5 meetings you need to organise for the New Year

A New Year can mean a new start – but you can’t ignore the past.

January is a great month for transitioning from last year’s results to next year’s targets. And these 5 meetings will help you do exactly that.

Get them in your diary now…

1. The 2015 review
Now the figures are in and everyone has settled down after Christmas, you can look back objectively on the year. Go over the highlights and lowlights and try and find areas that you can improve.

This meeting should be attended by pretty much everyone in your company as it concerns them all. Ask employees to send in questions beforehand if they have any pressing issues for the year – it’s a good place to air grievances.

2. One-to-ones
Once everyone knows where the company stands it’s time to have a few select one-to-one meetings. While you probably won’t have time to meet with everyone, select a few key people to sit down and have a chat with.

These could be staff whose work has been exceptionally good over the past year and who you want to discuss their future with. Or, it could be those who have struggled and you might want to see what it is that’s holding them back.

You’ll also need to meet with the various heads of department to get reports on how they performed last year and what their plans are for 2016.

3. The money men
At some point, you’re going to have to have a sit down with the men in the finance department.

You’ll have provided the headline figures at your 2015 review meeting but now is the time to go over the fine details – see where you can make cuts, find any money for growth and, generally, see where you are as a company.

4. Marketing
Lots of companies use the turning of the calendar to mark a fresh start and the marketing team are the perfect people to help get this message across – not just to clients and customers but also to your staff.

Set out what you want people to think of the company over the coming year, markets or locations that you feel you’re underrepresented and plans for everything from social media campaigns to rebranding.

5. Your PA
Finally, once you’ve ticked off all the above meetings sit down with your Personal Assistant and work out how you’re going to make it all happen and when.

Sort out your diary so you’ve got major events and catch up meetings planned in. You could even organise a new, more efficient way of working yourself so you’re not constantly running from one meeting to the next.

Posted by Sara Cano