"I have been holding staff meetings for years and have found them to be one of the most productive parts of running my business. Each staff meeting has a purpose, a reason, a lesson, and, of course, information to exchange. Keep these goals in mind when you plan the meeting."

Holding staff meetings on a regular basis enables your employees and yourself an opportunity to discuss the business in a constructive way. At the end of the day, over a little food and some constructive discussion, you can solve many problems. The owner or manager is able to discuss problems occurring in the business or situations that could do with some improvement. The employees, on the other hand, can help to resolve some of the problems that you have by making suggestions and giving you a different point of view. A staff meeting affords everyone a wonderful opportunity to discuss and contribute ideas and energy into making your business more efficient and profitable.

Make sure have your meeting organised, with a purpose. Definitely have a goal that you are trying to address, and always, no matter how opinionated the discussions get, end on a positive note. In my facility, we always have a dinner meeting which lasts about 1 to 2 hours, including dinner. Making the meeting too long causes it to drag, and when that happens, people are tired and the meeting is no longer productive.

I have found that employees enjoy shorter meetings because they know what to expect and they know they are going to get fed! Everyone will have more positive contributions on a full stomach. H pay my employees for their time and also pay for the dinner. This meeting should not cost the employees anything at all, and they should not dread going, but look forward to it. Food seems to make everyone more productive and more interested in learning, especially when we have a safety class to teach. Keep the atmosphere light and productive and don't allow anyone to become highly critical or negative. Positive comments about a problem are more likely to result in a solution. All of our staff meetings are mandatory, and all employees must attend. These meetings are scheduled for right after we close for the day, so everyone can easily attend them. This also reduces the temptation for employees to leave and call later with an excuse of why they can't come back and attend.

Staff meetings must have a purpose. For example, you can use the meetings to teach various kinds of classes, such as a class on first aid or animal resuscitation. You can discuss client problems and how we can resolve those, changes to policies, new services we will be adding. The productivity level of these meetings really depends on you and your ability to conduct a meeting, keep it organised and moving along. Again, one of the most important aspects of the meeting is to start and end on a positive note.

Recognise that everyone has an opinion and wants to express it, so allow them to. However, make sure you keep the staff and tone of the meeting under control.

I have found that this approach has made my employees feel that they are an important part of our team, and they are. Happy employees continue a wonderful energy level by keeping everything running smoothly every day. They work together and as a team become the happy lubrication to the finely tuned business machine that makes you so proud. You will be surprised how staff meetings can set the tone of the workplace, help with wonderful ideas to increase income, save time, and make the work place safer. Your employees have valuable contributions to make and wonderful ideas to voice. Often these ideas are something you just haven't had the time to think of. One of the most important things you need to do is remember to listen to everyone. By creating an atmosphere where others are encouraged to speak and their comments are valued, you will learn a lot. The employees will feel like they are a more valued part of the business, and they will in turn begin to be more observant and eager to contribute. Be sure to reward good ideas with an encouraging word or have a prize to the group that comes up with the most ideas. This has worked wonders for me in the past, especially when I have a difficult problem that needs solving. The groups came up with the most creative solutions - it was a wonderful evening for everyone. Give these meetings a try and you will find that you gain a lot of time-saving tips from everyone and new, inexpensive ways to do things.

Source: By Grace Woodford Pet Services Journal November / December