The Muamalat Newsletter Vol. 2 2023

21 FEM eNewsletter | Dec 2023 Productive working meetings play a pivotal role within corporate organizations, serving as dynamic forums where ideas are shared, decisions are reached, and strategies are honed (Angouri & Marra, 2010). One of their fundamental aspects is their ability to foster collaboration among team members. By amalgamating diverse perspectives and expertise, these meetings stimulate creative problem- solving and innovative thinking. Furthermore, they prove instrumental in improving communication channels and promoting alignment within the organization. Ultimately, corporations aim to enhance productivity and efficiency through these well-executed meetings. However, effective corporate meetings, although invaluable, are not devoid of challenges. Active and meaningful participation from all attendees poses a major hurdle. Striking a balance between comprehensive discussions and maintaining a concise, focused agenda remains an ongoing challenge. Decision-making, especially on critical matters, proves to be time-consuming. management and staff, recognizing the importance of cultivating productive and purposeful meeting practices within the organization. The ECM process comprises seven essential steps for meticulously planning and executing highly efficient corporate gatherings. Primarily, establishing a suitable meeting structure takes precedence. This structure includes defining meeting objectives, goals, and agendas. Clearly articulating meetingobjectivesisparamount, providing purpose and direction to discussions, and ensuring everyone comprehends the desired outcomes (Allen et al., 2014). Objectives act as guiding principles, maintaining the meeting’s focus and coherence. With precise objectives, appropriate meeting goals are set, evaluating each meeting’s results. Structuring the meeting agenda based on these objectives becomes a powerful tool for productivity. A well- organized agenda delineates discussion topics, allocates time for each item, and assigns responsibilities, preventing diversions and ensuring crucial points are covered within the allotted timeframe. A SevenSteps inCultivatingaHighly EffectiveCorporateMeeting Author: Richard Seow Mantissa College / Pole Paris Alternance (PPA) Business School Additionally, effective time management is essential, as meetings frequently run off schedule,impactingproductivity. These obstacles are among the numerous hindrances faced in conducting successful corporate meetings (Bargiela & Harris, 1997). Overcoming these challenges necessitates meticulous planning, adept facilitation, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and conducive environment for meaningful discussions. At Jia Zhong Zun Bao (Beijing) Co. Ltd., a retail company established in 2007 operating through the WeChat merchant business model, corporate meetings are an integral part of their employees’ routine. Unfortunately, excessive time spent in meetings, particularly unproductive ones, has significantly affected their productivity. Despite the challenges, corporate meetings are indispensable and vital to the company’s operations. Therefore, an internal training program titled “Effective Corporate Meetings” (ECM) was conducted by Mr. Richard Seow in October 2023. This training aimed to instill an appropriate meeting culture among the