Golden rules for meetings

Standardization is based on the consensus between parties. Meetings are a privileged mode of
work to achieve such a consensus. People who participate in meetings usually have different
responsibilities. Their viewpoints and expectations may differ. However, in order to be successful
some basic rules need to be respected by all participants in meetings. The Golden Rules
reproduced below can be of particular help when acting as a chairman, convenor, or secretary,
and will also be of interest to experts and delegates participating in an ISO (or any) meeting.

What to do
1. Prepare all meetings meticulously
2. Start the meeting on time
3. State clear objectives for meetings
4. Adhere to agreed timescales
5. Stick to the agenda
6. Ensure effective discussion
7. Summarize discussions from time to
time
8. Gain acceptance and commitment
9. Listen ! Don't interrupt !
10.Be to the point and keep it short !
11.Know when to say "NO", but offer
alternatives
12.State decisions arising from meetings
and allocate responsibilities
13.End the meeting on time
14.Follow-up on decisions and actions in
line with target dates
How to do it
Ensure timely notification of meetings; prepare
and circulate agenda for meetings well in
advance; ensure relevant documents are to
hand; ensure that the meeting room suitably
prepared and all materials available
Check the acceptance of the proposed agenda;
identify anything special, like problems,
constraints, or limitations; specific tasks
Introduce topics for discussion; draw out
opinions, viewpoints, and experiences; develop
the group’s interest and involvement; keep
tasks within the stated scope and tasks of the
meeting
Recognize degrees of feeling and changes of
opinion; summarize points of agreement and
disagreement; state intermediate conclusions
as they are reached; check understanding and
acceptance
Summarize and state conclusion/s clearly; gain
commitment for the action plan; state
responsibility for actions; make sure everybody
understands
Establish conclusions

GOLDEN.DOC/Version 97.1(E)/98-03-23 ©ISO 1998