Seth Godin on how work and meeting dynamics have shifted due to the proliferation of Powerpoint-driven content:

If you have something to show us, send it before the meeting. If there’s a memo, we can read it in advance, or afterward. In fact, if the memo is really important, simply pause the meeting while we all take two minutes to read it. We know how to read.

I’ve been doing this for a while and find the most productive meetings start with a detailed pre-read. Give people the appropriate context before the meeting so they can come prepared to discuss the topic intelligently, ask the tough questions, and make the most informed decisions.

A meeting brief or memo requires people to read (a fleeting skill, I know!), but reading requires people to think and comprehend and formulate thought. And those are the things we want, er need, informing our work.