
Our recent LinkedIn survey revealed that almost 40% of respondents associate the ineffectiveness of a meeting with the lack of decisions made, while 34% point the finger at the participants' lack of preparation.

Indeed, meetings dictate our weeks and petrify our calendars. However, they remain a central element in collaboration and mark the echelons of project management.

In this article, we address these issues and suggest a few best practices that will have the advantage of optimizing your meetings.



## Problem n°1: Promoting decision-making at meetings

### 🎯 Systematically setting objectives

The meeting leader must be clear about the objectives of the meeting. Depending on the objectives and their deadlines, it is important to systematically [define in advance the decisions to be taken](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/6877940-voting-decision-preparing-the-decision-on-a-vote) and mention them in the agenda. 

### 🗣️  Assign decision-making authority 

It is advisable to define a meeting moderator or to [assign responsibility for each topic to a specific person](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/5747620-define-the-presenter-of-a-topic). In this way, this person ensures that the matter reaches a decision before moving on to the next item. 

### 🗳️  Putting to the vote 

Decision-making can be facilitated by [voting](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/6877940-voting-decision-preparing-the-decision-on-a-vote). When a decision is taken within a group, voting can  reach a collegial decision. Voting puts an end to endless discussion and allows the group to move on to the next issue.  

### ✅   Formalizing decision-making 

It's important to record decisions clearly in the minutes. The [record of any decision must be easily accessible](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/2614315-view-all-decisions-made-in-meetings) to avoid wasting time searching for information. 


##  Problem n°2: Encourage participants to prepare themselves

### 👀  Reading discussion material in advance

[Send information and documents](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/5959542-share-a-meeting) dealing with the various topics in advance so that participants can prepare themselves. Reading the issues in advance ensures that they are dealt with more quickly, thus reducing the length of the meeting.   

### 🗓️  Initiate debate before the meeting

By mentioning any [questions or decisions](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/5701398-types-of-blocks) to be made on the agenda, participants can prepare themselves for the debate.  

### 👤 Empowering participants

The meeting initiator does not have to run the entire session. On the contrary, by [appointing a member of staff as presenter](https://help.wedo.com/en/articles/5747620-define-the-presenter-of-a-topic) for a topic in which he or she is involved, he or she will by nature be better prepared and more responsible for managing the project. In addition, the change of presenter will have the advantage of giving the meeting a rhythm.

### ❎  Consistency in the participation of certain employees

A lack of preparation or investment on the part of an employee can sometimes mean that his or her presence is perhaps not relevant.

![Préparation d'un ordre du jour](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/ca_preparer_odj_d6adef1deb.png)


Collaborative upstream work can radically improve meeting productivity and participant involvement. 

WEDO is a cloud-based solution that enables all team and company members to manage their meeting agendas. Agenda items and content are automatically transferred from one meeting to the next, ensuring the traceability of projects, tasks and decisions. 

The platform is compatible with the management of all types of meetings, from board meetings to HR meetings, as well as regular or exceptional project management sessions.


::button-primary[Request a free demo]{link="/demo"}


Our recent LinkedIn survey revealed that almost 40% of respondents associate the inefficiency of a meeting with the lack of decisions made, while 34% point the finger at the lack of preparation on the part of participants.

This article addresses these issues and suggests a few best practices to optimize your meetings.

People havin a discussion during a meeting

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What are the main disruptive elements in our meetings?

## The organization of a Board of Directors

Companies in any field frequently meet with their board of directors to agree on major strategic decisions. This formal meeting must be well organized and conducted efficiently to facilitate the exchange and communication with the board members. It is, therefore, essential to use the necessary digital tools to improve the organization and follow-up of these meetings. These technological solutions must meet security requirements to allow secure communication and access.
Do you need help to ensure effective follow-up and organization of your board meetings? Then, we have the solution to help you!
WEDO is a meeting management tool that lends itself perfectly to preparing and monitoring boards of directors for many reasons. We suggest you discover 7 steps that show you how our collaborative platform supports the organization of Boards of Directors.

 🗓️ 👩‍💼👨‍💼🧑‍💼

## 1. Prepare your CA

### 📂 Organize the documents

If you are involved in preparing for your company's Board of Directors meetings, first organize all the documents that will be presented at the meeting, such as financial reports, sales reports, and marketing updates. Ensuring all documents are well-given, complete, and easy to understand is essential.

###  ✍🏻 Prepare reports

If you are responsible for presenting reports, prepare them well before the meeting. Ensure they are clear, and concise and contain all the relevant information for the meeting.

###  ❔ Identify key issues

Finally, before the meeting, identify the key issues or areas of concern that will be addressed during the session. Then, be prepared to offer ideas, suggestions, or recommendations if necessary.

Once you have prepared these initial points, focus on establishing the topics discussed at the meeting: your agenda.

##  2. Set the agenda

###  📣 Determine what topics to address

Topics discussed at board meetings may vary depending on the organization. They may include:

- financial reports;
- operational updates; and
- Strategic planning;
- Risk management;
- legal compliance;
- Ongoing projects;
- Voting;
- and other matters of importance to the organization.

###  📋 Create your base frame

The items discussed are often the same from one board to the next. Be sure to identify recurring themes to save valuable time preparing for future meetings.

###  🗣️ Choose theme presenters

The speakers may vary depending on the theme. Therefore, it is essential to define who should prepare the agenda items or simply who will be the presenters of the topic. This will reinforce the collaborative aspect of the preparation of the meeting. All members will be involved in the upcoming session.

###  📎 Joignez les fichiers aux bonnes thématiques

Au préalable, l’idée est de préparer les documents et rapports à partager avec votre CA. Prenez le temps en amont d’également les joindre aux différentes thématiques de votre ordre du jour afin que les participants puissent les lire et les annoter avant le jour J. Une réunion bien préparée améliorera son efficacité ! 

##  3. Manage access to the meeting

It is expected that access to a CA meeting needs to be finely managed to choose who can see what and especially when. If your tool allows it, try to control the access to the meeting and the role of your participants according to its stages. This will enable you to prepare your agenda according to these different rights and not worry about access beyond the preparation. Determine who are editors, readers, or those who do not have access.

##  4. Integrate the votes

#### 🗳️ Determine voters

Choose who is allowed to vote. Then determine how you will collect the results. Different options are possible:

- digital votes by each voter ;
- a show of hands during the session;
- and collecting votes, with the secretary transcribing the results at the end of the meeting.

####  ☑️ Allocate shares

Voting is integral to the Board of Directors' process since members are often asked to vote on strategic decisions affecting the company. Therefore, be sure to allocate shares according to the decision-making weight of each voter.

####  🟢 Require quorum

In the event of a vote, and if you have allocated shares, you must verify at the beginning of each board meeting that a quorum is present. A quorum is the minimum number of shares based on those present at the meeting.

####  👤 Allow anonymous voting

Determine for a meeting whether you will allow anonymous voting. This should be determined before the meeting, or at least before voting opens.

####  🚫 Hide voting results until close

Depending on the internal operation, it may be necessary to hide the votes until they are closed. Ensure this is the case for the votes processed during your board of directors.

####  🔨 Write pre-decisions

To save time processing the votes, you can write the pre-decisions resulting from them. This is possible if you can imagine the outcomes of the votes. You can prepare a pre-decision for each possible answer. 

##  5. Write the minutes

###  💻 Writing by the Secretary

For this very formal meeting, the writing of the minutes is usually entrusted to a secretary. Here is how this person will compose their minutes.

#### ✍🏻 Paragraphs

Add well-structured paragraphs to reflect the discussions in the plenary. The idea is to proceed systematically and be as transparent as possible while favoring a simple style and short sentences. Think about your future readers from the start!

#### 🗳️ Votes

During the drafting process, validate the votes prepared beforehand and decide on the final decision.

#### 🔨 Decisions

Highlight essential decisions made during the board meeting. The idea is that from the minutes, each member can see all the strategic decisions that the meeting has decided upon.

#### ✅ Tasks

Make a clear list of tasks that flow from the decisions approved by the board. You can also already assign tasks to the people in charge, determining their priority and due date. By doing this, you will have your members up and running by the end of the meeting. Then, everyone knows what needs to be done and by when.

###  👀 Private note-taking by members

####  ✏️ Add private notes to the minutes

Encourage your members to prepare in advance by taking private notes. The idea is also to have them write their notes and comments during the meeting to ensure they understand what is expected.

####  📝 Annotate attached files

The notes can also be added directly to the files and documents attached to the agenda and meeting minutes. The goal is for members to find their written interventions exactly where they belong.

##  6. Follow up on tasks

Track the progress of tasks from one meeting to the next to ensure that deadlines are met. Then, if your tool allows it, simply import your tasks into the next meeting's agenda to see if they were completed on time.

##  7. Give access to the minutes

At the end of the meeting and after the proofreading stage, control access to the minutes so that each member can review the minutes of the discussions. This will allow members to record everything that was discussed during the meeting. At the end, share the minutes with all members to encourage them to review them as soon as possible after the board meeting.

##  ✅ WEDO's advantages for your CA management

We talked earlier about the importance of choosing an excellent tool to manage and track the progress of your board meetings. WEDO develops the ideal collaborative platform for efficient meeting management. So why will our solution be your best ally for board meetings? Here is a summary:

**📋 You collaboratively prepare your agenda.**
![bod-prepare-agenda.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/bod_prepare_agenda_7476ddda20.png)

**🔐 You manage access to the meeting.**
![bod-access-meeting.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/bod_access_meeting_ac15c4df9d.png)

**🗳️ You integrate the votes into your board.**
![bod-votes.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/bod_votes_c631be7608.png)

**⌨️ You write your report in real-time directly on the platform and allow the participants to take their private notes.**
![ca-writing-minutes.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/ca_writing_minutes_7aa178ad22.png)

**✅ You track tasks from one meeting to the next by importing ongoing and completed tasks.**
![bod-tasks-tracking.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/bod_tasks_tracking_21b36c4285.png)

**👀 You provide access to the minutes directly after the meeting and email them to members from the platform.**
![ca-access-meeting-minutes.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/ca_access_meeting_minutes_b8cb3e8b91.png)

>**Do you want to test WEDO for your next board meeting? Then, our experts will introduce you to the tool and help you prepare your first agenda in 30 minutes.**

::button-primary[Contact our experts]{link="/demo"}

## Some examples of our clients who use WEDO to manage their board of directors
![wedo-customer-board-of-directors.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/wedo_customer_board_of_directors_d91a634e29.png)



Efficiently organize & conduct board meetings w/ WEDO - a secure, digital meeting management tool. Enhance communication & follow-up with our 7-step collaborative platform.

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Organize your Board of Directors with WEDO

Today, there is more public interest in the activities of the financial industry than ever before. Data protection is essential to prevent cyberattacks that can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. The banking and financial industries must invest in robust data security measures: employee training, access controls, encryption, and regular assessments are essential to any effective strategy.

Last November, the business management software "Winbiz", was the victim of a virulent cyberattack leading to the temporary shutdown of the software. The software host was storing sensitive information.

The software used by organizations represents a significant risk. Today, cloud platforms are considered as irreplaceable allies of administrative professions: they help us manage human resources, track projects, share files and content, build a customer history, etc. However, each more sensitive than the last, this data must be subject to strict and robust measures to prevent cyber threats and to comply with regulatory requirements.

The advent of telecommuting in recent years reinforces the importance of data protection through the software employees use. Thus, the choice of software must be documented for a secure integration. The criteria to be taken into account during the selection are the following:


### Data hosting

#### Data storage location:

Some companies are surprised to learn that their data is stored in a third country. SaaS provider is free to host their data in any country they choose, regardless of where their headquarters are located. Knowing the hosting country is crucial to ensure that the country in question has strong, strict and transparent legal and political stability.

If the data is stored in a trustworthy country, ensuring that the provider does not practice "temporary data transfer" is also relevant. This phenomenon, more frequently used by global IT providers, implies that the data passes through foreign servers before being stored in Switzerland. It is, therefore, essential to verify that this transfer is legal and complies with GDPR standards.

#### Reliability of the hosting provider:

Certifications standardize the information security of web hosts. Among them, the most recognized certification is ISO/IEC 27001.


### Data protection certification

Companies that outsource their critical systems and processes need to ensure that vendors have strict, independent controls over data management. One such independent certification is SOC 2, issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and used by organizations in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry. It assures customers that the organization has designed and implemented adequate controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This standard has existed in the United States for many years and has a worldwide equivalent in ISO 270001.

![soc certification.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Frame_7soc_certification_3fa9275dcb.png)

Switzerland is considered to be behind the US and the rest of Europe concerning SOC 2 reporting. The first significant moves towards certification were made by large companies subject to strict regulations, such as the financial sector. These companies require their service providers to comply with the SOC 2 standard and provide an annual report to meet internal and external requirements. *1

### Authentication and account access

Software of any kind is a critical source of information for an organization. Thus, access to the tool must be secure, so it is recommended to inquire about the availability of the following features:

- Availability of two-factor authentication
- Availability of SAML authentication, if relevant for the customer
- Possibility of managing rights in a personalized way within the tool, in order to only give access to information to the persons concerned.

### Encryption

If a company uses a web application, it must ensure that the app in question uses an HTTPS connection secured by SSL certificates to prevent espionage on the web and email correspondence. In addition to encryption in transit, data encryption at rest prevents a situation like the one experienced by WinBiz and its customers.

### WEDO: the secure solution for collaboration in the financial sector

Sensitive topics and privacy policies are at the heart of employees' daily tasks in the financial industry. From task management to the content of all kinds of meetings, such as team meetings, bilateral talks, customer/insurer meetings, and board meetings, the traceability of discussions is as crucial as their discretion.

The WEDO SaaS software, developed and hosted in Switzerland, is a collaborative platform designed to address security challenges in sensitive sectors. Thanks to its task manager and its customizable meeting module, the platform makes it possible to share files and centralize the information necessary for team collaboration while giving the possibility to configure the access rights of each user.


::button-secondary[Learn more about security]{link="/security"}


## They trusted WEDO to manage their internal collaboration:
![wedo-customer-board-of-directors.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/wedo_customer_board_of_directors_d91a634e29.png)

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}



::button-primary[Try WEDO for free]{link="/signup"}

[^2]: Source : [KPMG](https://kpmg.com/ch/de/blogs/home/posts/2021/01/soc-switzerland.html)

Today, there is more public interest in the activities of the financial industry than ever before. Data protection is essential to prevent cyberattacks that can lead to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage.

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Collaborate securely in the financial sector

In this article published in the April 2023 issue of PME Magazine | Focus IT & Digital, we discuss the place of people in an environment that is becoming increasingly digital.

(Article only available in French)

![article dans le PME MAGAZINE | Digitaliser au profit de l’humain](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2903_PME_IT_1_19_1_91e9506501.png)

Digitizing, yes, but with the aim of raising the human element. David Dutch and Antoine Sudan, creators of the WEDO software, have always wanted to put the human element at the heart of the digitalization process of a company.

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PME MAGAZINE | Digitalising for the benefit of people

It's time to get out the brooms and rags to do spring cleaning in your task lists and work environment! Take the opportunity to throw out anything that is no longer needed, update what needs to be updated and focus on the most critical tasks.

Sorting and cleaning your to-do lists will have a beneficial effect on your productivity. All you have to do is block off an hour in your calendar, pour yourself a cup of coffee, start your favorite playlist, and get to work!

## Here are some steps to get your projects in order:

1. Make a list of all your current tasks - this will allow you to see the scope of your current and upcoming projects so you can anticipate a possible lack of resources and prevent potential delays. For more clarity in tracking your projects, it is recommended to use a task manager that will allow you to centralize your tasks and those of your colleagues.
2. Prioritize your tasks - this will help you focus on the most critical tasks with the shortest due dates and the most severe consequences for poor execution.
3. Evaluate your tasks - ask yourself if all tasks are necessary, still relevant, or could be updated or deleted.
4. Eliminate redundant or unnecessary tasks - free up time and resources to focus on more important tasks.
5. Update your tasks - if they need updating, change them to keep them relevant.
6. Delegate - if a task doesn't seem relevant to your skills or job description, discuss with your colleagues and supervisors whether you should delegate it to a colleague.

Beyond your task lists, you can extend your spring cleaning to your work environment. Get rid of unnecessary things and rethink your organization to make a fresh start.

1. Spend a few minutes on your personal storage space, such as a locker or drawer. File or scan documents that must be filed to eliminate unnecessary or non-functional items.
2. Your mind will be lightened with an orderly workstation. To do this, sort out your desk. Put away your documents, throw away pens that haven't had ink in months, and collect all your *Post-its* and notes encroaching on your space. A digitalized task and note manager is highly recommended to avoid forgetting information written on loose sheets.
3. Sort out your computer desktop. Computer screens are often overwhelmed with files left there "momentarily" Here is an opportunity to sort or delete them to rediscover your desktop.

Spring cleaning is a rite of passage that guarantees guaranteed satisfaction and well-being, even if sometimes perceived as a chore.

If you want to digitalize, centralize and manage tasks collaboratively within your company, request a free demo of the WEDO collaborative platform.

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

It's time to get out the brooms and rags to do spring cleaning in your task lists and work environment! Discover our tips.

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Task Management: The Big Spring Clean!

## What is agility?

According to Jérôme Barrand, head of the Institute of Organisational Agility in Grenoble, agility is the capacity of a company to be reactive, flexible and innovative. It must also be able to anticipate future changes in order to adapt to them. It cannot wait for the environment in which it operates to force it to do so.

To be able to face these challenges, human-sized work teams must be learning, connected and autonomous. The aim is for everyone to find their place in the team and thus have a global vision of the company's organisational systems. Also, the agile culture advocates a light but sufficient hierarchical framework. The human element as well as communication are central to the organisation[^1] [^2]

## SCRUM method

Different methods exist to help companies in their quest for agility. SCRUM, which originated in the IT world, but which is becoming more and more popular, is one of them and is very widespread. This iterative and adaptive method always seeks a collective optimum[^3]

The first form of SCRUM appeared in an article by Takeuchi and Nonaka in 1986. They compare the so-called traditional approach to "a relay race" and the so-called holistic approach to "a rugby scrum" (SCRUM). "The relay race is a development process where teams of specialists pass the baton to each other once they have completed their task.  In contrast, in the "rugby" approach, where specialists try to complete the task by passing the ball from back to front (as in a rugby team), the development process is totally different. [^4]

Indeed, the SCRUM method, officially developed by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland a few years after this first article, is based on short cycles called "sprints". These usually last between one and four weeks. Each sprint begins with a planning meeting where the team defines the goals to be achieved and the tasks to be accomplished. During the sprint, the team works independently to achieve the defined goals. Every day, the team meets for a short follow-up meeting called "Daily SCRUM". During this meeting, each team member presents what they have accomplished since the last meeting and what they plan to do during the day.

At the end of each sprint, the team meets for a retrospective, during which they evaluate their progress and look for ways to improve the development process for the next sprints.

The SCRUM method is particularly useful for projects that are subject to frequent changes or where it is difficult to plan all the details in advance. It allows for rapid delivery of high quality products, close collaboration between team members and better responsiveness to changes. [^5]

Unlike traditional project methods, SCRUM does not plan years in advance and present a solution only at the end of the project. The goal of SCRUM is to divide the business requirements into the smallest possible increments and thus deliver many, finished results in short intervals. In this way, it is possible to take action after each sprint should a requirement or priority change. This not only saves time and costs, but also keeps the process agile and customer-oriented.

## Why WEDO is ideal for an agile company

In accordance with the above explanations, it is understood that the agile method is in fact a culture and a state of mind that must be spread throughout the company. David Preti, in his article "Doing Agile" versus "Being Agile", also shares this vision:

>Agility is not defined by a set of practices, but rather by a state of mind that one cultivates.   [^6]

WEDO presents itself as the ideal tool to cultivate this mindset and share an agile culture within the company. Indeed, thanks to WEDO, it is possible to efficiently manage the different types of meetings of the SCRUM method, but not only. The collaborative platform also allows you to be permanently connected to information and to your team members. Whether you are working from home or from the office, communication is easy. In addition, WEDO's teams and workspaces make the company more responsive and better organised. Each team member can easily consult their tasks and have a clear overview of what they have to do. This task overview can also be displayed in Kanban view, which is particularly useful for project management.

## The limits of the agile method

But then why hasn't the agile method, which sounds so beneficial in theory, already found its way into all companies?

The fifteenth edition of the State of Agile report, produced by the company [digital.ai](https://www.notion.so/Marketing-Archive-54946373b74e43eb98b5d502b858035c), provides some answers. According to the report, the main problems identified by more than 1,380 people worldwide in the adoption and practice of agile are the following:

- Inconsistent processes and practices between teams - 46%.
- Organisational culture not aligned with agile values - 43%.
- Resistance to change from the overall organisation - 42%.
- Lack of competence/experience with agile methods - 42%.
- Insufficient leadership involvement - 41%.
- Insufficient management support and sponsorship - 40%.

The report states that the main challenges mentioned above have remained largely unchanged in recent years. [^7]

Interestingly, then, these problems are not new and unknown. Other articles on this topic also point out the same limitations.

In summary, it is essential for a company that wants to implement agility sustainably into its structure to consider the points mentioned above. The list is certainly not exhaustive, but it will help the company avoid certain mistakes on its way to agility. One thing is certain: agility is a real challenge, and as the saying goes, "it's worth the effort".


**Sources :**

[^1]: BARRAND, Jérôme, 2010. L’entreprise agile : agir pour une performance durable. Paris : Dunod. Stratégies et management. ISBN 978-2-10-054346-5. 658.515.

[^2]: BARRAND, Jérôme, 2012. Le manager agile : agir autrement pour la survie des entreprises. 2e éd. Paris : Dunod. Stratégies et management. ISBN 978-2-10-057460-5. 658.401.

[^3]: SCHMITT, Christophe, 2016. De la complexité de l’action dans les organisations. ISBN 978-2-940384-36-05.

[^4]: TAKEUCHI, Hirotaka et NONAKA, Ikujiro, 1986. Stop running the relay race and take up rugby. Harvard Business Review. 1986. pp. 11.

[^5]: SCHWABER, Ken et SUTHERLAND, Jeff, 2020. The Scrum Guide:The Definitive Guide to Scrum: The Rules of the Game. novembre 2020.

[^6]: PRETI, David, « Faire de l’Agilité » versus « être Agile » - Blogue Savoir Agile. [en ligne]. [Consulté le 6 décembre 2022]. Disponible à l’adresse : [https://savoiragile.com/2017/02/07/faire-de-lagilite-versus-etre-agile/](https://savoiragile.com/2017/02/07/faire-de-lagilite-versus-etre-agile/)

[^7]: [DIGITAL.AI](http://digital.ai/), 2021. 15th Annual State Of Agile Report. 2021.

In a world where everything is moving fast and change is permanent, a company must be agile. This article will explain how to become more agile in order to better face this growing complexity.

Drawings representing the concepts of agility in project management

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When agility becomes a necessity

From new features to milestones, relive the year 2022 with us. ✨

A look back at the objectives reached in 2022

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2022 | Our Year in Review

"With WEDO, all meetings are managed efficiently and easily by our bank and our Board of Directors." 🚀

Check out the testimonial of Antonella Andenmatten, team leader at Raiffeisen Bank Mischabel-Matterhorn, who tells us how they use WEDO.🎬

Thanks to the whole team at Erlebnisbank - Raiffeisen Mischabel-Matterhorn for the kind welcome and the time spent to make this video!

Don't forget to activate the subtitles to access the English version.

🎦: www.air-production.ch

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"With WEDO, all meetings are managed efficiently and easily by our bank and our Board of Directors."

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Check out the testimonial of Antonella Andenmatten, team leader at Raiffeisen Bank Mischabel-Matterhorn

How can you ensure optimal organization of your meetings?

Find out in the new issue of Erfolg magazine. The article explains the importance of assigning specific roles to the various participants.

Enjoy the read! (Article only in German)



::button-primary[Read the article]{link="https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/WEDO_ideale_Tool_5c1a6e5c9e.pdf"}

How can you ensure optimal organization of your meetings? Find out in the new issue of Erfolg magazine. The article explains the importance of assigning specific roles to the various participants. Enjoy the read! (Article only in German)

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WEDO, the ideal tool for efficient meetings

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At a time when the pyramidal management system inspired by Taylor and Ford is perceived as rigid and culturally obsolete, new forms of work organization are gradually emerging.¹ Self-management models are an important part of these new organizational structures.

Self-management models are an important part of these new organizational structures. To understand why organizations are adopting these self-management models, we need to understand what managers want most from their organizations: reliability and adaptability. All organizations want to achieve, to some extent, both reliability and adaptability. But one usually overshadows the other. Indeed, too much reliability creates rigidity and can make companies insensitive to changing markets. Conversely, if companies place too much emphasis on adaptability, they risk becoming dispersed and losing sight of their raison d'être. In an attempt to reconcile reliability and adaptability, holacracy, the best-known and most widely practiced model of self-management, helps to achieve this balance.²

## But what is holacracy?

According to Bernard Marie Chiquet, founder of IGI Partners (the company that imports holacracy to Europe from the USA), holacracy is a practice that promotes responsibility and cooperation in the service of the company's raison d'être. In this practice, there is no longer a manager as such, but everyone is invited to manage themselves, and is expected to demonstrate leadership. This is not to say that there is no structure. Holacracy refers to a “holarchic structure”. Here's a diagram illustrating how this structure works:

![Graphic depicting the circle structure and roles in Holacracy, showing how autonomous teams and interconnected roles operate without traditional hierarchy.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Holacratiezero_waste_1_a93adb54f3.jpg)

### The super circle
Also known as the company's general circle, it represents
the company as a whole. In particular, it is made up of the 1ᵉʳ and 2ᵉ link of
each sub-circle.

### The sub-circle
The sub-circle represents autonomous teams where each person has a role and
working towards the same goal. Sub-circles are formed or dissolved according to
needs of the organization.

### Role
The role is a set of responsibilities within the organization. Roles can be
can be created, modified or cancelled. People usually have more than one role
in several circles. There are operational roles and structural
structural roles. The various structural roles, which are less concerned with operational tasks, must guarantee the smooth running of the team (= sub
circle), both within it and within the organization. The two main roles are
structural roles:
    - **1ᵉʳ link:** in each sub-circle, one person takes on the role of coach, similar to the leader or manager in a pyramid system. This person's responsibilities include assigning roles, managing finances and priorities, coaching team members, and maintaining a good atmosphere. These tasks take up around 10% of his or her time, the rest being devoted to other roles depending on his or her skills.
    - **2ᵉ link:** is responsible for escalating a tension from a sub-circle to the super
    circle if it exceeds the authority of the sub-circle in question.

Also, in order to be better organized and more efficient than in a so-called classical structure, the “holarchic structure” relies on three [types of meetings](https://wedo.com/features/meetings) :

- **Strategic meetings** to define the company's direction.
- **Governance meetings**, the purpose of which is to work on the organization without addressing operational issues.
- **Tactical Meetings**, whose purpose is to work within the organization, i.e. on concrete (operational) subjects to be developed.

During these sessions, strict order, rules and roles must be respected. Each participant is invited to speak in turn and submit ideas or tensions. The aim is to find solutions collectively, and to help the organization evolve thanks to everyone's involvement.

### Holacracy: a change of cultural paradigm

Adopting holacracy is more than just an organizational transformation; it's also a profound change in corporate culture. One of the main challenges for companies is to abandon the culture of hierarchy and control, deeply rooted in traditional systems. Employees, accustomed to rigid structures with clear chains of command, must learn to operate autonomously and embrace individual responsibility.

![Graph comparing Holacracy and the traditional pyramidal system, highlighting structural differences and organizational impact.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_1_0db00fe11e.png)

This requires not only a new way of thinking, but also a new way of working together. In a holarchical structure, employees must take on a certain form of individual leadership, while collaborating more closely with their colleagues. Collaborative decision-making, which is at the heart of holacracy, may take longer and require more patience than in a pyramidal model. However, this approach improves transparency, individual responsibility and alignment within teams. Each employee is encouraged to take the initiative and become more involved in decision-making processes. This creates an environment where autonomy is not only encouraged, but valued. Holacracy also encourages more open and regular communication between team members, reducing information silos and strengthening team spirit.

Another key aspect is that companies must be prepared to reinvent their reward and recognition systems. In a holacratic organization, traditional promotions are no longer relevant, as there are no hierarchical levels to climb. This overturns the traditional model of career progression. Employees need to be motivated by other forms of recognition, such as broader responsibilities, the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects, or regular feedback mechanisms. For this system to work well, employees must also have a clear vision of their objectives and understand how their work contributes to the organization's raison d'être.

## The limits of holacracy

Although holacracy has been adopted by many companies, some, such as Amazon subsidiary Zappos, have either abandoned it or never embraced it. Indeed, this structure also has its limitations, such as rigid meeting rules, restrictions on freedom of expression, and questionable effectiveness. These various points influenced Zappos' decision to retract.⁴

Regarding roles, the Zappos example shows that an employee has around 7.4 roles for an average of 3.47 responsibilities per role. That's a total of more than 25 responsibilities per employee. This multiplicity of roles complicates the organization of work, recruitment, and the definition of salaries, as it becomes difficult to assess a fair wage. In fact, as the employees compile the various roles, establishing a salary in relation to what is being done on the market becomes virtually impossible.

Another delicate point in adopting holacracy is the need for greater discipline. In a model where individuals have greater autonomy and responsibility, it can be easy for some to lose sight of the company's priorities. What's more, not all personalities adapt easily to this level of self-management. Some employees may experience increased stress when faced with the need to take on more initiative and responsibility without traditional supervision. It can also create a lack of clarity in task allocation, especially in larger or more complex organizations, where communication and coordination are essential.

Despite its image as an innovative management system, holacracy is not suitable for all businesses. It can take years to adopt, and many employees may have to leave. For large companies, partial adoption is recommended. On the other hand, for start-ups and SMEs with a high level of organizational adaptability and a relatively small size, holacracy appears to be an appropriate solution. In fact, many of them are early adopters.⁵

## Holacracy and conflict management

Managing tensions is a key element in a holarchic organization. Tensions, according to holacracy, are defined as gaps between the organization's current state and what an ideal situation might be. These tensions are often seen as opportunities for improvement. However, managing tensions can sometimes become a source of frustration. If they are not dealt with quickly or effectively, they can lead to conflict between team members.

The role of the facilitator is therefore crucial in ensuring that tensions are resolved constructively. In a traditional structure, conflicts are often managed top-down, with a manager or supervisor playing the role of arbiter. In holacracy, conflict resolution is more horizontal, with teams often having to find their own solutions to problems that arise. This requires a high level of maturity and communication skills on the part of team members. For this to work, the organization needs to put in place well-defined conflict resolution processes and clear frameworks for escalating tensions.

## The long-term benefits of holacracy

Despite the challenges it presents, holacracy offers many potential long-term benefits. By adopting a more flexible governance model, companies can improve their resilience in the face of market changes. Increased team autonomy encourages innovation, as ideas can emerge more quickly and be implemented without going through a long validation chain. This enhanced responsiveness is essential in sectors where change is rapid and adaptability is a key success factor.

One of the main advantages of holacracy is that it encourages better use of employees' skills. Indeed, employees are no longer restricted to a single defined role or position; they can contribute to different projects and circles according to their talents and interests. This also prevents certain talents from going untapped, or valuable skills from being under-utilized. This approach can lead to greater job satisfaction and higher talent retention, as employees feel they have greater freedom to develop their skills and broaden their scope within the organization.¹⁰

Finally, holacracy enables greater organizational agility. Companies that adopt this model are often more responsive to market changes, as they are not held back by rigid structures. Decisions are taken faster and closer to the operational teams, enabling strategies to be adjusted in real time. This flexibility can be a major competitive advantage, especially in dynamic markets where the ability to react quickly to change is crucial.

![Graph illustrating the benefits of Holacracy, emphasizing adaptability, autonomy, and team alignment.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_4_a7aac4fe0f.png)

## Holacracy and innovation: a winning synergy

One of the great strengths of holacracy lies in its ability to foster innovation. By removing hierarchical barriers, employees feel freer to put forward new ideas, even if they're off the beaten track. This ability to generate new ideas is essential in a world where markets evolve rapidly and companies must constantly reinvent themselves. Holacracy also encourages calculated risk-taking, as each circle can experiment on a small scale without fear of serious consequences for the organization as a whole.

What's more, holacracy enables ideas to be tested more quickly. Each circle can make decisions independently and implement prototypes or pilot projects without waiting for approval from top management. This reduces time-to-market and keeps the company competitive. This is particularly beneficial for startups or fast-growing companies, where the ability to innovate and adapt quickly is crucial to survival and prosperity.

Holacracy also encourages a diversity of viewpoints, allowing everyone, whatever their role or status, to contribute to collective thinking. This diversity is a powerful driver of innovation, as it enables a variety of ideas to be brought together and more creative solutions to the challenges facing the company to be explored. It also helps to break down the tendency towards one-track thinking, by encouraging the inclusion of voices from all levels and giving everyone the opportunity to play an active part in creating value for the company.

In conclusion, holacracy is an innovative management model that challenges conventional structures. However, its application raises challenges, particularly in the complex management of roles and organization. Adapted to agile companies such as [start-ups and certain SMEs](https://wedo.com/industries/sme), it is not a universal solution, especially for large structures. Each company must therefore carefully assess its specific needs before adopting holacracy, preparing appropriate adjustments for a successful transition.

Would you like to test holacracy in your company? WEDO can help you with our comprehensive governance module dedicated to this management system. To find out more, ask one of our specialists for a free demo.


::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

### Governance with WEDO

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::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

**References**

1. GROSJEAN, VINCENT, LEÏCHLÉ, JACQUES and THÉVENY, LAURENT, 2016. New forms of work organization: opportunities or illusions? . 2016. Vol. 245, pp. 6-9.
2. BERNSTEIN, Ethan, BUNCH, John, CANNER, Niko and LEE, Michael, 2016. Beyond the Holacracy Hype. Harvard Business Review. August 2016. pp. 38-49.
3. CHIQUET, Bernard Marie and APPERT, Étienne, 2013. A new managerial technology, holacracy. Goussonville : IGI partners. ISBN 978-2-9545641-1-1. 658.002 22
4. CASTILLO, Amanda, 2018. Holacratie, l'utopie qui se passe de chef. Le Temps [online]. October 5, 2018. [Accessed April 17, 2022]. Available from: https://www.letemps.ch/economie/holacratie-lutopie-se-passe-chef
5. BERNSTEIN, Ethan, BUNCH, John, CANNER, Niko and LEE, Michael, 2016. Beyond the Holacracy Hype. Harvard Business Review. August 2016. pp. 38-49.

Holacracy reshapes organizations by balancing reliability and adaptability, contrasting with traditional pyramidal systems. Discover its benefits and challenges in this article.

Image of people collaborating in a workspace inspired by Holacracy, where each person contributes autonomously and harmoniously toward shared goals.

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Holacracy: managerial revolution or organizational challenge?

![Antoine Sudan et David Dutch, accompagnés d'Alexia Borg, journaliste chez Forbes](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/willkommen_6c64ea9d3b.png)

In an exciting feature on [Forbes](https://www.forbes.fr/brandvoice/wedo-la-plateforme-collaborative-qui-simplifie-la-gestion-des-taches-et-des-reunions/), Alexia Borg sat down with WEDO’s co-founders to discuss the company’s incredible journey from a small Swiss startup to a global player in the collaborative software industry. The interview, held in Paris, shines a spotlight on WEDO’s evolution over the past 9 years. What began as a friendship and a shared passion has turned into a thriving business with over 600 clients and 15 dedicated employees.

But this is more than just a retrospective. The feature offers insights into how WEDO’s platform is helping companies worldwide streamline their task and meeting management processes. Below, we’ll break down the key points from the interview and explore what sets WEDO apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.



::youtube-video{#33J6FhmiONo}



## WEDO: The Collaborative Platform that Simplifies Task and Meeting Management

[WEDO’s collaborative SaaS platform](https://wedo.com/) has quickly become the go-to solution for businesses looking to streamline their internal operations. The platform is designed to simplify every aspect of meeting preparation and task management, from creating detailed agendas to tracking project progress in real time. With WEDO, teams can focus on what truly matters—getting things done efficiently and securely.

## What Makes WEDO Stand Out?

There are a few key reasons why over 600 businesses have adopted WEDO as their platform of choice:

1. **Ease of Use**: WEDO is simple to set up and start using right away. Unlike many other collaboration tools, WEDO is intuitive and easy to implement, requiring minimal training for users to get started. “We’ve found that teams appreciate how quickly they can adopt WEDO without the steep learning curve that comes with other platforms,” says David Dutch, co-founder of WEDO.
2. **Multi-Language Support**: WEDO’s platform is available in multiple languages, including French, English, German, and Italian. This has made it especially popular among European companies looking for a collaborative tool that meets the diverse language needs of their employees.
3. **All-in-One Collaboration**: WEDO isn’t just a meeting tool—it’s a complete solution that integrates project management, [task tracking](https://wedo.com/features/tasks), and real-time collaboration. Users can prepare agendas, draft meeting minutes, and track the completion of tasks from one meeting to the next. This [all-in-one](https://wedo.com/features) approach to collaboration is what sets WEDO apart and helps teams stay organized without juggling multiple tools.

![meeting management with WEDO](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Forbes_2_FR_5f46399cb5.png)

## Security at the Forefront of WEDO’s Innovation

In a world where data breaches and security concerns are top of mind for businesses, WEDO has prioritized security as a core feature of its platform. The SaaS platform is designed with [data protection](https://wedo.com/security) at its core, ensuring that companies can collaborate without worrying about data privacy.

“Our platform is hosted on ISO 27001 certified servers in Switzerland, which comply with both GDPR and Switzerland’s nLPD regulations,” explains Antoine Sudan, co-founder of WEDO. “This gives our clients peace of mind, knowing that their sensitive data is secure and stored in compliance with the strictest regulations.”

In addition to robust data encryption and compliance features, WEDO ensures that all data is stored locally in Europe, reducing the risk of data sovereignty issues—a key concern for businesses operating in highly regulated industries.

## Innovation: Looking Ahead with AI Tools

WEDO’s commitment to continuous improvement doesn’t stop at security and ease of use. The company is constantly looking for ways to evolve its platform to better meet the needs of its users. “We’re currently developing AI tools that will not only make our platform more intuitive but will also provide actionable insights to help teams work more effectively,” says David Dutch.

These AI-driven tools will focus on optimizing workflows, suggesting task priorities, and automating repetitive processes. As businesses continue to demand smarter and more efficient solutions, WEDO is positioning itself as a leader in AI-powered collaboration.

## Real-World Impact: How WEDO is Transforming Businesses

WEDO’s SaaS platform isn’t just another software tool; it’s a [game-changer for businesses](https://wedo.com/category/use-cases) across various industries. [Companies using WEDO](https://wedo.com/category/customer-testimonials) have reported significant improvements in meeting efficiency, task completion rates, and overall project management.

Take, for example, a mid-sized European tech company that struggled with disorganized meetings and missed deadlines. After implementing WEDO, the company saw a 30% reduction in time spent in meetings, with task completion rates increasing by 25%. This level of impact is why more and more businesses are turning to WEDO to simplify their internal operations.

![Task Management with WEDO](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Forbes1_FR_871022caa4.png)

## How does the company differentiate itself from its competitors?

The first area of differentiation lies in the tool itself. Unlike some highly specialized software, WEDO was designed as a dynamic and flexible platform, capable of meeting a wide range of use cases and industry needs (e.g., [municipal and administrative councils](https://wedo.com/industries/municipal-administrations), [team meetings](https://wedo.com/use-cases/team-meetings), [project management](https://wedo.com/features/project-management)). Compared to offerings like Microsoft’s, the company promotes a more holistic approach with an “all-in-one” tool, which avoids fragmenting information across various software that need to be connected. With WEDO, users no longer need to juggle multiple different applications—everything is readily available. The company aims to strike the ideal balance between specificity and generalization.

The second point of differentiation is its customer-centric approach, which enables the company to understand client needs and provide tailored solutions. Its support is highly regarded for its quality and speed, with an average response time of 4 minutes over a year. This close relationship results in an exceptional user experience, strong customer loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

## Why This Feature on Forbes Matters

Being featured on Forbes is not just an honor; it’s a reflection of the significant impact WEDO is making in the business world. As we continue to expand our platform and grow our user base, this feature serves as a milestone, validating our approach and the value we provide to our clients.

With over 600 companies using WEDO across Europe and beyond, we’re excited about the future and the role our platform will play in transforming how businesses collaborate.

## Conclusion

At WEDO, we are committed to providing businesses with the tools they need to streamline collaboration, ensure data security, and enhance productivity. Our feature on Forbes highlights the impact we’ve had on the business world, but we’re not stopping there. As we continue to innovate with AI-driven tools and security enhancements, we’re excited to see how WEDO will shape the future of work.

**Interested in learning more? Contact us today to schedule a demo or learn more about our platform.**

::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

In an exciting feature on Forbes, Alexia Borg sat down with WEDO’s co-founders to discuss the company’s incredible journey from a small Swiss startup to a global player in the collaborative software industry. 

Antoine Sudan and David Dutch invited by Forbes

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Forbes Highlights WEDO in “Successful Companies”

In the fast-paced world of administrative management, executive assistants play a crucial role. The Swiss army knives of any organization juggle many tasks and deadlines while supervising those of others. Faced with these challenges, they often find themselves overwhelmed by routine, repetitive responsibilities. We immersed ourselves in the daily lives of 6 executive assistants who use the WEDO platform to understand the workings of their organization, the challenges they face, and the tools they have put in place to facilitate their management.

According to our study, the most time-consuming tasks for executive assistants revolve mainly around administrative functions. These activities, while necessary, tend to monopolize a significant proportion of their working time, preventing them from concentrating fully on more crucial aspects of their role, such as operational and strategic development.

Among the most time-consuming tasks in their job descriptions, the executive assistants surveyed identify the following:

**1. Meeting preparation:** preparing agendas and presentation documents, taking and sharing minutes, following up on decisions and tasks delegated at meetings,

**2. Diary management and meeting organization:** planning and coordination of appointments, team meetings, and conferences, taking care to avoid scheduling conflicts,
**3. Document preparation and management:** drafting, proofreading, and organizing important documents such as reports, presentations, correspondence and contracts,

**4. Project coordination:** managing and following up on specific projects, liaising between different departments, and meeting deadlines.

Internal and external communications, administrative support, and human resources management closely follow those.

## How to lighten the administrative load for an executive assistant?

When asked what tools were used to monitor collaboration before WEDO was integrated, the most common programs were Outlook, Word (for taking minutes), and Excel. However, these tools had significant limitations. Respondents reported difficulties related to the cross-functionality of information between different team members. For example, these tools were not conducive to **active, real-time collaboration when taking PVs**, making this task often cumbersome and time-consuming, and necessitating numerous round-trips. The systematic use of e-mail to distribute these documents wasted considerable time without guaranteeing effective communication.

Furthermore, the limited nature of these tools prevented efficient tracking of tasks and projects. Users faced significant challenges maintaining a clear, up-to-date overview of projects. In short, although these tools are widespread and familiar, their use in team collaboration and project management needs to be improved.

This situation underlines the importance of cross-functional tools and solutions to lighten the administrative workload. With the implementation of WEDO, the executive assistants surveyed were able to optimize their administrative processes.

### 1. Meeting preparation and management

![computerized agenda for real-time note-taking](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/reunion_ENEN_aad2ef7f0e.png)

One of the most time-consuming aspects of the job is the preparation of meetings. With WEDO, executive assistants benefit from automated management and considerable time savings in preparation and follow-up. The platform enables uniform management of minutes, clear distribution of post-meeting tasks, and automatic tracking of topics from one session to the next. Users report an average time saving of 55% for these tasks.

![save time spent on meetings](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/55_ENEN_83c8604c19.png)

WEDO's meeting module lets you integrate blocks of paragraphs, tasks, file attachments, personal notes, votes and signatures, among others.

![testimonial Regula Oberdorfer](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Regula_Oberdorfer_ENEN_1a54d3c30f.png)

### 2. Project management and task tracking

![efficient task management](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/tasks_ENEN_be99588a59.png)

Project management and tracking represent another major challenge. WEDO simplifies this task by offering clear delegation possibilities, the creation of checklist templates to standardize processes, and real-time task tracking. This leads to better prioritization and more efficient day-to-day management.

![testimonials Aline Volery and Nicole Thalmann](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/testimonials_Aline_et_Nicole_ENEN_11a8dc6cff.png)

### Use case: facilitating HR processes and the transmission of specifications

When executive assistants are involved in HR processes, the integration of WEDO proves to be a major asset. The platform makes it possible to standardize on-boarding and off-boarding procedures by means of specific checklists. These checklists, drawn up for each stage of the process, automatically assign the relevant tasks to the team members concerned. This method ensures structured, efficient management of personnel transitions, eliminating the operational uncertainties often associated with the question "What steps should I take?".

By simplifying these processes, WEDO not only eases the workload for HR managers, but also contributes to a clear, documented handover of tasks and knowledge from one employee to the next.

![simplified hr processes](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Modeles_checklists_ENEN_fdf58af70f.png)

One of the decisive advantages of WEDO, highlighted by our management assistants, is the ease with which recruitment interviews can be documented in real time. Each exchange can be recorded directly in a standardized (and customized if required) agenda, enabling these interactions to be saved methodically and instantaneously.

### 4. Transmission of information

WEDO lets you link documents to tasks or meetings, ensuring that all the necessary information is in the right place. Global search makes it easy to retrieve documents, and to find a specific file based on a keyword found in the PDF file.

In terms of communication, WEDO users particularly appreciate the immediate visibility of entries and the ability to restrict access to certain information.

![Alexandra Locher](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Alexandra_locher_ENEN_e53527e95c.png)

**We asked our users to rate the platform on a scale of 1 to 10, to qualify the positive impact WEDO has on their daily tasks.**

![Best collaborative software for executive assistant productivity and organizations](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/preparation_reunion_note_ENEN_1_d92c7629a1.png)

![Alicia Aubert](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/Alicia_Aubert_ENEN_5d3644b8f7.png)

Executive assistants can greatly ease their workload by equipping themselves with a collaborative platform. Do you have any questions or doubts about WEDO's compatibility with your needs? We'll be happy to give you a short 30-minute demonstration.

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::button-primary[Schedule a live demo]{link="/demo"}

In the fast-paced world of administrative management, executive assistants play a crucial role. The Swiss army knives of any organization juggle many tasks and deadlines while supervising those of others

an executive assistant overwhelmed by work and demands

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Making daily life easier for executive assistants

Held once a month, quarter, or half-year, as required, these privileged meetings provide a confidential and open communication space, encouraging in-depth discussion of individual and collective objectives. They create a valuable opportunity to discuss each employee's specific challenges and needs, fostering better mutual understanding. Moreover, these meetings provide a framework for recognizing individual achievements and contributions, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and belonging to the team. Thanks to these personalized exchanges, bilateral meetings contribute to more effective personnel management, more focused professional growth, and solid, fulfilling working relationships.

## Key topics for a bilateral meeting

During a bilateral meeting between a team leader and an employee, several key topics must be addressed to ensure effective communication and optimal management. Here are some of these topics:

### 1. Ongoing assessment
Discuss objectives for the current period and assess progress and results achieved. Identify successes and areas requiring further attention.

### 2. Professional Development
Explore opportunities for employee development, training, and professional growth. Identify skills to be strengthened and possible progression paths.

### 3. Feedback
Exchange constructive feedback on work performed, highlighting strengths and addressing areas for improvement. Encourage open dialogue to stimulate continuous learning.

### 4. Needs and Challenges
Allow employees to express their needs regarding resources, assistance, or support to accomplish their tasks. Discuss possible obstacles and find solutions together.

### 5. Work-Life Balance
Address workload-related issues, stress levels, and work-life balance. Identify measures to support employee well-being.

### 6. Projects and Initiatives
Discuss future projects, new initiatives, and potential employee contributions. Encourage active participation and creativity.

### 7. Management feedback
Offer employees the opportunity to share their feelings about management, work methods, and team communication. Foster an environment of trust and continuous improvement.

### 8. Focus on Vision
Ensure that the employee understands and adheres to the team or company's overall vision, values, and goals.

### 9. Resources and Support
Identify the resources required for the associate's success and ensure that he/she has the proper support to carry out his/her tasks.

### 10. Long-Term Planning
Examine longer-term perspectives and discuss the employee's career aspirations and how these align with team or organizational goals.

_"Enabling discussions in bilateral meetings, in a more intimate way and with a long-term vision, brings a notable benefit to the employee's career in the company. It makes them feel valued, heard and recognized above all. Setting clear, long-term objectives is a real motivator for them."_

**Marie Rudaz-Jaeggi**, *[AmbitionSuccess.ch](http://ambitionsuccess.ch/)* - MORGES

Team leaders and employees can establish fruitful collaboration, foster professional development, and maintain a positive working climate by addressing these topics regularly and in-depth at bilateral meetings.

## Use WEDO to keep track of your bilateral meetings!

![1_1 ENFR.png](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/1_1_ENFR_78b8a89537.png)

With WEDO, you can prepare your agenda jointly with your manager or colleague. In this way, each participant can prepare the questions or topics to be addressed.

Generally speaking, the agenda items for a bilateral meeting are recurrent. WEDO enables you to set the topics so that they recur from one time to the next to ensure that discussions are followed up and that objectives evolve.

Once completed, the minutes are locked and remain available to both participants for consultation.

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During a bilateral meeting between a team leader and an employee, several key topics must be addressed to ensure effective communication and optimal management.

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