A meeting occurs when two or more people gather to discuss one or more topics, most often in a formal or business setting, but meetings can also take place in a variety of other settings. In essence, a business meeting is a gathering of two or more people to discuss workplace ideas, goals, and objectives. Business meetings can be held in person at an office or at a different location, or they can be conducted over the phone or via video conference.
Business meetings are typically held in an office setting, but with the advancement of video conferencing technologies, participants can join a business meeting from anywhere. A meeting is called to make a decision on a specific issue or a matter of mutual interest. A statutory meeting and an annual general meeting are required in the case of a joint-stock company. Other businesses organize a meeting to complete their business activities. The meeting’s members freely discuss the specified subject matter or issue and reach a decision at the end.
Types of Meetings
(1) Formal meeting
A formal meeting is one that is organized in accordance with official formalities, rules, and decorum. Essentially, a specified threshold must be met for such meetings to take place, such as the requirement for a minimum number of people to legitimize a sitting. Formal records of such meetings are typically kept and referred to at subsequent business meetings.
(2) Informal meeting
An informal meeting is one that is organized without adhering to official rules and regulations. A meeting of this type can be called with little notice using informal media. Most of their discussion or brainstorming sessions are not formal and, in most cases, do not necessitate the keeping of minutes. In the workplace, this type of meeting is very common. They are commonly used by business managers who want to discuss specific issues such as progress reports.
(3) Project status or update meetings
These meetings are typically held to ascertain the current status of an ongoing project. This also happens between the project manager, facilitators, and employees who are involved in the task at hand. Every participant is usually encouraged to provide insight and state any existing challenges in such meetings.
(4) Private meeting
A private meeting has been called to discuss confidential and restricted issues that the general public is not permitted to discuss. It refers to a meeting that may include external parties but is not open to the public and can only be attended by invitation from the unit hosting the meeting. Only a few people are permitted to attend the meeting.
(5) Public meeting
A public meeting is one that takes place in a public place to discuss issues of public interest. The general public is cordially invited. Public meetings are well-known, established venues for people to gather to express their views, hear a public speaker or proposed plan, participate in shared learning about a topic, or collaborate to develop solutions.
(6) Company meeting
A company meeting is called when the general manager, director, or secretary (Who has power of attorney) of a company calls a meeting to discuss issues or affairs of the company, for example, the annual general meeting. The statutory meeting, or Directors meeting, is required by company law to be held.
(7) Committee meeting
A committee meeting is called when the committee’s chief calls a meeting to discuss specific issues for which the committee was formed. It is defined as the agreement or gathering of at least a quorum of members in order to conduct either ordinary or special business of the company. Such meetings are only open to committee members.
(8) Decision-making business meetings
Running a successful business necessitates making decisions on a regular basis. To make a big decision, you need input from various groups or members of your organization, which necessitates this type of business meeting. Such decisions may necessitate several mini-decision-making meetings to allow members to gather relevant details, develop solutions, and deliberate on the best course of action.
