The success of your next meeting depends upon whom you invite. Here's what to consider.

1) Invite only people who can contribute to the meeting. Spectators bog down the process.

2) Avoid filling the meeting with allies as a show of force. This intimidates your "opponent," which can result in counter attacks, retaliation, or false cooperation.

3) Avoid inviting people because they would feel offended if left out. A meeting is a business activity, not a party. You can always ask the person to choose between watching others work in a meeting or being left to work on tasks that contribute to raises and promotions.

4) Be sure to invite the stakeholder (the person who owns the issue). This person is a valuable resource in finding solutions.

5) Make sure the opponents to issues attend your meetings. They can help you find equitable solutions that they will support. Without them, any results that you develop are likely to prove useless.

6) Invite key participants with minor roles to only the part of the meeting where they can contribute. Schedule these parts of the agenda at the beginning of the meeting or when you resume after a break.

7) Invite spectators for good reasons. For example, you may invite a new employee to learn about an issue; you may include members of other organizations to win empathy for your needs, you may invite an outsider to catalyze creative thinking.

8) In general, meetings that are held to make plans, seek solutions, or reach agreements work best when eight to twelve people attend.

9) Any number of people can attend parties, social meetings, lectures, or demonstrations.

Note: Learn more about Effective Meetings at: http://www.squidoo.com/OneGreatMeeting/

Steve Kaye

Steve Kaye helps leaders hold effective meetings. He is an Certified Professional Facilitator (with the International Association of Facilitators), author, and speaker.

Since 1992 his innovative workshops have informed and inspired people nationwide. Clients include Avery Dennison, IBM, and Unocal.

His workshop topics include:

* One Great Meeting - How to plan and conduct meetings that produce results others will support

* The Human Side of Communication - How to win trust, earn respect, and establish rapport

* Winning Words - How to design and deliver presentations that inspire and impress people

* Behavior Styles - How to get along with others

As a meeting facilitator, he helps people obtain results that they could not obtain by working on their own. Read about examples on his web site.

He is the author of:

* The Manager's Pocket Guide to Effective Meetings

* Meetings in an Hour or Less

* 117 Tips for Effective Meetings

With a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and 20 years of experience working for major corporations, Steve specializes in working with engineers, scientists, and high tech professionals.

Call 714-528-1300 or visit his web site for over 130 pages of information (including program details, client guides, FAQs, cartoons, and more).