Why do sales people abhor meetings? Below is a list of reasons sales people gave us.

• I already know what you are saying.
• The meetings are boring.
• I am overhead-ed to death. There is only so much you can do with PowerPoint.
• I get talked-down to.
• Profit, or lack thereof, does not make a good meeting.
• The chairs are uncomfortable.
• There is no agenda and ramble is the name of the game.
• I want to be out selling.
• Someone who knows little about how to run a meeting runs it.
• The top sales people are always complimenting themselves. (That is okay if one of them is me.)
• Most of the things discussed could be done in a memo.
• I hate cold cuts.
  

Try this the next time you plan a meeting.

• Have an agenda. Follow it!
• Get the attendees to help present or lead.
• Keep overheads simple and to the point.
• Prepare written materials and handouts.
• Attendees can read. Don't do it for them.
• Present problems that have solutions.
• Do not chastise people.
• Have different people responsible for different portions of the meeting.
• Be positive.
• Do not preach.
• Have a comfortable meeting room.
• Be aware of various eating habits.
• Don't threaten.
• Don't complain.
  

Good luck at your next meeting. Sorry I won't be there, I have to be someplace else.