Why are Some Meetings a Waste of Time?

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Why are some meetings a waste of time?

Many meetings are often a waste of time because:

1. The meeting was held "out of habit".
2. The meeting lacked a definite purpose.
3. Too many people, or the wrong people, were invited to attend.
4. There was no proper agenda.
5. The meeting was badly chaired and went off-topic.
6. The conversation was chaotic.
7. The delegates were ill-prepared.
8. The delegates' attitudes were negative.
9. The decision was deferred again, and so the meeting achieved nothing of value.
10. The cost of the meeting was more than its value.

Learn how to chair a successful meeting.

How to make meetings more efficient

In order to fix the problem that meetings are a waste of time, remember the following:

1. Meetings should not be called out of habit.
2. All meetings should be held in order to achieve a definite purpose.
3. Only a minimum number should attend, and they should be the right people.
4. There should be a written agenda.
5. A competent chair person should run the meeting and keep things on track.
6. The conversation should be ordered, systematised and kept on track, by the chairperson.
7. The delegates should prepare themselves by finding, organising and bringing the information that is necessary to make the final decision.
8. The delegates should strive to attend the meeting with their CAN-DO attitude switched on.
9. Don't dither. Make the decision. Recognise that decisions must be made in the light of incomplete and uncertain knowledge.
10. Ensure the value of the meeting outweighs its cost.

To calculate the hidden cost of your meetings, try this brilliant Cost of Meetings App.

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Further Reading in Time Management

• Time Management Training Tips - Early Bird Catches the Worm
  The early bird catches the worm Time management is the art of getting the most valuable work done per hour. It is not about trying to make yourself work harder and longer. It is about making more progress in less time. Time management is a measure of your efficiency. So you...
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• How can I manage my time better?
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• Why are some meetings a waste of time?
  Do you feel meetings are a waste of time? Here are some tips to help you decide whether a meeting should be held and an app to help you calculate the approximate cost of the meeting.
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• What are the best time management training principles?
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• The Avoidance of Preventable Errors
  No one is perfect, we are only human, and as such we make stupid mistakes. However, there are some steps we can take to eliminate them.
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