Planning Breakfast Meeting

Business meetings have evolved from the boring boardroom discussions to something more appetizing.  Up to recent times, food has been included into the meetings as it also increases energy as well as stimulates the brain, making business meetings flow with ideas as well as establish rapport between colleagues.

Breakfast meetings have been the event of choice among business people who wanted that energy boost without the fullness, and the expense, of an executive lunch.  Although breakfast meetings can be productive and motivating, it takes planning and careful coordination in order to pull off a good meeting.

Send out an agenda

Type the list of topics that your group would be meeting about.  Print them out in several copies and distribute it among the people who will be attending the meeting.  Having an agenda helps them prepare for the meeting, as well as the confidence that work will be done.

Have coffee first

Do not start your breakfast meeting right away with the first topic in your agenda.  Have yourselves a cup or two of coffee and a plate of light breakfast.  This gives people a chance to greet, catch up, and get comfortable with each other.  A breakfast also gives added incentive to attendees to get there before the official meeting begins.

Make the food worthwhile

Discuss with your caterer about the menu for your breakfast meeting.  Doughnuts are a safe bet, but you also have to provide other options as well depending on your colleagues eating habits and even customs (in the case of foreign associates).

Set a firm start time

Indicate in the invitation what time the meeting would begin and you need to stick to it.  Do not wait around for everyone to arrive.  There may be a late arrival or two on your first meetings, but eventually people will understand you are serious and get to the following breakfast meetings on time.

End the meeting on time

Your colleagues have a busy day planned and overly long meetings can be viewed as inconsiderate.  Indicate on the invite when the meeting is expected to end and stick to it as well.  People will appreciate your sense of punctuality and focus.