In order for group meetings to be as efficient and productive as possible, choosing a suitable time for everyone involved is essential. There are a few important factors to take into account when deciding on an appropriate meeting time.
Firstly, it can be difficult to find a specific day of the week that suits all group members and obviously, there will have to be adjustments made from time to time. However, it is very beneficial to have a set day for a meeting to take place and to get into a cycle of meeting regularly. Monday and Friday are two days that are not ideal as regular meeting days, with weekends often extending due to public holidays or people just feeling the need for a three-day break. Also, people can tend to find themselves stuck in ‘weekend mode’, particularly on a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon. For these reasons it is generally accepted that the best days for meetings are Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
Choosing a suitable time of day to meet is also important in order to maximise efficiency. Early morning meetings can be difficult as group members may need to prepare the night before, or if they don’t have time, they can turn up underprepared. Meeting too late in the afternoon can also be detrimental as people might be starting to get tired and can lose focus quickly. Mid-morning is commonly seen as an ideal time to conduct a meeting, as people are settled into their day, have had their first coffee and are feeling fresh.
Organising a lunch or dinner at a restaurant can also be a relaxed and fun way to meet with your group. Not only can a meeting be seen as a way to share referrals and discuss business, but it can also be a chance to catch up and enjoy each others company.
Communication is the key to determining the most suitable time for your specific group to meet and it will no doubt vary for different people and businesses. However, these points can be useful to think about, especially in the early stages of forming a business referral network.