Business problems such as with cash flow, return on investment, income, and expenses are all too common, and business owners are prepared for such things. What businessmen are not prepared for are problem employees. They literally make your head hurt. You can suspend them or cite them for violations, but does it really help in the long run? Maybe there’s still a chance to turn things around?
That’s why many companies are investing in corporate video production services. They can deliver messages directly to their employees without needing face-to-face encounters that often go sideways when there are deadlines to meet. With a corporate video, employees can watch the messages at their own leisure and pace. They are also allowed to gather their thoughts before sending a reply. The pressure is minimized because employees are given the time to formulate an idea.
But there are other problems during meetings that corporate videos cannot solve. Here are the common problems accompanied by suggested solutions:
Failure to Start and Finish on Time
Problem: The reason why many employers and employees argue during meetings is that both parties are pressured by time. This is caused by their inability to start the meeting on the agreed schedule. A large meeting will always comprise of some bosses and workers arriving 15 to 30 minutes late. This causes the whole group to push back their tasks while waiting for the tardy members of the meeting.
Solution: Make it a violation to be late during meetings. Have a timekeeper who will keep the attendance — who arrives late and who is not present. This attendance sheet will help you decide on your next step for erring employees.
Inability to Make Decisions
Problem: When goals are not set at the beginning of the meeting, it is highly likely that the group won’t be able to decide on the primary purpose of the meeting. Employees — and even employers — are also sidetracked by other issues in the workplace. In fact, many meetings end without an agreement on what needs to be done on certain tasks and issues.
Solution: As a leader, you must redirect the meeting to its main focus when you feel that the members are diverting from the goals. You can also use prioritizing tools or simply put the agenda on large block letters on top of the whiteboard or the projector screen. When the participants seem too unable to break through an impasse, ask the main question again.
Silence from Participants
Problem: Some participants are dominating by nature, but you don’t have to worry about them. The people you should worry about are those who do not speak. Some people are silent by nature. Some are fearful that their ideas will be ridiculed. If you want the meeting to be successful, you need to hear from all the participants in the room.
Solution: Present a question to all participants and give them five minutes to write down their ideas. Give them enough time to present to the whole group. You can also break them down to smaller groups and have one representative from each group present their collaborated ideas.
The problems and issues during meetings should not be too hard to solve if only the leader will take matters into their own hands. As the leader of the meeting or the manager or owner of the company, it is your primary responsibility to remind employees of their tasks and goals. Set an example by arriving on time, presenting your own report, and listening to all ideas, no matter how incredulous some are.
