I hear this a lot. How much of our time spent in meetings is productive time? A recent study suggests that most of it isn’t productive….at all. In fact, across all of the companies in the research study below, the most beneficial results came when companies restricted meetings to two days per week. Yes, you read that right, three days out of five are completely meeting free…every week.
Some people in the study reported that they deliberately filled out their diary with meetings, to show that they were busy… and then the pressure is to double book, even triple book. This led to mistrust, as managers began to ask which meetings were actually happening.
Any of this sound familiar?
Now, context is obviously important here but it does raise the question of whether a meeting is always the best way of moving a project or issue forwards. Here are some of the tips that I give to my HR consultancy clients:
Is there a clear purpose for the meeting? This sounds obvious, but how many meetings are scheduled as general catch-ups, or because they have become part of the furniture (perhaps outgrowing the purpose for which they were initially set-up).
Is this an issue that would benefit from an exchange of ideas and views? If so, be clear on the problem or issue and ensure that everyone is given airtime to speak (not just those with the loudest voices and styles).
Do I simply want to deliver information? If so, could this be sent out in a different way or recorded with follow-up Q&A opportunities managed in an efficient manner? And, who actually needs to receive this information….everyone or a select group?
Afraid I don’t have time to write any more….I have a meeting to get to.