Are you someone who has to run meetings but doesn't know where to begin? Or are you someone who wishes they could run the meeting because the guy who is running the meeting is useless? Or maybe you're just starting your meeting facilitation journey and you're looking for ideas.Well if any of these scenarios make sense to you, then you're in the right place! Because episode 3 of the Create Awesome Meetings Podcast offers a step-by-step guide to help you run an outstanding meeting. Every time. And are the 15 steps:Figure out why you need to meetName your top three strategic objectives that make your organization profitableConnect everything that you want to accomplish in the upcoming meeting to the top three strategic objectivesChoose a great meeting locationWhere you meet is as important as what you're meeting aboutMake sure the room is beyond clean, as in, make it a place that will energize your team to reach their goalsPrepareDo the right amount of researchGo above and beyond when you prepare the agendaGive yourself some unstructured 'blue sky' time during which you can creatively prepare for the upcoming meetingKeep in touch with everyone leading up to the meetingHave a hallway chat with your colleaguesSend a question via textUse this process to weed out things you don't want to talk about at your upcoming meetingSet up earlyArrive at least 30 minutes early to make sure all technical aspects are ready and that the room is set up to help you achieve your meeting goalsGreet each person as they arriveThis is a great way to build rapportYou could ask them about their family or which sport they like to playOr you could ask them about their latest work projectIf you are the meeting leader, have someone introduce youPeople want to follow someone they trust and respectGetting an introduction will allow the whole team to learn something about you from another person's perspectiveWhen you introduce yourself, establish your credibilityYour meeting team wants to know that you have the skills to run a great meeting, so tell them a few select things that will give them the confidence that you can lead effectivelyExplain the agenda Start with an Attention-Grabber that is either funny, inspiring or seriousGive an overview of the meeting quickly so that people know what to expectHave each person introduce themselves an say why they're hereLook each person in the eye, one-by-one, and ask them to say something about themselves and also to state why they are and how they will be contributing to make the meeting more effectiveHelp people disagree productivelyProductive debate is good. Unhealthy fights are badAs a meeting facilitator you need to be able to referee disagreements effectivelyTechniques may inlcude; one person speaks; and making the disagreement about the issue and not about the peopleKeep the energy upStand up during the meetingLook at an inspring/funny Youtube videoSwitch seatsJust make sure that you have a variety of options to keep people engaged during the meetingSummarize ideas frequently and praise people whenever possibleActively listen, let the person who was talking to finish, then briefly repeat the main points of what they have said and ask the group if everyone agrees and that the point was clearWhen someone makes a great point, say something positive out loudCall to actionAt the end of the meeting have each person answer this question - "Given what we have discussed during the meeting today, say what you're going to do and when you're going to get it done."Follow upTreat each person in your meeting like they were your best customer by following up quickly and efficiently after each meetingRemember not to be hard on yourself if you can't do the steps all at once. Pick one or two to work on each week and within a few months you will easily be an expert at all of them! Not only will you and your meeting team benefit, but because your meetings will become more productive, then your organization will become more profitabl...