Start before the meeting, not after it
Meeting notes capture what happened. Preparation asks a different question: what do I need to know before walking in? A useful brief can surface the purpose of the meeting, what you promised last time and which decisions are still open.
The calendar title alone often does not explain enough. We work out which messages or documents genuinely belong with a meeting, rather than joining together everything mentioning the same person.
Make context visible without inventing an agenda
The brief should distinguish facts from suggestions. A confirmed meeting time comes from the calendar. A proposed question is labelled as something you may want to ask. If an agenda is missing, the assistant should say so.
- Meeting time, participants and the source calendar entry.
- Relevant correspondence or documents you have permitted it to use.
- Open commitments and suggested preparation questions.
Choose a delivery time that helps you act
An evening preview can give you time to find a document or clarify an agenda. A short morning version can help you spot changes. We agree how rescheduled and cancelled meetings are handled, and test time zones when your calendar crosses countries.
One client uses an evening preview of tomorrow's calendar in a setup I support. Your version starts with the format and timing that suit your own working day.
Illustrative example
Example first project: the next client review
An illustrative pilot covers a recurring client meeting whose preparation is scattered between the calendar and an email thread.
- Choose the calendar entry and agreed sources for that client review.
- Prepare a brief with the meeting details, open items and links to those sources.
- Compare it with your usual preparation and correct missing or irrelevant context.
What we would agree first: The brief supports your preparation. It does not confirm the accuracy of client documents or make decisions on your behalf.
Questions you may have
Does this require recording my meetings?
No. A preparation brief can use calendar entries and selected messages or documents. Recording or transcription would be a separately agreed addition.
Can the preview arrive the evening before?
Yes. We agree a time, delivery method and approach to late calendar changes. The setup should make clear when its information was last checked.
What happens when there is no agenda?
The brief should show that the agenda is missing. It can suggest preparation questions, clearly labelled as suggestions, for you to review.