Meetings. You, and everyone else on the planet, wish we had less of them. The best way to handle meetings is to get through them as efficiently as possible. Try not to resort to making paper airplanes from the hand-outs and avoid sending e-mail about other projects. Focus is the key.

Set the Agenda
Start by writing a brief agenda for the meeting, so that attendees know what to expect. Agendas, like a teacher's lesson plan, can help keep you and your co-workers focused on the task. They also provide a handy reason to rope in unruly co-workers who want to rattle on about their weekend plans. Just say, "ah, that's off the agenda" and smile a lot.

You can use your Windows Mobile powered Pocket PC to prepare the agenda even if you're out of the office. Use your commute time on the bus or train, or your downtime at the coffee shop.

To create an agenda template

• Tap Start > Pocket Word.
• Tap New. A new document opens.
• Enter your agenda template content, and then tap OK. Pocket Word saves the file.
• Tap and hold the new file and select Create Copy. Pocket Word creates a copy of the file with the original file name and (1) after it.
• Tap and hold the copied file and select Rename. Enter the name of an upcoming meeting, and then tap OK.
• Tap the file name to open it. Enter the agenda items for the meeting.

Once your agenda is just the way you want it, send it using your Windows Mobile powered device with wireless access, or sync up to your desktop computer when you're back in the office.

Take Notes
Throw away your spiral notebook and leaky pen. Take notes on your Windows Mobile powered device using Notes or Pocket Word. Prolific writers will want to bring along their wireless IrDA or Bluetooth keyboard. Talkers can record their thoughts as they think them, and doodlers can jot down their thoughts in Notes.

Taking notes with your Windows Mobile powered device is less intrusive than using a laptop. You won't have to retype notes written by hand, just sync up with your desktop computer when you return to the office. Your notes aren't 'lost' in a paper mess on your desk, they're easily searchable, and they can be integrated into other notes in Microsoft OneNote.

The notes program allows you to use a pre-formatted template for meeting notes.

To set up a default template for meeting notes

• Tap New > Note. A new note opens. Tap OK to close the note.
• Tap Tools > Options. Select Meeting Notes from the Default template list, and then tap OK. When you create a new Note, it will automatically open in the meeting notes template.

Virtual Meetings
People are traveling less these days. They don't always appear in person for your meeting. How can you include virtual team members in a meeting using your Smartphone or Pocket PC?

• Send important docs that you've loaded onto your wireless Pocket PC before the meeting by e-mail.
• Use the speakerphone on your Audiovox SMT 5600 for absent colleagues who want to join the meeting.
• Use Pocket SlideShow or Pocket Slides for your presentation.
• Use your Pocket PC to practice your PowerPoint presentation on the way to the meeting.

Out There
MS Portrait is a research project from Microsoft Research that allows you to see real-time video of your co-workers and colleagues on your Windows Mobile powered device, if you attach a camera.

Source: microsoft.com