How to run a business meetings in the UK?

Question

For my business class we are making a side show on how a select country runs a company such as a meeting.

Information on this would be great!

Answer 1

In the UK meetings are usually held in Meeting Rooms designed for the purpose.

Typically there is a long table with chairs arranged around it.

There will usually be a Video Projector and screen (most meetings will involve some PowerPoint presentations). The room will typically be equipped for Tele-conferencing and Video-conferencing, especially in an International Company.

The sequence below would apply to a Medium to Large Company at their Administrative Office.


The person who called the meeting will normally be the 'leader' (this is often the Senior Manager, but not always - sometimes junior staff call meetings to ask for approval of some plans or to present their progress report or final results).

The 'leader' is responsible for creating an Agenda which is normally sent to all those invited before the meeting. The Agenda will state the purpose of the meeting, the subjects to be discussed, who will make presentations and how long the meeting is expected to last (as well as the location, start time etc).

Often the Department Secretary will be asked to check when everyone is free and arrange a suitable date/time for the meeting. The Agenda is usually sent to those invited by email. Individuals who are unable to attend due to some higher priority task that arises later or because they believe the meeting is not relevant to them - in this case they will contact the organiser in advance which can result in the meeting being rescheduled (if that individual is vital to the decision making process).

At the meeting the items on the Agenda are presented one at a time - this is often followed by questions and discussion - the 'leader' directs the discussion to prevent others from deviating from the Agenda and also for seeking agreement or 'consensus' if a decision or further action is required.

Those who feel strongly about some item will often interrupt to ask for clarifications or to register their disagreement. The 'leader' is responsible for ensuring everyone has a chance to speak - agreements are usually based on a 'majority decision'. Even those who disagree strongly with the majority will usually accept the final decision.

Typically the 'leader' will ask for volunteers to take follow-up action on the decisions reached - if the 'leader' is a Senior manager, they may ask or direct specific individuals to be responsible for ensuring each agreed action is taken.

Notes ('minutes') are taken of the agreements reached and circulated to everyone who was invited (even if they did not attend). The notes will record who has agreed to take some 'action', when they will deliver this work and if/when a follow-up meeting will take place.

If the meeting is expected to last for more than a couple of hours, one or more coffee breaks will be scheduled. If the meeting is all day, then arrangements will be made for lunch.