Have you ever had a moment at work when you’ve thought, “Does this really call for a meeting?”
If you haven’t, you should start. Because if you’ve ever been in a meeting that didn’t go anywhere, you know how much of a waste of time it can be.
Not only can they be a huge time and productivity suck, they’re also expensive! Add up the hourly wage of everyone attending, and multiply that by the amount of hours you spend together, and you’ll get a quick idea of just how much money your company is losing.
So, before you add something else to your co-worker’s calendars or accept an invite from someone, take a moment to think it through. Could this meeting be more productive as an email? Would your weekly staff meeting be better served over instant message? Or, could walking up to someone’s desk and asking them a question solve the whole thing?
Of course, there are times when a meeting can be super beneficial. If, in the end, you decide a meeting is definitely the way to go, then do some prep beforehand. Make sure it’s the most effective gathering possible. Invite the right people. Lay out an agenda. Keep it short and sweet.
And if you’re still not sure whether a meeting is worth throwing onto the schedule, this infographic will help you decide.
