Staff Meetings

Keeping everyone informed seems easy - but it isn't. It requires constant focus to make sure everyone knows what's important, how the company is doing, and how their efforts are linked to the overall success of the team.

As part of your communication process - schedule regular staff meetings. This is an all hands meeting (with one rotating person to answer phones). Schedule the meeting every two weeks - and make sure that everyone can attend in person. If you are missing more than 2 key people, reschedule the meeting.

Keep the agenda simple and consistent.

1) Business overview - what are the key indicators and what is the progress against those indicators.

2) What went well since the last meeting? Recognize outstanding efforts, happy customers, good survey results, positive press, etc.  Spread the positive feedback around - be specific - mention names!

3) What didn't go well since the last meeting? Make this data driven - not impressions. Quality issues, missed deadlines, lost orders, late orders, etc. Don't mention names - everyone is responsible for problems.

4) What are the priorities for the next 2 weeks? Which customers are must wins, which orders need attention, where are areas for improvement? How do you achieve more of #2 and less of #3.

5) Opens. Give everyone a chance to chime in and raise issues and concerns. Give everyone a chance to recognize other people for their contributions. Call on each person by name.

Keep the meeting to 30min to 1 hour. Buy donuts, bagels, or pizza.