A well-organized meeting doesn't just happen. It takes clear planning, defined roles, and active participation to ensure success. Whether you're hosting an in-person or virtual meeting, one of the most effective ways to improve [meeting effectiveness](https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecomaford/2012/02/28/cut-the-b-s-and-get-to-the-point-the-only-2-communication-types-that-drive-results/) is to assign roles ahead of time. By doing so, every meeting participant knows their responsibilities, the meeting stays on track, and decisions are made efficiently.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the 4 key roles that can help you manage the meeting process, from preparation to follow-up, ensuring a smooth and productive outcome.

## Assigning roles before the meeting
At the end of a meeting, it’s common for participants to question the meeting’s real purpose or outcome. Poor preparation, lack of structure, poorly defined objectives, and a lack of general commitment are all causes that can compromise the success of your meeting.

Assigning roles in a meeting beforehand ensures each team member is prepared and focused, helping improve meeting effectiveness and establish a strong meeting culture. As is too often imagined, the involvement of participants is not limited to the day of the meeting. To ensure the effectiveness of the meeting, participants have a role to play before, during and after the meeting.

## The 4 key roles
### 1. The organizer: a facilitator
To ensure your meeting's success, you should appoint an organizer who is responsible for the entire meeting process. The meeting organizer sets the agenda, defines objectives, sends out the meeting invitation, and communicates the meeting’s purpose and expectations to all participants.

During the meeting, they act as the meeting leader, facilitating discussions, keeping everyone on track, and making sure objectives are met.  Their key qualities? The facilitator is organized, communicates with ease and knows how to set realistic objectives.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_04_organizer_wedo_2021_1024x576_a81c3d4795.png)

### 2. The editor: secretary of the meeting
The editor plays one of the main roles by documenting everything that happens during the meeting. They capture the meeting notes, recording key discussions, action items, and decisions. Basically, they feed the content and keep the participants informed. Therefore, it’s important for the editor to be attentive, concise, and systematic, ensuring nothing important is missed.


![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_04_editor_wedo_2021_1024x576_bc83b2b1fd.png)

### 3. The timekeeper
Appointing a timekeeper ensures the meeting stays on track by monitoring the schedule and reminding the organizer if discussions are going over the allotted time. The timekeeper works with the organizer to define the time allocated for all agenda items, ensuring the meeting runs efficiently without exceeding the scheduled meeting time.
Therefore, the meeting organizer must define the total time of the meeting beforehand, or better yet, define the time allowed for each point. However, the time keeper will not have any particular role to play after the meeting; they will only be required to read the minutes carefully, just like the other participants.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_04_time_keeper_wedo_2021_1024x576_7b6fcb4177.png)

### 4. The participants, prepared and proactive
All meeting participants must come prepared, stay engaged, and actively contribute. They should be familiar with the meeting agenda and ready to ask questions, provide feedback, and take on assigned tasks. Active participation from all attendees ensures that the meeting runs smoothly and achieves its goals.


![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_04_participants_en_wedo_2021_1024x576_cb65ecaf87.png)

## Coordinating roles for effective meeting flow
Each of the four key roles plays a critical part before, during, and after the meeting. Before the meeting, it's essential to prepare and share the agenda items with the team to ensure everyone is aligned and ready. Clear communication from the meeting organizer ensures that participants are well-prepared, improving both the quality and [duration of the meeting](https://wedo.com/blog/how-to-limit-the-duration-of-a-company-meeting).

During the meeting, the meeting editor should take notes, record decisions, and track action items in real time, adding them directly to the agenda. This approach saves time and ensures that no important points are overlooked.

After the meeting, participants should have immediate access to the meeting notes to review their assigned tasks. This organized process enables smooth follow-up and helps maintain meeting effectiveness for future sessions.

### Before the meeting
#### The Organizer
The meeting organizer schedules the time, date, and agenda for the meeting. They make sure all team members are informed and prepare accordingly. The organizer also ensures that each agenda item is clearly defined and that only the necessary meeting participants are invited.

#### The Editor
In collaboration with the organizer, the editor helps prepare the framework, agenda, and any supporting documents that will be needed. By sharing all the necessary documents in advance, the participants are more prepared, leading to a [more productive team meeting](https://wedo.com/blog/6-tips-for-conducting-an-effective-team-meeting).

#### The Timekeeper
The timekeeper works with the organizer to define the time allocated for each agenda point, ensuring the meeting runs efficiently without exceeding the scheduled duration.

#### The Participants
All team members should familiarize themselves with the meeting agenda ahead of time. This allows them to engage fully in the meeting and reduces the chance of needing clarification afterward. Participants who are presenting or leading a discussion should also prepare their agenda items in advance.

### During the meeting
#### The Organizer
During the meeting, the meeting organizer plays a key role as the meeting leader. Their first priority is to ensure the agenda items are respected and to prevent any distractions that could derail the meeting or prolong it unnecessarily. At the start, the meeting organizer should remind all participants of the meeting's purpose, so everyone feels involved and knows what the goals are.

In most cases, the organizer also assumes the role of facilitator, ensuring the discussions stay focused and productive. It’s important to maintain control of the conversation, making sure debates don’t go off-topic and that every team member has the opportunity to express their opinions on the subject at hand. The goal is to create a positive environment that encourages constructive discussions.

To improve meeting effectiveness, the organizer works closely with the editor throughout the meeting. This collaboration ensures that key points, decisions, and action items are accurately captured and recorded. The organizer ensures the editor has enough time to summarize discussions and properly document the decisions made.

At the end of the meeting, the organizer should remind all participants of the major decisions made and emphasize the next steps. Key follow-up questions should be addressed: Should the date of the next team meeting be set? Is each meeting participant aware of their tasks and responsibilities? The goal is to ensure effective follow-up and maintain accountability from one meeting to the next.

#### The Editor
During the meeting, the editor is responsible for taking clear and concise meeting notes. They have to capture the essential points without going into unnecessary detail and not to lose the flow of the discussion. While exact formulations can be refined later during the proofreading phase, the priority is to accurately document the decisions and action items agreed upon in real-time.

The editor also plays an important role in assigning tasks that result from these decisions. Once a decision is made, the editor makes sure it’s recorded, along with any action items assigned to specific team members, ensuring there is clarity on responsibilities and deadlines.

#### The Timekeeper
The timekeeper monitors the meeting schedule, keeping a constant eye on the clock to ensure that the allotted time for each agenda item is respected. If necessary, the timekeeper discreetly informs the organizer that time is running out. The meeting facilitator can then decide whether to shorten the discussion or move toward a decision, keeping the meeting on track.

At the end of the meeting, the timekeeper announces the conclusion of the meeting schedule and ensures that the session wraps up on time, improving the overall meeting experience.

#### The Participants
Too often, meeting participants are distracted, checking their phones or losing focus. In any team meeting, it’s essential to be fully attentive, especially when important decisions are being made. Participants must be aware of the meeting's objectives and contribute to the discussion to help achieve those goals.

Each meeting participant should engage in the conversation, listen carefully, and offer insights when appropriate. At the end of the meeting, participants should also feel comfortable asking questions to clarify any tasks or responsibilities assigned to them. Being clear on next steps ensures that everyone knows what to do to ensure success between meetings.

### After the meeting
#### The Organizer
After the meeting, the meeting organizer ensures that all assigned action items are completed and that no meeting participants are facing difficulties that could hinder their progress. The meeting leader works closely with the editor to ensure that the meeting notes and minutes are [accessible to everyone](https://wedo.com/blog/8-tips-to-improve-your-meeting-minutes).

By distributing the minutes promptly, the organizer ensures that all team members can review the content, stay aware of their tasks, and meet upcoming deadlines. This process supports an effective follow-up and contributes to improved meeting effectiveness for future sessions.

#### The Editor
After the meeting, the editor reviews the live notes to refine, format, and correct them if needed. The goal is to ensure that the discussions and decisions made during the meeting are as clear as possible.
Once the minutes are validated, the editor ensures that any supporting documents or files are available to participants. The finalized meeting notes are then distributed to all team members for reference.

The minutes must be detailed and precise, especially for those who were not present at the meeting or for external stakeholders who need to understand the meeting’s outcomes. A clear, well-organized transcript promotes effective communication within the team and makes planning for the next team meeting more efficient.

#### The Participants
Within 24 hours of receiving the validated minutes, each participant should carefully review the meeting notes. Reading the minutes while the meeting objectives are still fresh in mind makes it easier to recall key discussions and responsibilities. Each participant must then ensure they have noted [all the tasks assigned](https://wedo.com/blog/organization-4-steps-to-improve-the-management-of-your-daily-tasks) to them and commit to meeting the deadlines, particularly if tasks need to be completed by the next key meeting.

If necessary, participants should not hesitate to seek assistance from their managers to make sure that all objectives are achieved within the agreed timeframe. It’s important to remember that asking for help is a proactive step toward ensuring success and maintaining productivity.

## The importance of preparation for a successful meeting
As we've seen throughout this article, clear meeting roles are essential for running an efficient meeting. The preparation phase lays the groundwork for success. By defining objectives, inviting the right team members, assigning roles, and carefully organizing the meeting agenda and timing, you ensure that your meeting is productive.

While we’ve covered 4 key roles, other roles like the decision-maker or mediator can be added based on your organization’s needs. The important thing is that each meeting participant understands their role and how they contribute to the meeting's success. It's a shared effort—organizing a meeting is not solely the meeting organizer's responsibility. By embracing this approach, your company meetings will run more smoothly and effectively.

Using tools like WEDO can help simplify this process. With WEDO, you can collaboratively prepare your meetings, write meeting notes in real time, and track tasks assigned during the meeting.


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Whether you are organizing or participating in a meeting, you have a role to play in ensuring its effectiveness. It is clear that a meeting that involves and engages all participants will be successful. Ensure that your objectives are met by defining 4 key roles that will guarantee the optimal organization of your meetings.

A group of participants reviewing key points from a previous meeting to improve meeting effectiveness, with clearly defined meeting roles and responsibilities to ensure accountability.

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4 Key Roles for Meeting Effectiveness

In 2020, companies have had to adapt to the practice of remote working. Today, many organizations are alternating between remote and on-site work. This new way of working brings some challenges to organizations. In many cases, an internal reorganization seems to be a necessary step in order to strengthen team building and to put all employees on the same page. What are the best practices to ensure good internal organization while promoting effective team involvement? Here is our advice.

## Maintain the use of the new digital tools

In many cases, the adoption of new technologies and communication tools has had to be implemented in a rushed process. It is therefore time to leverage these investments in order to ensure the sustainability of solutions that facilitate internal organization. Collaborative tool, video conferencing system, internal chat platform, all these solutions contribute to the team spirit whether they collaborate face-to-face or remotely. Try to maintain the use of these tools, which all contribute to the emergence of a collective intelligence that will help you achieve your professional objectives. In addition, some tools also allow you to collaborate with people outside your organization, which again represents a significant advantage brought by digital solutions. However, the idea is not to multiply collaborative tools, but to select them according to the internal needs of each organization. With WEDO, in addition to internal collaboration, you can also work with external users to share meetings and tasks through collaborative workspaces.

If you haven't yet decided on a collaborative solution, it may be time to take a look at it to enable your teams to collaborate and communicate effectively in any situation. With WEDO, you can prepare your team meetings, write minutes in real time and track assigned tasks from one meeting to the next. The ideal solution for all teams that alternate between office life and remote work.

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## Encourage more remote work

This period has shown us that working from home is an alternative that has definitely advantages. Of course, working in a group encourages individual efforts, but thanks to the adoption of tools that allow optimal communication at a distance, it is clear that this team cohesion can be maintained with the help of adapted digital solutions. The distance between colleagues is therefore no longer necessarily a hurdle to good collaboration. Videoconference meetings have become standard and are now an alternative to face-to-face meetings. The trick will be to find the right balance between remote working and days at the office. In this perspective, it would be interesting to consult the opinions of employees in order to take into account their experience. Once again, internal communication is essential to establish new working practices and methods. As this practice is new for most employees, it is important to discuss and question the system put in place in order to readjust and improve it if necessary.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_02_temoignage_stephanie_robert_nicoud_en_2_1024x576_ef826fb3d3.png)

## Create templates for workflows

Remote collaboration has probably revealed some organizational weaknesses. Indeed, how to ensure the follow-up of work processes that require the participation of several colleagues when they work from home? It is difficult in these conditions to circulate a paper document for each person to validate the tasks performed. Exchanging information by email is not ideal for effective remote collaboration either. To access this collaborative dimension, it therefore seems necessary to use a dedicated digital solution.

With WEDO, the **Checklist templates** functionality allows organizations to create models of their recurring procedures to ensure collaborative monitoring of activities. Create a template for each procedure and then launch checklists each time they need to be performed. From the template, you can list a set of tasks, prioritize them, schedule them, and then delegate them to different people in charge. Thanks to the templates and checklists, it is very easy to collaborate with several people on the same workflow. All employees have easy access to the standard procedure and can follow the progress of each checklist in real time.

Would you like to learn more about this feature?

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For WEDO users who would like to explore this feature, please visit the [Checklist Templates](https://help.wedo.swiss/en/collections/1464217-checklist-templates) and [Checklists](https://help.wedo.swiss/en/collections/1415127-checklists) collections in our Help Center.

## Organize effective meetings

To avoid gatherings, virtual meetings will continue to be commonplace, perhaps even for employees working in the same location. Just like face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings must be carefully prepared to limit their duration. By preparing a short and complete agenda in a collaborative manner, you will limit the frequency and duration of video conference meetings, which can sometimes be tiring. Also, get into the habit of preparing agenda items to reduce the number of time-consuming distractions. The idea is also to keep track of discussions, even when they are virtual. So get into the habit of writing your minutes in real time to document and track discussions. WEDO is a solution that combines all these features with a task manager to make your teams operational and efficient right after the meeting. Each participant receives his tasks in his personal workspace and can consult the minutes of the discussions in just a few clicks. Give your teams the power to collaborate in the best possible conditions.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2021_02_temoignage_sandy_maillard_en_1024x576_1f63f0de65.png)

In 2021, more than ever, it is essential to make organizations agile by promoting collaborative work and collective intelligence, whether face-to-face or remotely. Tomorrow's managers must be able to bring their teams together to enable them to continue their activities in any situation. It is time to develop and establish a collaborative culture within organizations and digital solutions are there to facilitate this transformation.

Do you want to set up a collaborative tool within your organization?

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The health crisis has confronted organizations with many challenges. On an organizational level, it is now a matter of taking advantage of new technologies that were put in place in a rush and of capitalizing on a sustainable implementation to improve internal collaboration. Discover some tips to collaborate effectively face-to-face or remotely.

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How to deal with the organizational challenges that arise from the practice of remote work?

Ensuring good internal collaboration is sometimes a challenge. And when it comes to conducting team meetings remotely, everything becomes even more complicated if this practice is not in your habits. However, managing remote contacts and meetings can be very simple as long as you have the right collaborative tools and adopt good practices. 

Just because you can't meet your colleagues in a conference room doesn't mean you have to give up the conduct of your meetings. On the contrary, online meetings allow you to :

* Maintain the link with your teams even from a distance
* Ensuring the realization of your activities and projects in any situation
* Ensuring that decisions are made under all circumstances
* Keep a written record of oral exchanges, regardless of the communication system used.

We have analyzed for you a few tools that promote virtual collaboration. They all have the advantage of offering videoconferencing solutions that will facilitate contact and communication between members of your teams, especially when they work remotely.

## Zoom

_Zoom_ is a simple and intuitive video conferencing solution. Using a simple link, participants join a virtual room and take part in the meeting. The tool is interesting because it does not require any prior installation for all participants. Only the meeting organizer needs to create an account in order to generate a link for his colleagues to access the virtual room. The solution is free as long as your meeting has less than 100 participants. Due to the specific context related to COVID-19, _Zoom_ has temporarily waived the condition of its free plan that limited group meetings to 40 minutes. Another notable advantage of _Zoom_ is that it offers advanced screen sharing options.

It should be noted that the application is currently controversial in terms of data security and confidentiality. Without condemning it, it is rather a question of observing the measures that the _Zoom_ team will take to remedy the problems raised. The company's CEO, Eric S. Yuan, has already reacted to this in a press release available on their blog.

## Slack

_Slack_ is an ideal internal chat tool to ensure good remote communication. An intuitive solution favored by many start-ups and small businesses, it offers the possibility to create chat channels with several members of your team or to exchange privately with a particular colleague. You can also organize audio calls or videoconference meetings involving several members. The solution also offers the "screen sharing" feature to animate your virtual meetings.

## Microsoft Teams

_Teams_, owned by Microsoft, is a solution equivalent to Slack. This tool also provides functionality for online meetings and has the advantage of being part of the Office 365 suite. The solution also includes a high quality screen sharing system. Currently, the limit on the number of participants in a video conversation has been removed in order to open up access to the platform.

## Skype

_Skype_, another tool offered by Microsoft, is ideal for small organizations. From the application, you can generate a call link to invite participants. They will be able to join the call via this unique link. The advantage? The tool is easy to use and free of charge. With _Skype_, you can also share your screen to show your work documents to other participants.

## Whereby

_Whereby_ also allows you to create a virtual room in just a few clicks to ensure that your meetings run smoothly. Simply share the link with participants to access the videoconference. The solution is free for up to 4 participants and also allows screen sharing. No download is required, you can access _Whereby_ via a web version. For large teams, there are pro and business versions.

## Jitsi

_Jitsi_ also offers a flexible videoconferencing solution with an integrated screen sharing system. The tool is completely free of charge, does not require the prior creation of an account and guarantees high audiovisual quality. To create your virtual room, simply generate a URL and share it with all participants. The strong point of _Jitsi_? The solution is Open Source and can be hosted anywhere. In Switzerland, _SWITCH_ and _Infomaniak_ offer Jitsi hosting so that you can ensure the confidentiality of your data.

In the end, whatever solution you choose, it’s mostly about following a few rules to ensure the efficiency of your online meetings:

1. Prepare documentation to brief your team on how to conduct the online meeting, especially if your team has not yet mastered the videoconferencing system.
2. Do some tests with your colleagues before the D-Day to make sure you master the tool you have chosen.
3. Clearly define the objectives of your meetings and systematically prepare a clear agenda in order to provide a common thread for future digital exchanges.
4. Set a meeting time beforehand and make sure to stick to the schedule.
5. Invite all participants to activate their webcam during the videoconference in order to bring virtual exchanges to life and improve everyone's engagement.
6. Share your screen as soon as you refer to a working document in order to put everyone on the same page.
7. Respect each person's speaking time and speak in turn to ensure the quality of the discussions.
8. If necessary, record oral exchanges to facilitate reporting (many video tools offer this feature).
9. Write a record of the discussions, highlighting the decisions made to ensure that activities are followed up.
10. Make sure that the tasks arising from the video meeting are clear and specify their respective deadlines if necessary.

To facilitate and guarantee the effectiveness of your remote meetings, opt for a meeting management tool that you will use as the main medium for your videoconference exchanges. This way, you will be able to share your agenda and all the necessary working documents with the participants while maintaining visual contact with them, as if you were all together in one room! Your virtual meetings can also be real moments of exchange and conviviality :-)

Do you want to increase the efficiency of your online meetings?

Find out how to use WEDO to prepare, conduct and monitor your meetings remotely.

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There are multiple solutions that allow you to ensure your exchanges in videoconferencing. Through this article, we offer you a comparison of 6 tools to help you select the one that best meets your needs and expectations. As a bonus, discover some practical tips that will guarantee the efficiency of your digital discussions. Collaborate efficiently, even at a distance!

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6 videoconferencing solutions to bring your team together virtually

The causes of an ineffective meeting can be multiple: poor preparation, repetition, lack of commitment from the participants, poorly defined objectives, sterile debates, endless discussions that do not lead to any decision making... so many disappointments that weaken the productivity of your work teams. 

But how can we overcome the scourge of unproductive meetings? The solution lies in the implementation of simple practices that are, to say the least, essential to the smooth running of a working session. 

## 1\. Invite participants to prepare in advance by collaborating around the agenda

To begin with, all agendas for your meetings should be set and circulated in advance. A meeting is only effective if all participants are willing to contribute to the discussion. As a team leader, invite participants to prepare their contributions in advance to ensure the quality of future discussions. The best way to achieve this goal is to start by creating a common agenda that is accessible and modifiable by all team members. This will reinforce the engagement of the participants during the meeting since they will have contributed to its elaboration beforehand. Empower your teams by giving them a voice!

In addition to making your meetings more productive, working together to prepare for your meetings will be a first step towards a more inclusive internal culture. As a team leader, be sure to value everyone's ideas and contributions. Meetings are the ideal place to shape, grow and communicate your corporate culture.

With WEDO, create your agenda and invite your colleagues to contribute to the different items with the appropriate content (files, paragraphs, private notes...). This way you can collaborate on the preparation of your next team meeting.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2020_03_1_meeting_agenda_wedo_1024x575_ae325113b3.png)

 Would you like to create collaborative agendas for your meetings? 

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## 2\. Ensure that everyone takes part in the discussions and respect everyone's speaking time.

On the day of the meeting, the initiator of the meeting must assume the role of "facilitator" by encouraging free exchange among participants. Be attentive to interactions by keeping a critical and constructive eye. It is also a matter of controlling the dynamics of the meeting while keeping the initial objectives in mind to ensure that they are achieved. Sometimes, one speaker can take precedence over more introverted others. To facilitate exchanges, make sure that everyone is able to give his or her opinion. Create a pleasant atmosphere for constructive and caring discussions among your team members.

What to do concretely when one or two people dominate the conversations?

* Go around the table to ask the opinions of the more discreet participants.
* Be aware of interruptions: if someone is interrupted, make sure they can finish what they are saying.
* Promote a caring environment by reminding that everyone's contribution is essential and that there are no "stupid" ideas or questions.

This environment will be conducive to generating ideas, making decisions and building stronger relationships to move forward together towards common goals.

Ineffective meetings are often characterized by their lengthy duration. If you can't manage to limit the time each person can speak, you will lose valuable time. Keep in mind that bringing a group of employees together in the same room represents a significant cost to the company.

Creating an agenda is the first step towards respecting your employees' time. It will help you stay focused on the purpose of the meeting while avoiding unnecessary digressions.

The second step is to highlight the importance of punctuality. If a participant tends to be late for team meetings, give them your comments as an aside.

Finally, respecting everyone's time also means being able to recognize when a meeting must be cancelled or shortened. If most members are absent or agenda items have already been dealt with at another time, don't monopolize your team's precious time and let them focus on their priorities and possible upcoming deadlines.

## 3\. Take a moment to review the work that has been done and ask questions about constraints and concerns.

As a leader, take the time to recognize the work done by your team during your meetings. Plenary encouragement will enhance the value of the whole group by providing a positive and constructive dynamic. In addition, this practice will have the advantage of subtly showing the way to those who have not worked according to your expectations. Public praise will encourage them to follow the example of what has earned your recognition.

However, make sure that you adapt to everyone's personality. While most people like to be publicly praised, some people may not like public recognition.

Alternatively, invite the rest of the group to give their opinion. You may wish to include a section dedicated to participant feedback in your agenda item list. This is a great way to encourage employees to recognize the work of their colleagues. Acknowledging the work done by your team will lead to a productive dynamic while creating strong group cohesion.

Due to poor communication, the front-line problems of an organization may not be known to management. To avoid this, hold bilateral meetings as well as team meetings to ask colleagues about blockers that could prevent them from doing their jobs.

As a team leader, valuing transparent communication will create an environment that is conducive to problem solving. If your employees are confident, they will dare to talk openly about the obstacles they encounter in their daily work. Together, you will be able to solve them in order to reach the objectives set. So invite your colleagues to talk about their concerns: at your team meetings, go around the table regularly so that everyone can express themselves freely and honestly.

## 4\. Establish efficient monitoring of activities

Follow-up actions are probably the most important part of your team meetings as they will help you achieve your goals. At the end of the meeting, your team members need to be clear about what is expected of them. It is a matter of answering the famous question of "who does what and for when". You don't organize meetings just to discuss various subjects: the main goal is to give substance to concrete actions. The follow-up to the meeting must therefore be treated with as much attention as its preparation. At the end of the meeting, already think about the next one in order to ensure an effective follow-up.

What is the best way to ensure effective monitoring of operations?

One of the most effective methods is to make a clear note after each topic discussed in the meeting of the tasks arising from it. Also think about directly assigning your tasks in order to get your team up and running as quickly as possible.

3 tips for writing clear and punchy tasks:

* Begin with an infinitive verb to suggest action
* Be as precise as possible! Think that the task must be understood by a third person.
* Assign a person responsible for each task and specify its deadline.

WEDO combines dynamic reporting with collaborative task management. Enter your tasks directly in meetings, delegate them to your colleagues and specifying their deadlines. Your team will be able to ensure the follow-up of operations at the end of the meeting.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2020_03_2_assign_tasks_during_meeting_wedo_1024x575_6b9401c77f.png)

Would you like to create tasks directly during your meetings?

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## 5\. Share the report with all participants.

To ensure the success of the follow-up process, make sure to distribute the minutes of the meeting discussions. Your team members should have quick access to support that they can rely on to complete their tasks. A team meeting will fail if participants are not clear about what they need to do after the meeting. To facilitate communication, it is essential to make sure that the minutes of your discussion are well presented: highlight the collective decisions and the tasks to be carried out. Make sure that important information stands out clearly so that it is retained by your colleagues. The record of your discussions will ultimately validate the relevance of your meeting in the eyes of the participants.

With WEDO, distribute reports to participants in just a few clicks directly from the platform.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2020_03_3_send_meeting_minute_to_assignees_wedo_1024x575_72b855da94.png)

## 6\. Seek input from team members about meeting organization

The opinion of your colleagues counts and will allow you to optimize the conduct of your meetings. If your team is convinced of the relevance of your meetings, it will be better able to deliver quality work. Nobody likes wasting time! Moreover, giving employees the opportunity to express their opinions will also help you develop an inclusive culture and ensure that all your meetings will be useful in the future. Ask your team members concretely what they think would make your meetings more effective.

Alternatively, at the end of the meeting, ask your collaborators to give your meeting a score of 1 to 3 :

* 3: this meeting is well organized and allows me to achieve my objectives.
* 2: the meeting is useful but its organization needs improvement.
* 1: I feel that I have wasted my time, this meeting was not useful to me.

Invite each participant to indicate how many points they tune with their raised fingers and quickly survey the room. Finally, ask the most sceptical participants to communicate the points of improvement they feel are necessary.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2020_03_end_of_meeting_aa13165fe0.gif)

Do you want to improve the conduct of your team meetings using a technological and easy-to-use tool? WEDO is the solution to make your meetings useful and efficient!

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

As a team leader, you are regularly called upon to organise meetings but are not convinced of their effectiveness? Rethink the organisation of your work sessions by observing a few key principles. Here are some tips that will improve the conduct of your meetings and the commitment of your teams. 

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6 tips for conducting an effective team meeting

> When your workload becomes overwhelming, staying organized can feel impossible. How do you manage to stay positive and on top of your daily tasks when faced with a seemingly endless list of responsibilities?

It’s not always easy to know where to start. Rather than jumping in headfirst, take a moment to step back and plan. Organizing your day before tackling tasks is essential for reducing stress and boosting productivity. By breaking down your work, **writing a task list**, and **assigning tasks**, you’ll feel more in control.

But what’s the best way to do this? Follow these four simple steps to organize your day and **stay on top of your workload**.

![](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/2019_10_4_etapes_pour_mieux_gerer_vos_taches_au_quotidien_cba3791351.png)

## Step 1: Write down all of your tasks

Before prioritizing or planning, start by listing all your tasks. Check your emails, notes, and current projects to get a complete overview. This step helps you clearly define your workload and ensures you don’t miss any day-to-day tasks.

Create a task list that breaks down all your work into smaller, manageable parts. Whether it's long-term projects or short-term deadlines, seeing everything laid out will give you a clearer picture of your responsibilities. This helps you separate smaller tasks from bigger projects and organize them accordingly.

One of the easiest ways to improve task management is by using digital tools. Many task management platforms allow you to compile tasks and even set deadlines for each one. This helps you better understand the workload and ensures that nothing gets overlooked.

## Step 2: Prioritize your tasks

Prioritizing tasks is crucial for managing your time effectively. But how do you decide what’s important? Start by distinguishing between tasks that are urgent and those that are important—two terms that are often confused.

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s famous method, the [Eisenhower Matrix](https://www.forbes.com/sites/hillennevins/2023/01/05/how-to-get-stuff-done-the-eisenhower-matrix-aka-the-urgent-vs-the-important/), helps clarify this distinction. His quote, “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important,” is the foundation for this technique. The Eisenhower Matrix helps you categorize tasks into four groups:

**- Urgent and Important:** These tasks require immediate attention and directly contribute to your long-term goals. They should be addressed first.
**- Important but Not Urgent:** These tasks don’t need immediate action but are essential for your personal and work-related goals. Schedule them for later.
**- Urgent but Not Important:** These tasks need attention but don’t necessarily help you achieve your long-term projects. Delegate these whenever possible.
**- Not Urgent and Not Important:** Tasks that neither support your goals nor need to be completed soon. These can be deferred or moved to the bottom of the list.

The urgent but not important tasks represent tasks linked to the goals of other people (such as tasks to do in the context of a collective project). Hence, you can delegate them to third parties as much as possible. Tasks that are neither urgent or important can be moved to a sort of “suggestion box.”

These tasks are not essential at the moment, as they do not have a direct influence on your long-term goals, but they should still be kept in mind. The main idea is that tasks should be frequently reviewed, and their relevance should be analyzed to see if their status is changing. This makes it easier to stay on top of things, even when faced with many responsibilities.

![Eisenhower Matrix for task prioritization: do now, delegate, schedule for later, or defer/ignore tasks for better time management.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_eisenhower_matrix_en_6371fef608.png)

Knowing how to [manage daily tasks](https://wedo.com/blog/organize-your-telecommuting-days-by-managing-your-tasks-with-wedo) requires understanding which tasks are most critical to your personal and organizational goals. The better you become at sorting through priorities, the easier it will be to maintain focus and complete tasks efficiently.

## Step 3: Plan and schedule your tasks
Once you’ve identified which tasks are most important, the next step is to plan and schedule them. This involves setting clear due dates and organizing your tasks over days, weeks, or months, depending on the timeline for completion.

For all important tasks, try to set a planning date according to your time schedule. Use a [project management tool](https://wedo.com/features/project-management) or task management platforms to break down big projects into smaller tasks that can be completed over time. Start by organizing your week and allocating specific days to specific tasks. Having a clear schedule allows you to pace yourself and stay focused on what needs to be done each day.

Make sure to note both the due date and planning date—the planning date is when you’ll work on the task, while the due date is the final deadline. This approach helps with time management and ensures that you’re not rushing at the last minute.

In your work routine, you probably have tasks that recur. Recurring tasks can also be planned more efficiently by using task management tools that allow you to set reminders for daily tasks or long-term projects. Setting recurring tasks will help you manage your workflow smoothly.

A well-structured schedule not only helps you stay on top of tasks but also increases productivity by reducing last-minute stress. By assigning tasks to specific time slots, you can ensure that each one gets the attention it deserves.

![Four steps to organize daily tasks: write down tasks, prioritize, plan and schedule, and delegate and collaborate with team members.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_en_49d238141c.png)

## Step 4: Delegate and collaborate
In your daily life, you are likely to collaborate and work in teams. And sometimes, the best way to manage your workload is by [delegating tasks](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/for-smarter-decisions-empower-your-employees). Urgent but not important tasks, for example, are perfect for delegation. These may be tasks that contribute to a project’s progress but aren’t critical to your own responsibilities.

When you delegate tasks to team members, be sure to communicate clearly. Assign the task, set a due date, and follow up to ensure it’s completed on time. Collaboration tools can make delegation easier by allowing you to share tasks in real time and track progress. Make use of [project management software](https://wedo.com/features/project-management) to keep everyone aligned and working toward shared goals.

Delegating frees up your time for the tasks that require your personal attention, while also empowering your team members to take on more responsibility.

## Stay on top of your daily task list
Following these steps allows you to stay organized and [manage your time](https://wedo.com/blog/organize-your-telecommuting-days-by-managing-your-tasks-with-wedo) effectively. Avoid overloading yourself by overestimating how much you can complete in a single day. Instead, set clear, manageable goals and focus on completing tasks one by one. At the end of each day, take a moment to review your progress.

Were the tasks you planned completed? If so, it means you’ve set reasonable goals. If not, consider reducing the number of tasks on your daily task list to ensure you don’t overwhelm yourself. This regular review will help you refine your approach and increase productivity over time.

## Choosing the right task management tools
The good news is that you don’t have to do this all on your own. There are many [task management tools](https://wedo.com/features/tasks) and project management software available that can help you organize your tasks. These tools provide pre-made templates for task organization, making it easier to track progress, set deadlines, and ensure tasks are completed on time.

Look for a project management tool that fits your working style—something flexible and easy to use. These tools will allow you to assign tasks, set priorities, manage deadlines, and track progress in real time, helping you and your team stay on top of everything.

## Conclusion: Take control of your time
By following these four steps—writing down tasks, prioritizing, planning, and delegating—you’ll find it much easier to manage your workload. Staying organized helps you avoid unnecessary stress and allows you to stay focused on your goals. Whether it’s managing day-to-day responsibilities or planning for long-term projects, using the right tools and techniques will keep you productive.
Want to improve your task management process? Discover how WEDO can help you organize your work more effectively with our customizable tools for real-time collaboration.

Schedule a live demo today and start optimizing your workflow!

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

Discover how to manage daily tasks with these 4 simple steps. Learn how to stay organized, prioritize, and delegate your workload for better productivity.

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4 Steps to Organize and Manage Your Daily Tasks at Work

Although meetings are integral to a company, there are many executives and employees who complain about their length being sometimes excessive. In January, a study conducted by Doodle[^1]  revealed that Swiss employees spent an average of 5 hours per week in meetings. So how can you improve the efficiency of meetings? 

An endless meeting is often the result of poor preparation. To save time during a meeting, there are a few steps that should not be neglected. The moderator, as well as the attendees, must contribute to the elaboration of the meeting in order to plan its frame and progress. The meeting agenda, which represents the discussion thread, needs to be established according to the goals of the meeting in order to stay focused. This will help employees progress efficiently without wasting time. 

## Before the meeting – a collective preparation 

### Ask yourself the right questions and set clear goals

> _According to the survey on meetings presented by Doodle, 72% of the interviewed employees think that a good meeting goes through clearly set goals!_

Before scheduling a meeting, key questions need to be addressed: 

**What is the purpose of the meeting?** The outcome of the meeting will serve as a guideline. This preliminary question will allow you to highlight the interest of the meeting for the attendees. 

**What are the main topics to address?** The following step is to define the topics to be addressed during the meeting to achieve the desired goal. These topics will be the items of the meeting agenda.

**Who are the people involved?** A meeting with a large number of presenters is likely to drag on. It is therefore important to gather only those who are directly involved in the topics, decisions and tasks to be performed. 

**What is the estimated time for the meeting?**  According to the number of topics to be addressed, try to estimate and set the duration of the meeting and stick to it on the day of the meeting.

### Establish an organized and clear meeting agenda

> _According to the survey on meetings presented by Doodle, 67% of the interviewed employees think that a good meeting goes through a clearly established meeting agenda._

**List the different items in the meeting agenda >**  A meeting agenda consists of a list of items that resume the topics to be covered during the meeting. The establishment of a precise meeting agenda will ensure efficiency and rapidity during the meeting and will thus avoid unnecessary digressions and off-topic debates. Depending on the topics to be addressed, you can build the frame of the meeting by choosing, for example, a list of points hierarchized in different levels (ex: 1., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,). If this organization does not seem relevant to you, you can try to group the items to address according to criteria that makes sense regarding the type of meeting: _departments or services concerned, addressed topics, topics ordered according to the interventions of different presenters, steps of the project to realize,_ etc.

**Define the role of the presenters >**  Depending on the established items, define who will speak during the meeting. In order to avoid taking attendees by surprise, schedule each person’s interventions ahead of time according to the meeting agenda. This will encourage them to prepare the meeting and will improve the efficiency and length of the discussions.

**Make the meeting agenda accessible to allow attendees to consult it >** Once the meeting agenda has been established, make sure to share it with all the attendees a few days before the meeting. A good preparation of the different interventions will contribute positively to the smooth running of the meeting. Furthermore, a previously established meeting agenda is likely to ensure a well-organized and productive meeting. The attendees will feel concerned and will not have the impression that the upcoming meeting will be wasting their valuable time.

## During the meeting – the roles of the meeting moderator and the drafter

### Progress according to the set order 

On the day of the meeting, keep the goal of the meeting in mind. The moderator of the meeting is responsible for its smooth running and must avoid any misplacements by following rigorously the pre-established meeting agenda. This will avoid the attendees to feel lost and they will be able to follow the discussions by referring to the common frame previously diffused. 

### Address the covered topics in a systematic way

The moderator of the meeting must try to facilitate the task of the meeting minutes drafter by being clear and rigorous in the way he conducts the meeting. By discussing each item of the meeting agenda in a systematic way, you will ensure a productive meeting and meeting minutes drafting while avoiding wasting time. But how can you discuss the various items of the meeting agenda in a systematic way? 

Here is a solution that considers the discussion of each item of the meeting agenda following three steps that will come out as three separate blocks of information in the meeting minutes: 

**Step 1 – the minutes of the discussions:** Every topic covered in a meeting generally leads to a discussion that will need to be transcribed in the meeting minutes > _this constitutes the first block of information of the discussed item._

**Step 2 – the result of the discussions:** The decisions and high points of the preliminary discussions should be highlighted > _this constitutes the second block of information of the discussed item._ Many employees often complain about leaving a meeting without really knowing which major decisions were made. Highlighting them will avoid that kind of uncomfortable feeling.

**Step 3 – tasks arising from the decisions:** The attendees will have to perform various tasks to reach the set goals > _this constitutes the last block of information of the discussed item._ Thanks to a clear division of tasks to perform, the attendees will be operational as soon as the meeting ends. This will avoid people forgetting what they are supposed to do from a meeting to the next. 

This method will encourage you to proceed in an efficient manner and will facilitate the drafting of the meeting minutes. Furthermore, when the attendees will have to review the meeting minutes, they will easily obtain the necessary information. Needless to say, certain items will not require such a structure and can therefore be covered far more quickly – for example by using only one of the three proposed blocks of information. 

In summary, the success of a company meeting is largely dependent on its preparation. By focusing on clearly set goals and on a clear meeting agenda, you will necessarily limit the length of your meetings and thus keep the attendees active and concerned. Establishing a meeting agenda can sometimes seem tedious. The trick is to create a meeting agenda template according to the different meetings that you conduct. This way, from one meeting to the next, you will only have to make a few changes to the template of the previous meeting agenda for the upcoming meeting, without having to create a new one each time. 

Do you want to facilitate the preparation and conduct of your meetings?

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

[^1]: To carry out the study in question, more than 6’500 professionals from the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and the United States were interviewed. 

Do your company meetings tend to drag on? In this article you will find a few tips to limit their duration! 

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How to limit the duration of a meeting?

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Next webinar | Gantt chart : How to get your projects on track

Every day, we juggle a series of tasks, from answering emails and attending meetings all the way to cooking dinner or finally folding that pile of laundry staring us down for days. Task management is everywhere around us, whether we realize it or not. 

But here's the catch: managing tasks is more than checking boxes. It's making sure the right boxes are checked at the right time, by the right people.

For individuals, good task management can mean less stress and more time to spend on what matters most to them. For teams and organizations, it's the difference between controlled chaos and seamless collaboration. When done well, task management becomes a superpower, moving businesses toward growth and ensuring projects are delivered on time (and with fewer sleepless nights).

In this guide, we're going to explore strategies, tools, and best practices that turn task management into a fine-tuned system. Whether you're wrangling your own to-do list or leading a team toward big goals, this can be your roadmap to staying on top of your game. 

Let's get started!


The Ultimate Guide to Task Management: Strategies, Tools, and Best Practices

Have you ever started the day with good intentions, only to have emails, meetings, and last-minute requests completely derail your focus? You had a plan, maybe even a neatly written task list, but by lunchtime, you’ve barely touched the important work you meant to do. Instead, you’ve been bouncing between messages, putting out fires, and somehow adding more to your plate than you’ve checked off.

Sound familiar?

The problem often isn’t that you’re not working hard enough. It’s that without task prioritization, everything feels urgent, and you end up reacting instead of executing. Without a clear system to organize tasks, distractions take over, and the work that truly moves the needle gets buried.

That’s why good task management means so much more than making lists. tIt helps you stay organized, prioritize your tasks effectively, and structure your day so you can actually complete tasks, not just plan them.

This guide will walk you through how to schedule tasks, set due dates, and use task management tools to focus on what really matters. Whether you're juggling a growing workload, leading a team, or just trying to save time and work smarter, these strategies will help you cut through the noise and get things done—without the stress.

Let’s get started 🚀

## Why Most People Struggle with Task Management
You’re not alone if you feel like there’s never enough time in the day. Task management sounds simple—write things down, get them done—but in reality, most people get stuck in a cycle of reacting instead of prioritizing.

We won’t even mention reaching for your phone, getting lost in a personal conversation, or sneaking in a quick break. Let’s focus on the business side of things, where even the best intentions get derailed.

Here’s why:

**- Too many tasks, not enough time** – Without task prioritization, everything feels urgent. You start the day with a plan, but by noon, your task list has doubled, and the most important tasks are still untouched.
**- Constant distractions** – Emails, Slack messages, unexpected meetings… Your day gets sliced into a dozen tiny pieces. Every interruption steals focus, making it harder to complete tasks efficiently.
**- No clear system** – Writing things down is one thing; knowing how to organize tasks is another. When your workflow is scattered across sticky notes, notebooks, and half-updated task management tools, you waste time figuring out what to do next instead of doing it.
**- Task lists that never shrink** – Ever feel like you’re just moving tasks around instead of finishing them? Without due dates, clear priorities, and a way to delegate tasks, some things linger on your list for days (or weeks).

The result? Missed deadlines, mounting stress, and the constant feeling that you’re always playing catch-up.

But here’s the good news: managing your workload doesn’t have to be chaotic. The key is to stop treating all tasks as equal and start prioritizing tasks based on impact, urgency, and effort.

Next, we’ll show you exactly how to take control of your tasks, without working longer hours or burning out.

## How to Organize and Prioritize Your Daily Tasks Effectively
Let’s talk about structuring your workload so you can actually get things done. Writing a task list is easy, but sticking to it and finishing the right tasks at the right time is the real challenge. Without a clear system, it’s too easy to waste time on low-priority work while the most important tasks stay unfinished.

Here’s how to organize tasks, prioritize your tasks, and ensure you can complete tasks efficiently every day.

### Step 1: Capture All Tasks in One Place
Scattered notes, mental reminders, and a dozen half-updated apps will only make you feel more disorganized. If your task management system is fragmented, you’ll waste time figuring out what needs to be done instead of actually doing it.

- Start by centralizing everything in one place. Whether it’s a kanban board or a structured notebook, the goal is to make sure no task is forgotten or misplaced.
- Use a digital tool: A task management software like WEDO keeps everything organized while linking tasks to meetings, deadlines, and team members. This ensures follow-ups don’t slip through the cracks.
- If you prefer a manual system, commit to a single planner or notebook. Update it daily and avoid using sticky notes or loose scraps of paper for critical tasks.
By keeping your task lists in one place, you eliminate the stress of searching for information and create a reliable system that makes staying organized easier.

### Step 2: Categorize Tasks by Priority and Effort
Some tasks move you toward your long-term goals, while others are just busywork. The problem? Without a clear way to prioritize your tasks, it’s easy to get caught up in low-value work while truly important tasks get delayed.
Break tasks into clear categories so you always know what deserves your attention first. A simple but effective method is to group tasks based on urgency and importance:

- **Must-do today:** These are the high-impact tasks that must be completed by the end of the day. Missing these can lead to missed deadlines or delays for your team.
- **Should-do soon:** Important but not immediately urgent. These should be scheduled strategically so they don’t become last-minute emergencies.
- **Nice-to-do:** These tasks are useful but not essential. If time allows, work on them, but they shouldn’t interfere with your top priorities.
- **Delegate or eliminate:** Some tasks don’t require your direct attention. If possible, assign them to the right team members or remove them from your list entirely.

### Step 3: Break Large Tasks into Actionable Steps
One of the biggest reasons people procrastinate is that their tasks feel overwhelming. A broad task like “Launch a marketing campaign” has too many moving parts, making it hard to know where to start. Instead of letting large projects sit unfinished, break them into clear, actionable steps.

For example, instead of writing “Prepare quarterly report,” break it down into:

- Gather data from sales and marketing teams
- Review key performance metrics
- Draft report outline
- Finalize and format report
- Send for approval

This makes task progress more visible and helps prevent last-minute scrambling. If a task still feels too big, keep breaking it down until each step feels doable within a set timeframe.

### Step 4: Schedule Tasks into Your Day
A never-ending task list without structure will set you up for failure. If you rely on an open-ended list, you’ll likely spend too much time deciding what to work on instead of making progress. Instead of tackling tasks at random, schedule tasks into specific time slots.

- **Use time-blocking**: Assign dedicated blocks of time for focused work, meetings, and admin tasks. This prevents your entire day from being consumed by emails and interruptions.
- **Set realistic due dates**: Overloading one day while leaving another nearly empty creates an unbalanced workload. Set due dates that allow for steady progress instead of last-minute rushes.
- **Build buffer time**: Unexpected work will come up. If you schedule every minute of your day, one unexpected email or urgent request can throw everything off track. Leave space for flexibility.

A task management system should help you schedule tasks in a way that makes execution easier, not just track what you need to do. WEDO, for example, lets you link tasks to meetings so that follow-ups are scheduled immediately, reducing the risk of delays.

By structuring your tasks with clear priorities, breaking work into actionable steps, and scheduling effectively, you create a system that saves time and helps you stay focused.

Next, let’s explore some of the most proven prioritization methods that can help you refine your system even further.

## Proven Methods for Task Prioritization
Even with a structured task management system, knowing what to work on first can still be a challenge. That’s where prioritization methods come in. Different techniques work for different people, and the best approach is often a combination of methods that fit your workflow.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the most effective task prioritization strategies and how they can help you stay organized, complete tasks efficiently, and save time.

### Eisenhower Matrix: Sorting Urgent vs. Important Tasks
**Best for:** Gaining clarity on what truly matters
**How it works:** This method divides tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:

- **Urgent & Important** – Do these immediately. These are high-priority tasks with pressing deadlines.
- **Important but Not Urgent** – Schedule these. These contribute to long-term goals but don’t require immediate attention.
- **Urgent but Not Important** – Delegate these. If possible, assign them to the right team members so they don’t consume your time.
- **Neither Urgent nor Important** – Eliminate these. If a task isn’t adding value, remove it from your list.

**Why it works:** Instead of treating everything as urgent, the Eisenhower Matrix forces you to prioritize tasks based on impact, ensuring that truly important tasks don’t get pushed aside by minor urgencies.

### Eat the Frog: Tackling the Hardest Task First
**Best for:** Overcoming procrastination

**How it works:** The concept is simple: start your day with the hardest, most important task (your “frog”). Once that’s done, everything else feels easier.

**Why it works:** People tend to delay difficult or unpleasant tasks, which only makes them more stressful. By completing tasks that require the most effort early in the day, you avoid spending mental energy dreading them.

### Time Blocking: Scheduling Focus Work
**Best for:** Avoiding distractions and managing time effectively
**How it works:** Instead of jumping between tasks all day, schedule tasks into dedicated time blocks on your calendar. Each block is assigned a specific task, such as deep work, email responses, or meetings.
**Why it works:** This method reduces context switching, which drains focus. It also ensures that high-priority tasks get done before your day gets filled with unexpected distractions.

### ABCDE Method: Structuring Workload by Importance
**Best for:** Systematically ranking tasks
**How it works:** Assign each task a priority letter to determine its importance:
**- A –** Critical tasks that must be completed today
**- B –** Important but not urgent; should be done after A tasks
**- C –** Nice-to-do tasks with minimal consequences
**- D –** Delegate these tasks if possible
**- E –** Eliminate these tasks if they don’t add value

**Why it works:** This method forces you to organize tasks based on real impact, making it easier to focus on the right work instead of getting lost in less important details.

### Which Prioritization Method is Best?
There’s no single best approach. Many people combine techniques to create a system that works for them.

For example:
- Use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks.
- Apply Eat the Frog to knock out the hardest task first.
- Use Time Blocking to structure your day.
- Rank remaining tasks with the ABCDE Method.

The key is to choose a system that helps you complete tasks efficiently without overcomplicating your workflow.

![Table comparing four task prioritization methods, Eisenhower Matrix, Eat the Frog, Time Blocking, and ABCDE Method, based on what they’re best for and how each works.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/blog_task_organisation_4_steps_en_d72172cbbf.png)

## Mistakes That Destroy Productivity
Even with the best task management system, bad habits can derail your progress. Many people set up a structured plan, only to find themselves falling into the same traps that keep them from getting things done.

Here are the most common mistakes that make task management tools ineffective and how to fix them.

### Overloading Your Task List
Writing down everything you need to do feels productive, but a never-ending task list can lead to decision paralysis. When your list is too long, you spend more time figuring out where to start than actually making progress.

**Fix it:**
- Keep your task lists realistic. Focus on your top three to five most important tasks per day.
- Use task prioritization techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix or ABCDE Method to ensure your list only includes meaningful work.
- Schedule secondary tasks for later in the week instead of cramming everything into one day.

### Not Accounting for Interruptions
No matter how well you schedule tasks, unexpected emails, urgent requests, and last-minute meetings will pop up. If your day is packed too tightly, a single disruption can throw everything off track.

**Fix it:**
- Leave buffer time in your schedule. Time-blocking is effective, but don’t schedule every minute of your day.
- Plan for deep work during hours when you’re least likely to be interrupted.
- If a new task comes up, decide immediately whether to delegate tasks, reschedule them, or eliminate them instead of reacting on the spot.
 
### Multitasking Instead of Focusing
Juggling multiple tasks might feel productive, but studies show that multitasking reduces efficiency and increases mistakes. When you split your focus, everything takes longer, and the quality of work suffers.

**Fix it:**
- Work on one task at a time. If you need variety, batch similar tasks together (like responding to emails all at once).
- Use kanban boards or a task management software to visually track progress so you stay focused on one item at a time.
- If you find yourself constantly switching between tasks, ask yourself if you’re working on important tasks or just reacting to whatever pops up.

### Letting Meetings Take Over
Unstructured meetings can easily eat into your important work time. Without a clear purpose, they become just another distraction.

**Fix it:**
- Only attend meetings where your input is necessary. Declining unnecessary meetings saves time management headaches.
- Use a task management tool like WEDO that integrates meeting takeaways into actionable tasks, so follow-ups don’t get lost.
- Set strict meeting agendas and time limits to keep discussions focused.

Fixing all these mistakes requires better structure, better tools, and better habits. The right task management softwarewill help you stay organized, track task progress, and ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Next, let’s explore the best tools for managing daily tasks and how they compare.

## The Best Tools for Managing Daily Tasks
Now that we understand the human factors that make or break productivity—how we get distracted, procrastinate, or overload ourselves—let’s talk about the systems that help us stay on track.

As it’s probably clear by now, the right task management tool does more than just store your to-do list; it helps you stay organized, track task progress, and ensure important tasks get completed. Some tools focus on simple task lists, while others offer kanban boards, collaboration features, or automation for long-term goals.

Let’s take a look at how some of the most popular tools compare, so you can find one that fits your workflow and actually saves time instead of adding complexity.

![Comparison table of task management tools, Monday.com, Trello, Notion, ClickUp, OneNote, Asana, and WEDO, highlighting features like task lists, kanban view, task dependencies, subtasks, collaboration, meeting management, file sharing, and data hosting.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/How_to_Choose_the_Right_Task_Management_Tool_for_Your_Team_en_34ea7daf49.png)


Among these options, WEDO stands out as the best choice for most teams because it connects tasks to meetings and follow-ups, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks. Instead of managing projects in one tool and meeting notes in another, WEDO seamlessly links them together, turning discussions into action items and making sure every task gets completed.

Want a deeper comparison? Read our full breakdown of [WEDO vs. other task management tools](https://wedo.com/blog/6-asana-alternatives-for-efficient-team-collaboration).

## Take Control of Your Daily Tasks with the Right System
At the end of the day, no matter which tool you use, it should help you focus, stay organized, and make real progress without constantly feeling behind.

The key is keeping it simple and sustainable. Prioritize wisely, schedule realistically, and don’t overcomplicate things with unnecessary steps. The best system is the one you can actually stick to—one that helps you stay on top of important tasks without drowning in endless lists.

WEDO is designed to do just that. It keeps tasks, meetings, and follow-ups connected, so nothing slips through the cracks. No scattered to-dos, no forgotten action items, just a clear, structured way to get work done.

Ready to manage and complete your tasks without the chaos? [Try WEDO for free today](https://wedo.com/signup)! 


Learn how to manage and prioritize your daily tasks with proven strategies, smart workflows, and the right tools to stay organized and productive.

The image shows a team meeting during which tasks are assigned to the project's contributors and stakeholders.

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Guide to Managing and Prioritizing Your Daily Tasks

Every team needs structure. Without it, tasks slip through the cracks, priorities get lost, and productivity takes a hit. A great task management tool solves this by keeping everyone aligned, making it easy to organize work, set deadlines, and track progress. 

But not every tool is a good fit for every company.
Choose the one that doesn’t align with your business, and instead of streamlining work, it becomes another obstacle; forcing your team to adapt to its rigid structure, adding unnecessary complexity, or bombarding everyone with notifications that create more noise than value.

But with so many options available, how do you pick one that actually makes work easier? The answer isn’t in feature lists or brand names. It’s in how well a tool fits your team’s workflow.

This guide walks you through the key factors to consider, common pitfalls to avoid, and a practical approach to testing tools before committing. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to choose a task management solution that works for your team, not against it.

## Start with Your Team’s Workflow, Not the Software’s Features
It’s easy to get caught up in flashy features when comparing task management tools. Gantt charts, kanban boards, automation—these all sound useful, but they won’t help if they don’t align with how your team actually works.

Instead of starting with a tool’s feature list, start with your team’s workflow. 

A task management tool should adapt to your processes, not force your team to change how they work just to fit its structure. Before jumping into comparisons, take a step back and assess your team’s needs:

**- Project complexity** – Do you need a simple to-do list for individual tasks, or a full-fledged project management system with dependencies and milestones?
Collaboration style – Does your team work in real time, asynchronously, or a mix of both?

**- Task visibility** – Do team members manage their own tasks independently, or is shared visibility across projects essential?
**- Integration needs** – Is it really essential for the tool to sync with your email, calendar, or document storage?
**- Scalability** – Will the tool still be useful as your team grows, or will you outgrow it quickly?
**- User preferences** – Does your team prefer structured task management (lists, priorities, deadlines) or a more flexible system (boards, labels, workflows)?
**- Compliance & security** – If your industry has strict data security or compliance requirements, does the tool meet those standards?

By answering these questions, you can filter out tools that don’t support your team’s workflow. This way, you’ll avoid getting lost in the feature lists and instead focus on choosing a tool that actually helps your team get work done.

## What a Task Management Tool Needs to Do Well
A good task management tool should feel like an extra team member, one that organizes work, keeps priorities clear, and makes collaboration seamless. A bad one? It’s just another thing to manage.

Too many teams fall into the trap of picking a tool that looks powerful on the surface but ends up slowing them down. Clunky dashboards, endless customization options, and a flood of notifications can turn a well-intentioned solution into a daily frustration.

So, what actually makes a task management tool useful?

![Visual comparison of what to look for versus what to avoid in a task management tool. Highlights must-have features like flexible task organization, clear priorities, easy collaboration, smooth onboarding, and reliable integrations. Contrasts with common pitfalls such as cluttered dashboards, overly complex setup, excessive notifications, and poor team fit. ](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/What_to_Look_for_and_Avoid_in_a_Task_Management_Tool_en_8428d1c8c3.png)

✔ **Simple, flexible task organization** – Whether your team prefers lists, kanban boards, or timelines, the tool should adapt to different workflows, not lock you into a rigid structure.

✔ **Clear deadlines and priorities** – Tasks shouldn’t pile up unnoticed. That means making it easy to set deadlines, assign priorities, and prevent tasks from piling up unnoticed. [Milestones](https://help.wedo.com/en/projects/gantt-chart-key-concepts) are especially useful here, helping teams track progress on larger goals by grouping related tasks. Some tools also support prioritization frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix, which can help teams focus on what’s urgent versus what’s important.

✔ **Collaboration without extra effort** – Comments, mentions, and file sharing should streamline discussions, not create more side conversations outside the tool. The goal is to keep work and communication in one place.

✔ **Smooth onboarding** – A task management tool should simplify work, not create more of it. If it takes weeks to learn, adoption will be an uphill battle. A great tool is intuitive enough for teams to start using right away, with minimal setup or training. To help teams hit the ground running, WEDO offers set-up meetings for new customers, ensuring networks are properly configured from day one.

✔ **Reliable integrations** – A tool should work with your existing workflow, not against it. Seamless integration with email, calendars, and other apps reduces friction and keeps everything in sync. While WEDO is actively expanding its integration capabilities—including upcoming connectivity with Teams and bi-directional calendar syncing—it's important to evaluate what your team needs now and what’s on the horizon.

Where teams often go wrong:

🚫 **Overloaded dashboards** – Just because a dashboard looks impressive doesn’t mean it’s useful. Too much information at once can slow down decision-making.
🚫 **Too many customization options** – If a tool requires configuring everything from scratch, it can create more work than it saves. While flexibility is great, teams need structured simplicity to get started quickly.
🚫 **Alerts and notifications that create more noise than value** – Constant pings and reminders can be distracting. A great tool provides smart notifications, just enough to keep things moving, without overwhelming your team.

## Mistakes That Lead to the Wrong Choice
Even with the best intentions, teams sometimes end up choosing a task management tool that doesn’t actually work for them. Maybe it’s too complicated, too rigid, or just doesn’t get used at all. Avoiding these common pitfalls can save your team from frustration and from having to switch tools again in a few months.

**Ignoring user adoption** – If your team doesn’t use the tool, it doesn’t matter how many features it has. A flashy dashboard or an extensive settings menu won’t help if people avoid using the tool altogether. The best solution is one that fits into daily workflows with minimal resistance.

**Underestimating the learning curve** – A tool should simplify work, not require hours of training just to complete basic tasks. If the interface is overwhelming or requires constant troubleshooting, adoption will suffer.

**Choosing based on brand recognition** – Just because a tool is popular doesn’t mean it’s the right fit. Many teams default to well-known names without considering whether the tool actually matches their workflow. A good fit is more important than a big name.

**Overlooking long-term costs** – Some tools start off cheap (or even free) but require expensive add-ons, premium features, or per-user pricing that can quickly add up. A tool that looks affordable at first glance might become a financial burden as your team grows.

**Focusing on the tool, not the problem** – It’s easy to get caught up in feature comparisons and software demos, but the real question is: What problem are you trying to solve? If you don’t define your needs upfront, you’ll end up chasing features instead of solutions.

## How to Compare and Test Tools Effectively
A task management system might look great on paper, but will it work for your team or will it be a waste of money? Find out by going beyond marketing claims and putting tools through hands-on testing. 

Here’s how to make that process count:
**Book demos and ask the right questions** – Most vendors offer demos of their task management software tools, but don’t just sit through a sales pitch. Bring real scenarios from your team’s workflow and ask how the tool handles them. Can it quickly track task progress, manage assigned tasks, and support real-time collaboration?

**Get the right people involved** – A tool shouldn’t just be chosen by leadership or IT. Include team members who will use it daily, from project leads to individual contributors. They’ll have valuable insights on whether the tool actually simplifies tasks or just adds another layer of work.

**Test with a real project** – Set up a small but meaningful project during the trial. Create task lists, assign work, and track completion. Does the tool help the team stay organized, or do they find themselves defaulting to email, sticky notes, or spreadsheets instead?

**Compare usability across different roles** – A good task management app should work for different workflows. Does it make sense for both managers tracking progress and team members handling daily tasks? Can it adapt to both structured kanban boards and flexible lists?

**Assess long-term fit** – A tool that works well for a small business today should also scale as the team grows. Check if it allows custom workflows, integrates with project management software, and offers features your team needs to prioritise tasks.

**Evaluate customer support** – Even the best tools come with a learning curve. Does the vendor offer onboarding, training, or customer support that helps teams get up to speed quickly?

A good tool shouldn’t feel like something you have to fight with. Taking the time to test tools properly will help you avoid frustration (and costly mistakes) down the road.

## Comparing the Most Popular Task Management Tools
Now that you have a clear idea of what to look for in a task management system, let’s see how the most popular tools stack up. Some platforms shine when it comes to staying organized and tracking task progress, while others focus on real-time collaboration or offer deep customization for complex workflows.
Below, we compare some of the leading task management software tools, breaking down their strengths, potential drawbacks, and how they support effective task management.

![Comparison table of task management tools, Monday.com, Trello, Notion, ClickUp, OneNote, Asana, and WEDO, highlighting features like task lists, kanban view, task dependencies, subtasks, collaboration, meeting management, file sharing, and data hosting.](https://wedo-assets.sos-ch-gva-2.exo.io/How_to_Choose_the_Right_Task_Management_Tool_for_Your_Team_en_34ea7daf49.png)

## Choosing with Confidence
While all the tools in this comparison help teams stay organized and manage assigned tasks, the right choice comes down to how your team actually works. Some platforms excel at simple task tracking, while others offer deep customization or structured project management, but the best task management system is the one that simplifies work instead of adding complexity.

Whether you're running a small business, managing a fast-growing team, or coordinating large-scale projects, picking a tool that fits your workflow will help your team complete tasks efficiently, not waste time wrestling with software.

Need a tool that connects tasks, meetings, and follow-ups without the chaos? [Try WEDO for free](https://wedo.com/signup) today and see how it makes teamwork effortless.




Discover how to choose the best task management tool for your team and compare top options to find the perfect fit for your workflow.

Team members use a task management tool during a meeting to work on a shared project.

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How to Choose the Right Task Management Tool for Your Team

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.

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

::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.

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

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

Productivity

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