AOB: The Biggest Meeting Mistake (and How to Avoid It!)
What Does AOB Mean, and Why Can It Be a Pitfall?
AOB?” It often shows up at the end of a meeting agenda — short for Any Other Business. It sounds harmless, like a space for quick wrap-up topics. But in practice, it can derail your meeting, extend the session unnecessarily, or introduce unexpected discussions.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what AOB really means, why it often causes problems, and how to avoid letting this vague agenda item take over your meeting.
Common Mistakes with AOB
🔴 Lack of structure – Everyone spontaneously brings up topics without clarity on who will handle what. .
🔴 Overlong discussions – A "small point" turns into an endless debate with no concrete outcome.
🔴 No minutes taken – Since these are ad-hoc topics, they often aren't properly documented.
🔴 No prioritization – Important topics receive too little time, while trivial matters get too much attention.
How to Use AOB Effectively
✅ Limit the topics – Discuss only truly urgent matters.
✅ Set a time limit – A maximum of 5 minutes per topic prevents endless conversations.
✅ Submit topics in advance – Use a shared document like Google Docs where participants can note AOB items.
✅ Formulate concrete action points – Don't just discuss the problem; immediately note a solution or action item.
By effective note-taking you ensure that all discussed topics are recorded and followed up on.
Alternatives to AOB
Looking for a smarter approach to miscellaneous agenda items? Try these alternatives:
-
Roundtable – A brief agenda item where only quick questions are asked, without room for lengthy discussions.
-
Separate brainstorming session – Gather miscellaneous topics and schedule a separate session for them.
-
Online discussion platform – Use Slack, Teams, or a shared document for miscellaneous ideas and updates.
-
Schedule a fixed time –
Why a Structured AOB Works Better
A smart approach to AOB prevents time-wasting and keeps the energy high. It ensures:
✨ Clearer action points
✨ Faster decision-making
✨ More focus in meetings
Frequently Asked Questions About AOB
🧐 What does the abbreviation AOB mean?
AOB stands for "Any Other Business" and is used as a catch-all for other agenda items.
🧐 What is the difference between AOB and the roundtable?
The roundtable is brief and intended for quick questions, while AOB often includes broader topics.
🧐 Is it wise to eliminate AOB from meetings?
That depends on the organization. If it consumes too much time and yields little, an alternative approach may work better.
🧐 How do you make AOB items minutable?
By introducing structure in advance and recording concrete action points, it's easier to accurately document the discussed topics.
🚀 With this approach, AOB becomes not chaos, but a valuable part of your meeting!