Meetings are often the butt of everybody’s cynicism. They can be regarded as a complete waste of time at worst and a necessary evil at best. However, management training does focus on the positive aspects of meeting and it is worth reminding yourself of what they are good for.

A meeting can be a terrific morale booster and act as a launch pad to greater things. If individuals feel that they are being kept fully informed and that their input is valued, they will be spurred on to greater things.

A meeting can be used to make members of your team feel empowered. If an individual has the opportunity to present to a meeting, they will naturally feel important and their self esteem will be increased. In fact, allowing people the right to call meetings is an indication of peoples’ input being valued at all levels.

Meetings can be a great way to improve training. They are an ideal opportunity to share experience, and allow both the individuals and the organisation to develop.

The fact is that while technology now allows people to video conference, meetings still take place even when one of the parties to the meeting travels across the world. People like to deal with people.