How to Run a Better Meeting (Infographic)

Many managers may feel as if their meetings have devolved into an opportunity for employees to space out or doodle. But how do you run a better meeting?

Video-communication company Blue Jeans Network offers these four tips to keep your meetings efficient and effective:

1. Write out an agenda. It keeps the meeting focused.
2. Kick off the meeting on time. Five minutes here and there stalling for late employees add up.
3. Document topics covered and decisions made. Assign somebody to take meeting minutes for the group.
4. Schedule meetings in off-peak times. There is a 20 percent decline in meetings from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. when people eat. Try a lunchtime meeting. Serving food is sure to reel them in.

In a report released today, the Mountain View, Calif.-based firm examines data from more than a million meetings hosted in 177 countries with its software. Consider the infographic below summarizing meeting habits in the U.S.

What is your most successful meeting strategy? Leave a note below and let us know.