When you must have a meeting, use a meeting plan with these ten critical components:

1. Goal - What do you want to achieve at the meeting?
2. Attendees - Who must be, should be, and can contribute value at the meeting?
3. Background - What are the circumstances, key players, and history leading to this point?
4. Attendee preparation - To make the most of everyone's time, assign responsibilities to those who must prepare.
5. Logistics - Where, when, how long will the meeting be? What will you need in equipment, refreshments, etc.?
6. Meeting agenda - List time slots for each agenda item, starting with the most important.
7. Timekeeper - Assign someone to keep the meeting on track.
8. Minutes minder - Assign someone else to take minutes and distribute a summary afterward.
9. Action items - As a result of the meeting, what has to be done, by whom, how, when, and by what deadline?
10. Start and stop on time - Don't penalize those who are prompt; follow the agenda schedule. Remember, "you get the behavior you reward."