> Crucially though, people must read the document prior to the meeting
Amazon accounted for this:
"Each meeting requires a well-crafted, six-page memo that the whole room sits and reads at the start."
https://www.businessinsider.com/bezos-admits-amazon-has-the-...
Thanks for the thoughtful comments; Amazon's methods are certainly not the way to do things, but they are a way that works for them and I think it's worthwhile to understand how and why, in depth.
> This is very much a cultural thing. It's extremely difficult to apply to just your meetings.
This is so, so true. But keep trying, if you believe in it.
Having a consistent structure to meetings – with clear requirements such as a two page document in clear no-frills language detailing the reason for the meeting, background, questions and potential solutions etc. – may well seem draconian to many people these days, but I find it helps with focus and clarity. Combined with a clear vision (my number one ask from leadership) I think it really helps boost productivity even if it does take time to prepare. At least that cost is fairly easy to account for, whereas the follow-up cost to bad meetings often isn't. Crucially though, people must read the document prior to the meeting – no excuses – or you'll end up with the first half or third spent on just reading the document or having to recite it to those that haven't read it. It's perhaps still better than the subject line agenda style meetings, but possibly not by much.
This is very much a cultural thing. It's extremely difficult to apply to just your meetings. I've tried.