 1-800-339-0973 or at her web-site: www.thechangeagent.com for information on her speaking services or to receive her free e-mail newsletter.

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