In this BNI Education Slot, Gail Biddulph delivers a clear and impactful message about the importance of meeting etiquette and the role it plays in shaping both individual reputation and overall meeting effectiveness.
She begins by highlighting a familiar scenario: a member exceeding their allocated time while the bell rings repeatedly in the background. While this may seem like a small issue, Gail explains that it sends a powerful negative message to the room. It suggests a lack of respect for others, poor time management and even selfishness.
More significantly, she notes that overrunning can completely undermine the value of the presentation itself. Regardless of how strong the content may have been, the lasting impression becomes one of frustration rather than appreciation.
Gail emphasises that this behaviour doesn’t just affect timekeeping—it impacts reputation. Within a BNI environment, where relationships and trust are critical, these small moments can influence how other members perceive and engage with you.
She then introduces three key elements of effective meeting etiquette.
The first is being present. This goes beyond simply attending the meeting; it involves actively listening, engaging with others and showing genuine attentiveness.
The second is bringing the right energy into the room. Gail warns against being a “mood hoover” – someone who drains energy rather than contributes positively. The energy each member brings plays a crucial role in the overall atmosphere and productivity of the meeting.
The third is maintaining flow. Keeping within allocated time and contributing in a way that supports the structure of the meeting ensures that everything runs smoothly and respectfully.
Gail concludes by encouraging members to focus on these three principles in their next 60-second presentation: presence, energy and flow. By doing so, they can enhance not only their own impact but also the experience of everyone in the room.
Full Transcript
0:16
The one thing that you never, ever want to hear… [bell] …last orders.
0:23
Last orders. Absolutely.
0:28
But that is so true, isn’t it? In your 60 seconds—or even 10 minutes—when you get to that point and somebody is energetically dinging the bell and telling you to sit down…
0:43
What does that do? What does that actually say to the room?
0:47
If you think about it in terms of meeting etiquette and what actually goes into the meeting…
0:58
[bell ringing] I won’t do it again.
1:04
That actually says you can’t follow timings. You are quite rude, you take up everybody else’s space…
1:11
…and it can come across as quite selfish.
1:22
It can even completely wipe away the 60 seconds, 4 minutes, or 10 minutes that you’ve just delivered…
1:30
…because everybody is then thinking, “She’s taking my time—I want breakfast!”
1:37
You only need three or four people to feel like that, and suddenly you’ve lost a huge amount of value.
1:45
Time is important—but even more importantly, it damages your reputation here at BNI.
1:52
And we all want to grow, build, and develop.
2:01
So, if we think about meeting etiquette, there are probably three things we need to consider.
2:01
The first is being present—being attentive, actually listening to people.
2:11
It’s different from just sitting there.
2:17
The second is bringing the right energy into the room.
2:21
Someone who is a “mood hoover” isn’t bringing the right etiquette.
2:26
And the third is how we keep things flowing.
2:30
Which brings me back to what we never want to hear… [bell]
2:36
So perhaps, in our 60 seconds today, our aim can be to keep our energy, keep our presence, keep our flow…
2:45
…and avoid [bell].
2:50
Thank you.
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