Why are Some Meetings a Waste of Time?
Why are some meetings a waste of time?
Many meetings are often a waste of time because:
- The meeting was held "out of habit".
- The meeting lacked a definite purpose.
- Too many people, or the wrong people, were invited to attend.
- There was no proper agenda.
- The meeting was badly chaired and went off-topic.
- The conversation was chaotic.
- The delegates were ill-prepared.
- The delegates' attitudes were negative.
- The decision was deferred again, and so the meeting achieved nothing of value.
- 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:
- Meetings should not be called out of habit.
- All meetings should be held in order to achieve a definite purpose.
- Only a minimum number should attend, and they should be the right people.
- There should be a written agenda.
- A competent chair person should run the meeting and keep things on track.
- The conversation should be ordered, systematised and kept on track, by the chairperson.
- The delegates should prepare themselves by finding, organising and bringing the information that is necessary to make the final decision.
- The delegates should strive to attend the meeting with their CAN-DO attitude switched on.
- Don't dither. Make the decision. Recognise that decisions must be made in the light of incomplete and uncertain knowledge.
- 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
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How can I better delegate
Delegation is vital because you cannot do it all. You don't have the time, the energy, or the knowledge to do it all. And even if you did, you should still delegate some tasks as a means of training others and developing their range of skills.
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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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How to Stop Procrastinating
The act of procrastinating means you are wasting valuable time, when you could be investing that time in doing something worthwhile or improving yourself. Use these simple strategies to overcome procrastination and take back control of your day.
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Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead
Planning ahead is the best way to improve your time management skills. Planning ahead is the best way to maximise your personal effectiveness. Planning ahead will allow you to make more progress, in less time and effort.
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What is the Action Priority Matrix?
Prioritise your work using the Action Priority Matrix method and instead of filling your day with trivial tasks, you will accomplish more of the work that really matters.
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