Meetings are important business and social activities. We meet with other people to learn, to exchange information, to take decisions and to enjoy ourselves. However, research has suggested that meetings are not only a waste of time but also engulf 60 per cent of our working time. Despite their necessity, many meetings are organized by individuals who have other full-time responsibilities and lack the formal training and experience to ensure their successful planning and execution.

Alan Barker provides guidance on how to get meetings right. Readers should be able to reap the rewards from appropriate preparation, maximizing participation, understanding group dynamics, effective chairing, and how to follow up.