Although technology is affecting the way organizations conduct business, there still remains a need to pay attention to good business meeting practices. Based on observations of the meeting practices of a business firm, a consultant found several areas in which meetings can be made more productive. The purpose of the meeting should be defined. Meetings for the sake of company ritual should be avoided. They should be convened to gain commitment or exchange information interactively. One-way giving of information can be accomplished better and less expensively with written memos or electronic mail. The meeting should be kept small, preferably five to seven members, but never more than eleven. Participants should be limited to those who really need to be there. In terms of interaction, the meeting should be structured in advance, with a complete agenda for participants that is used judiciously and flexibly. Meetings should be kept under one hour, if at all possible, and should start and end on time. Finally, businesses should explore technology offering computer and group decision support systems that can have a beneficial impact on how and why meetings are conducted. (HTH)